Bubble Capri Tutorial

With spring just around the corner, I've been making a few things for my Etsy shop, and these Bubble Capri pants are one of them. I just love toddlers in capri pants, and the bubble hem is just an extra touch of cuteness. I've included a tutorial on how to start from scratch and make your own pattern, as well as how to assemble the pants. 

Bam! 

How stinking adorable, right?!


I went with a jersey knit, with a crazy polka dot print I've had in my stash for a year or so, and never knew what to do with it. It was on super-amazing-clearance-sale, so of course I had to get about 4 yards (rational, right?) and promptly stow it away in my fabric stash.

It has seen the light.

What you'll need for this nap-time sewing project are:

• an existing pair of loose-fitting pants
• 1/4 to 1/2 yard of fabric (jersey, lightweight knit, & linens are great for spring/summer)
• 1" elastic (measure around the waist +1")
• 1/4" elastic (measure around the calf +1", x2)
• sewing supplies
• paper if you'd like to make a pattern piece

Making the Pattern:

You can make your pattern piece from an existing pair of loose fitting pants. Fold the existing pants in half, making sure to pull that crotch/tooshie seam nice and flat. Lay your fabric smoothly out, and fold it as wide as your existing pants. Place the straight side of the pants about 1/2" away from the folded edge of the fabric (or piece of paper for a paper pattern).

Because I did capris, I just folded the legs up a few inches.

Cut your fabric or mark your paper around the outline of the pants, about 1" wider, to allow room for seam allowance and bubble-ness. Don't forget to include at least 1" for the waistband! 

Cutting the Pattern & FabricIf you're making a paper pattern, mark your pattern for placement along the fold, as well as for cutting two pieces. If you just cut your fabric, go ahead and remove the existing pants and cut a second panel from the new fabric. These will be your left side and right side of the pants. 

Sew: Center Front & Back Seams

If you've never made pants or shorts before, right about now, you're probably looking at this wondering what you got yourself into. I'd never steer you wrong, folks.

Open both pieces, and place them right-side to right-side, and it'll look like the above photo. Note the labels... you're going to sew the center front (and back) seams. Pin from the waist (at the top), along the edge, down to the point and stop. Do this on the other side also. 

  

A note about sewing jersey and other stretchy/frayable knits...  I don't have a serger (boo hoo), but you'll definitely want to use one if you've got one just for your own sanity. I typically sew my stretch knits with the stretch knit setting on my machine, however today (of course) it was uncooperative. Since it was nap-time and these are just for Lillian, I didn't care and just went the route of a regular stitch. In either case, I always zig-zag my edges for neatness. 

Anyway, sew from the waist to the crotch, where you've pinned, making sure you STOP AT THE POINT. Repeat on the other side. Trim up any stragglers.

Sew: Inseams

Unfold your pants, matching the center seams. See the pants? Trust!

You'll want to pin the legs and sew up one, down the other. Don't forget to zig-zag and trim up loose ends. If you like, you can reinforce the crotch area. I typically will do an extra zig-zag in there, just to be on the safe side. These are pretty loose pants, so it's not totally necessary. If you're doing leggings, I'd definitely reinforce.

Hems & Waistband
In a perfect world, I would have done the following to ensure a super neat finish:
Turn the waistband (repeat on legs) under 1/4", press.
Turn the waistband under another 1" (only 1/2" on legs), press.

But I didn't because I was running out of precious time.

I did however:
Turn the waistband under 1 1/2", press.
Turn the legs under 1/2", press.

Pin, pin, pin.

Sew the hems, making sure to leave about a 1" opening at some point on the waistband (I usually do the back center seam, so it's better hidden), and a 1/2" opening on the inside seams of the legs to insert the elastic through. 

Inserting Elastic
Use a safety pin through the end of the elastic, and feed it through the opening and casing. Make sure the elastic lays flat in there! You can also pin the other end of the elastic down, so it doesn't get lost inside. Do this in the waist and both legs.

Once you've got the elastic through, overlap the ends 1" and pin. At this point, you can try the pants on your model, and make adjustments to the elastic as needed. 

Close It Up

On your machine, choose a zig-zag stitch and sew the elastic closed. Repeat, repeat.

Finally, using your regular stitch, close the openings you left for the elastic. Trim up loose threads and seams, and you're done!

Turn them right-side out. Ta da!

 Try them on your little one!

Now that you have a pattern made, you can add variety!

Liiiiiike...long pants, shorts, regular capris, or even add a bubble hem to long pants and shorts. Oh my gosh.

Don't forget, the scraps make cute headbands.

Don't forget, I'll have these listed in my Etsy shop soon, but the tutorial will always be here, and be free! 

I'd absolutely love to see some that you've made!

This is partying over at...