In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to make doll pants for your cloth doll. These are also called pantaloons. They are traditionally worn under a dress as an undergarment. And, pantaloons aren’t “poofed” out like bloomers which are gathered toward the bottom of the legs. You’ll notice quickly that this tutorial on how to make doll pants helps you to create simple pantaloons quickly for your new primitive doll.
How to Make Doll Pants – Pantaloon Style
Some rag doll patterns and primitive doll patterns don’t include an actual pattern for doll pants. Instead, they tell you how long and tall the piece of material should be. And then, it will have directions or diagrams for how to sew the pantaloons. This tutorial is like that but we’ve provided you with additional help with photos and more details.
Before you start, get your fabric ready. Launder your fabric to remove sizing and let it shrink to prevent puckered seams. If you want a primitive look, stain your fabric before and/or after. We have several stain tutorials for you here.
Step One: Cutting Fabric for Pants
To start making your doll pants, cut a piece of material the length and width indicated in the pattern. If your pattern is missing this, you can measure your doll’s body. Start at the doll’s waist and measure the length to the knee length. I add an extra 1/4 to 1/2 inch to have enough to fold down along the waist. And, if I want s seems on the pant leg I’ll add 1/4 inch for that. Also, measure the length of the leg from the knee to where you sewed on the legs. This length will help you know where to mark to cut and sew the pant legs.
Next measure across the doll’s body to find the width for the pants. Using your measurement, cut a piece of fabric: double the width plus 3 inches (the extra gives you some room to gather the waist later) by the measured length.
Take your rectangle of cut fabric and fold in half width-wise with the right side of the fabric facing itself. Think of it as a pair of pants inside out.
Step Two: Sew Pants
Sew up the side about 1/4″ from your fabric’s edge (see the green marking in the photo).
Move your seam to the middle of the top layer. Next, using the leg length measure you took earlier, mark along the seam where the pants leg holes should begin. When I do this I use a washable marker and ruler to run a line up one side of the seam, across the middle, and down the other side. I create a 1/4″ seam guide to sew along and create the pant legs.
Sew up one side close to the seam, across a few stitches, and back down the other side using your markings.
Cut between the stitching making sure to clip the corners carefully close to, but through the sewn seams. I cut it in a small triangle in the pant’s crotch area to prevent the pants from looking puckered along the seams.
Step 3: Finishing Doll Pants Pantaloon Style
Turn loons right side out and hand sew a running/gathering stitch around the waist (see red thread) with a strong thread. I like to use a cotton crochet thread because it doesn’t break easily when it’s pulled. If, I’ve included extra waist room I fold the top down a 1/4 to 1/2 inch before stitching along the waist. And, if I want a finished edge on the pant legs I’ll fold them in a 1/4 inch and hand stitch them with regular cotton sewing thread to match the fabric.
Put them on your doll and tie up the waist thread tight. Adjust any gathered to lay evenly around the doll’s waist.
In conclusion, I just want to say even a beginner can make these pants. Don’t hurry and you’ll have created cut little pantaloons for your primitive doll. Now you’re ready to make a dress: How to Make a Doll Dress
Here are some doll patterns designers that I enjoy using their patterns:
