Bandanna Pants Tutorial

I made some of these cute bandanna pants a few years ago for a little friend. They were a bit too big then. A few weeks ago, I spied her wearing them--after I had forgotten all about them. Now a few more girlz in my hood would like a pair and maybe you would too. They are a perfect Make Something Now project because they only take about a half an hour to make.

The pattern was from a Martha Stewart Kids magazine (2002?). The directions are still posted on her website http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=9cf3ce908332f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default but there is no tutorial. I have also altered the rise (from her 8 inches to a more generous 10 inches). So here's my tute, which took longer to put together than the pants themselves.


You need two XL (27 inch) bandannas, thread, and twill tape or drawstring for waist. Wash the bandannas once or twice before you begin.


Match the bandannas right sides together. Bandannas are not perfectly square, so don't worry. Just match the edges, they'll work out fine. Pin down the left and right sides.

Now fold both bandanna in half lengthwise so that the pinned sides are on top of each other.

Prepare to cut the crotch: along the pinned edge, measure down 10 inches and mark.

Then measure to the right 1.5 inches. Mark the spot with an X.

Move to the top corner and measure in 2 inches. Mark.

Connect your X's.

Curve the line toward the edge.

Now cut along this edge. You may need to remove some of your original pins. You are cutting through both bandanns both still folded in half.

Open up the bandannas so they look like this. Now it's time to sew. Sew along both of these freshly cut crotch curves. I followed up with a zigzag along raw edge.

Next, reposition the bandannas so that the two sewn seams are now together in the middle.

The inseam is next. Pin and sew up to the crotch and then back down the other leg. You won't need to finish the edges because the bandanna is already hemmed.

The waistband is next. Fold down about 1.5 inches and pin. Sew around the waist leaving a small opening to thread the drawstring through.

Thread a drawstring or twill tape through your waistband. I like the old giant safety pin method.

They're finished but inside out.

Flip them right-side out and trim your strings. They're ready to wear.

Let me know how the tute worked out. (It's my first effort.)