Wondering how to make pants less baggy? Time for a DIY Jogger pants step by step tutorial! I made a pair of True Bias Hudson pants when I was pregnant and have been wearing them like crazy. Instead of sewing more pairs from scratch, I looked to my “donate” pile first. Shirts seem to be the hot item to sew but I’m going to throw a jogger pants refashion tutorial into the mix.
These grey pants are so comfy and have awesome big pockets but I find myself not wearing them because they get so filthy with the hems dragging on the floor while I chase my son- so I decided to refashion them into slimmer, cuffed pants. It’s a pretty easy fix and I’m sharing the jogger refashion tutorial below so you can make yourself a pair.
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Check out my top 5 tips for shopping to refashion or upcycle for ideas on shopping a thrift store or your own closet strategically! If you already have pants to makeover, read my tips for actually sewing refashions here!
The before – comfy but not cutting it.
The after! Comfy, cozy joggers with a pop of purple (my favorite color!)
DIY Jogger pants step by step tutorial
Supplies
- Pins
- Sharp scissors
- A sewing machine (use a stretch stitch, it looks like a lightning bold or a triple stitch) or serger – I love my Brother 1034d*
- 1/4 yard of knit ribbing for the new cuff – this is a super stretchy fabric like you’d find on most cuffs or tshirt collars, here is an example of knit ribbing fabric*. You can also find it at Jo-Ann Fabrics, sometimes it comes in a “tube” form and can be easy to miss so ask a sales person.
Step 1
Lay a pair of joggers that you like the fit of over top of your sweat pants. If you don’t already own a pair, you can eyeball the curve, arching out from the crotch seam. Make sure both pairs of pants are laid completely flat, you can match the outseams but I didn’t because both pants had stylistic curves. Use pins to follow along the new seam you’ll be creating and sew a basting (long stitch length) stitch just outside your pinned line.
Try them on! Make sure that there aren’t any tucks, folds, and that you like the fit. Use a regular stretch stitch on your sewing machine or a serger to make the new seam permanent and trim the excess off.
Step 2
Lay the excess piece on the other leg and pin outside of it, repeat with the basting, trying on, and finishing the seam.
You could stop here if you like the look! I wanted to add a cuff, so keep reading.
Step 3
Sorry, feet shot, but use a pin and mark the desired length. Remember that you’ll be adding length with your cuff. Cut off the excess length.
Step 4
Lay the excess piece you just cut off the hems and cut the side seam so it’s flat. You can use this to gauge the length of your cuff. When cutting your cuff, remember that the stretch needs to go from side to side, not up and down; ribbed knit is the best type of fabric to use. I cut my cuff about an inch shorter than the leg’s opening.
Step 5
Remembering which way the stretch needs to go, sew up the vertical side with a stretch stitch or a serger. Pull one edge up over itself so the wrong side of the seams are touching each other and all the edges match up.
Step 6
Making sure your pants are right side out (not inside out), pull the cuff up so all raw edges are aligned. Sew with a stretch stitch or serger around them, gently stretching the ribbing to fit.
Step 7
Repeat all steps to create another cuff and do the next leg. Ta-da! You’re done.
Pin this DIY Jogger pants step by step tutorial with this link or the photo below:
ruth croft says
” I LOVE LEARNING “
Linda Barnett says
This is a fantastic repurposing idea. I have bought sweat bottoms that were just there, and I was freezing at home. The style I like is what you changed your pants to look like. Thanks for your idea, and I’m definitely going to try your great idea out. After all why buy a new pair if you can just change it slightly and make what you want. Sincerely, Linda B.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks so much Linda! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Rebecca R. Reus says
Can you make a list of required items at the top? I don’t have a lot of the right equipment for this project, but I didn’t figure it out until a few steps in. I had to set the project aside and look into getting a serger (which, I don’t even know what that is). I have a very limited sewing machine, and I’m willing to make the commitment to go out and get new materials. But it would be a lot easier to deal with that if you listed the required ingredients at the top (like in a recipe), so that I know what I need to get before I start. Please? It would be such a big help for me! Especially if you have recommendations for what serger to buy, etc.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hey Rebecca!
I did edit and add a supply list – in this particular instance, I think anyone who sews clothes would have everything on hand, but I added it just in case! I say in the post that you can use a sewing machine – I own a serger but it is definitely not necessary. Sorry that that threw you off – please let me know if you have any other questions!
Rebecca R. Reus says
Hi again! Thanks for the reply. I am a college student with not much space, so I have a tiny 1-stitch sewing machine with 2 speeds. I’ve mostly used it for hemming pants and dresses. It works okay, but I’m worried about how it will hold up with something like modifying the seams of my sweatpants (which I really want to do! I love your idea). Since I don’t have stretch-stitch for my sewing machine, do you recommend that I purchase a serger, or should I just buy a sewing machine with a stretch stitch included? I can’t afford to buy both a better sewing machine and also serger, so it has to be one or the other. From the little research I’ve done, sergers look more expensive, but people say the serger seams look more professional. Could I get by with having a nice serger for things like this project and my silly 1-stitch sewing machine for everything else, or should I just get the better sewing machine? Thank you so much for your help!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Oh man, I don’t think I can even picture a 1-stitch sewing machine! I love love love having a serger, but a sewing machine will be WAY more versatile. No one “needs” a serger – and there are lots of things it can’t do, that you might want to do eventually like make a button hole, sew in a zipper, etc. Does that make sense? There are lots of tricks to hiding seams or finishing them in a way that you can’t see them, too, if you get to that point. This is a great, entry-level sewing machine that I recommend a lot: http://amzn.to/2gu8oYP (affiliate link). All of my machines are Brother and I think they’re great!