Welcome to sewing for boys month on the blog! It’s been a while since I’ve showcased stuff I’ve made for my guys here, so all month long we’re going to be focusing on them. And can I say, y’all, that I love the current fashion sweatpants trend? It’s the perfect warm and comfy look and I will be sad one day when it is declared out of style. My boys wanted in on the trend too (they look at my boys fashion Pinterest board with me sometimes to give me ideas) and so today I’m sharing the Slim Sweats pattern – a pair of boys sweatpants that’s super easy to sew with just enough detailing to be right on trend.
Also, they’re perfect for a game of basketball with your brother. So perfect that if your older brother is skinny he might steal a pair of yours.
To make the Slim Sweats you’ll need:
- 2/3 yd of sweatshirt fleece or other knit fabric (at least 10% stretch).
- 2/3 yd of rib knit fabric
- 22 inches of 1 inch wide elastic.
- The pattern, see below
How to Get the Pattern
The pattern is in a kids size 5. If you need to make the pattern bigger or smaller, check out this post. To get this pattern, click your preferred option from the buttons below as a newsletter subscriber or gallery access pass purchaser. Note that the free version of the pattern does not have printable instructions.
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Please note that all my free patterns are licensed for personal use only (no selling items made from this unless you purchase it) and by downloading you are agreeing to this license.
Tape your pattern together and cut it out. Need help with PDF Patterns? See this post.
Place the cargo flap pieces right sides together with the lining (I used some thinner scrap knit i had for lining; you could even use woven fabric here). Sew around the edges of the flap, leaving an opening in the top straight seam. Clip the corners. Turn the flap right side out and press. Topstitch if desired. Repeat with other flap. (Note: pockets do not have to be sewn with a stretch stitch)
Fold the cargo pockets right sides together and stitch the pleat for about 1/2 inch. Open, press pleat flat, then pin the pocket to the lining. Stitch around, leaving an opening on one side to turn the pocket. Clip corners, turn pocket and press. Repeat with other pocket.
Stitch pockets in place, making sure to backstitch at beginning and end.
Stitch flaps on top of pockets.
Sew along the seam marking for the mock fly. Use a basting stitch from the top to the red box in the image below, then backstitch, then switch to a zig-zag or other stretch stitch length for the remaining seam.
Need help with sewing knits? See this post.
Open the pants with the wrong side up. Fold the flap over to the left and stitch along the fly curve. Make sure your bobbin thread is the color you want, as this stitching will show on the front side.
Use a seam ripper to remove the basting stitches and complete the mock fly.
Sew the back rise using a stretch stitch.
Fold the pants right sides together so that you can match the crotch seams. Pin them and the inseams as well, then sew both inseams in one long seam, using a stretch stitch. Turn the pants right side out.
Fold the waistband in half, matching the short edges. Stitch, using a stretch stitch.
Fold the cuffs in half, right sides together, PERPENDICULAR to the fold line and match the raw edges. Sew the side seam. Fold on the fold line and match the raw edges, creating a tube. Place this tube around the leg of the pants, matching the seams. Sew with a stretch stitch through all 3 layers (2 cuff layers and 1 pant layer). You will need to stretch the cuff slightly to fit.
Apply the waistband in the same manner as the cuffs, EXCEPT leave an opening to insert elastic.
Using a safety pin through the end of the elastic, insert it in the waistband, being careful not to twist. Sew the elastic ends together, overlapping 1 inch. (Note – you may want to check the elastic length on your own child. For Bean I had to shorten my elastic to 20 inches before sewing). Sew the opening of the waistband closed and you’re done!
Now throw on those sweats and find a pickup game. Preferably in the mud.
Ethel Davila
I just want to tell you “THANK YOU” FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND GENEROSITY!
http://mellysews.com/2015/02/zinnia-jacket-sew-charleston-blank-slate-sewing-team.html
Linda Davis
These are absolutely the cutest. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Kristie
these are so great! I love when you showcase your boy sewing. There is so much girl sewing, but never enough boy sewing! Thanks for the pattern!
Donna
Love when your feature sewing for boys! Love the style with the fly front and cargo pockets. Thank you so much for the free pattern.
Stephanie B
Loving these! My grandson is too little right know but I know how fast time passes! I need to make a few different sizes for the grandma box. 🙂
Thanks for shareing these with us!
Sharon
I totally agree with Kristie. Thanks for this pattern!!!
Margo
Those are really great! I think with just a little work, they’ll fit my 3 year old son. I’m so excited for your sewing for boys month!
Elizabeth
Wonderful! This is perfect for my boys–just the kind of thing they love to wear.
Sylvia
Thank you for the PDF pattern, for the Slim Sweats. I look forward to making them for my grandson.
Ari
Aw Melly these are so great!
Kristi Andres
Thank you so much! I sewed them up yesterday for my guy (he is a very slim size 5/6 so it was perfect) and I can’t wait to get them on him this morning. I left off the faux crotch and pockets, but they still look great!
Katie P
Just curious where you got your sweatshirt fabric from? I don’t know why I’m having so much trouble finding any!
Melissa Mora
The light gray is from an old pair of my sweatpants, I cut around the stains 🙂 The darker grey is sweatshirt fleece from Girl Charlee I believe.
Erin
Thanks! My son will love these!
Cindi
Awesome! I have two skinny grandsons lol. One will take the pattern as is for sure. The older one will just need it lengthened. And maybe a little bigger. He is a skinny 8 yr old lol.
Tomi
Thanks so much for these! These are so good – I made them for my 4 year old and they’re a great fit with room to grow. And I found the instructions so easy to follow. I’ll be making several more of these as he does a lot of sports and I prefer him in sweatpants rather than more restrictive trousers such as jeans. Thanks again!
Annique
Thanks a lot for thuis tutorial! I already made 2 pairs for my 5 year old boy. I added a little lenght. And they turned out perfect. He is so proud. I usually sew lots of things for his little sister. It is so hard to find Nice boys patterns.
Kind regards from the Netherlands
Sume Haumann
this is SUCH a great pattern!! a really easy sew with GREAT results!! I will def be making a few more! thank you SO much
Adje
Thank you (again) for the great patterns and the eye-opener to use old sweatpants!
Janet C
Thank you, Melissa. For your talents and knowledge to share with us, the sewing public!!!
Lauren Crawford
I have three boys and I’ve made these pants four times now!! I always want to sew the boys stuff for Christmas but I run out of time so I started early this year and just finished a pair of these for my youngest who is just three (but easily the size of a four year old). I made them out of two different colors of fleece and it works great.
Thank you so much!!
Karen Mitchell
These sweat pants were exactly perfect for my grandson last year. I’m making him a couple more pair but need the hips a little bigger this year. Length is easy to alter. Thanks for your help!