Making Stuff: Men’s Flannel Shirt to Baby Pants

by This is Carrie on March 30, 2011

After using the backs of men’s flannel shirts to make Baby Blankets and the fronts to make Baby Caps, I couldn’t let the sleeves go to waste.

These super cozy flannel pants are as comfortable as pajamas but cute enough to wear to church.

The shirt sleeves were a little short to cut out a 3-6 month pant with an all-in-one waist, so I used the shirt yoke to cut a separate waistband.

I gave these little pants a rib knit waist for uber comfort.

{ 23 comments }

Lynne March 30, 2011 at 6:54 am: I love these!! So cute. Thanks for the inspiration!
Louisa March 30, 2011 at 6:56 am: What a great idea!
Erin March 30, 2011 at 7:51 am: SOOOOO CUTE!!! I want to make some for my 18mo . You are so awesome!!
kelly jo March 30, 2011 at 8:12 am: Those are awesome! I’ve got baby-sewing jealousy! I’m due in 5 weeks and we’re moving too so the machines, fabrics, notions are all packed up and I can’t sew!!! But these are going on the list for sure!
Carlee Dynes March 30, 2011 at 8:20 am: These are so cute. I’m dying a little bit inside. I’ve done this with sweaters, but never flannel shirts. I’ll have to try.
elise March 30, 2011 at 8:33 am: did you use a pants pattern or just make it work? i’d love to make some of these! :O)

This is Carrie Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 3:21 pm
I made a little pattern based on some pants I had. But I decided to join the outseams so it is only 1 pattern piece (no side seam). Worked out perfectly. Maybe someday I’ll get the pattern online, but don’t hold your breath. I’ve been meaning to get the baby gown update with hand cuff up for forever and I can’t seem to get it published even though it’s all done and ready to scan.
Heidi K March 30, 2011 at 10:40 am: These are adorable! I really need to get myself some flannel shirts and make the hat, blanket, and pants.
Brittany March 30, 2011 at 12:25 pm: Brilliant!

Adding more words so my comment will be long enough to post.
Amy March 30, 2011 at 2:40 pm: This is awesome. I need to go through my husband’s clothes and see waht I can use. I also need to get my butt to a thrift store so that I can start up-cycling more.
Jayna Rae March 30, 2011 at 4:01 pm: I love them. I have used sweater sleeves before, but flannel shirts are even better. Thanks so much for a brilliant idea.
rachel March 30, 2011 at 5:15 pm: LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE!!!!!!!!! Did you use your own pattern? Or a storebought one?

This is Carrie Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 3:33 pm
I made a little pattern based on some pants I had. But I decided to join the outseams so it is only 1 pattern piece (no side seam). Worked out perfectly. Maybe someday I’ll get the pattern online, but don’t hold your breath. I’ve been meaning to get the baby gown update with hand cuff up for forever and I can’t seem to get it published even though it’s all done and ready to scan.
Jen G March 30, 2011 at 6:26 pm: Oh, I love these. They would be super cute as long shorts too for older babies, toddlers! I now have another thing to add to my list of things to look for at thrift stores!
jonita mortensen March 30, 2011 at 8:35 pm: These are absolutely precious.
DragonLady March 31, 2011 at 2:30 am: Wow. I’m really impressed. There was a topic about remaking adult clothing into items for children on Stitcher’s Guild a while back, and I stated I didn’t think it had many possibilities. Seeing what you’ve done here really opens my eyes. 😀

This is Carrie Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Oh Dragonlady! You’re killing me! The possibilities!!!! I have a pile three feet high o adult clothing just waiting to be turned into kids clothing. I hardly ever make anything anymore from scratch or from new fabric. Click on the “refashion” tab on the left sidebar and check out all my past projects.
Erin March 31, 2011 at 5:41 am: Those pants are so adorable!
Cheyenne March 31, 2011 at 10:49 am: Love these!! Super cute!! Please tell what pattern you used!!
MelanieO March 31, 2011 at 11:00 am: Oh my goodness! Love these!
Kristina L March 31, 2011 at 6:44 pm: Absolutely adorable! I keep hearing people say that little boys aren’t as much fun to dress as little girls, but after seeing these soft and cozy men’s shirt re-makes, I would have to disagree.
Kylie April 1, 2011 at 10:55 am: Oh my. Going to the thrift store. Like, NOW. I will definitely be doing some sewing this weekend!
Marie Campbell April 4, 2011 at 9:50 am: Oh you are killing me! These pants are so cute!
Jessica April 28, 2011 at 8:13 pm: These are so cute! I just had a baby in December and he doesn’t have many pants to wear to church. I really need to make him some of these. I was actually at the thrift store recently and saw all the flannel shirts and thought, “Ewwww, who is ever going to wear that!” But baby pants, Brilliant!!!!
McKenzie August 12, 2011 at 5:05 pm: Omg I love these. I am new to the sewing world. I wish you could post an explanation on how to make these!

This is Carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
Reply:
August 14th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Someday, I should do a tutorial (they take so long those tutorials!). For now, here is the short answer. Find a simple baby pants pattern with an elasstic waist. Cut the pants out of an old flannel shirt using the fronts and the back pieces (you might have to unpick front pockets to make the pieces fit). Then follow the instructions on the pattern to sew up the little pants! Good luck!
amy January 25, 2013 at 2:36 pm: Is there a tutorial for this? too cute!!

This is Carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
Reply:
January 26th, 2013 at 11:14 am
I haven’t done a tutorial, but if you can find a pattern for baby pants, just find the largest flannel shirt you can find and cut it out!