I have been so blown away by the response to the Arden Pants pattern this week! Thank you SO MUCH for following along, commenting, and encouraging me with this pattern. I am so glad to know the community is as excited about woven joggers as I am!! Today I want to show you how to use Arden as a sweatpants pattern!
The Arden Pants are available in sizes 0-30! Grab them for 20% off this week to help us celebrate the launch! Sale ends midnight PST May 16th.
Lots of people have been asking me if the Arden Pants can be made in knit fabrics and the answer is YES! I made a pair in french terry ASAP once the pattern was finalized to test this out for myself. Woven joggers are excellent, but sometimes you just need good ol' classic sweats.
How to make the Arden Pants using knit fabric:
- Choose a knit fabric like French terry, bamboo jersey, or sweatshirt fleece.
- You may want to use ribbing for the cuffs and waistband as I did on this version. See my notes on ribbing below.
- Use a zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine. Use an overlocker/serger (optional).
- You may want to size down. I did not size down for this pair so they are extra comfy and loose-fitting. Sizing down 1 or even 2 sizes would result in more fitted sweatpants. It is all up to you!
- The original pattern instructions include topstitching for almost all the seams. The topstitching is not necessary for knit fabrics so you can skip all that business. Yay!
- You can add a decorative detail to the angled pockets as I did on this version. This looks really cool if you are using ribbing or, if you have contrast fabric on the waistband and cuffs, you can use it here too!
Adding the Decorative Pocket Detail
• Cut a piece of fabric or ribbing 11" long by 2" wide.
• Fold it in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press.
• Sandwich the pocket detail strip in between the angled pocket and the pants front and sew following the pattern instructions.
• Press flat and baste pocket in place as indicated in the instructions. No topstitching is necessary here.
• Trim away the excess fabric that is overhanging.
Not using ribbing:
Cut the waistband and cuff pattern pieces as-is in your knit fabric. Feed the elastic through as indicated in the instructions. I highly recommend topstitching the waistband and cuffs with knits so the elastic does not roll and twist inside the soft knit casing.
Using ribbing:
Cut the cuff ribbing to match the cuff elastic guide provided with the pattern and stretch it to fit the pant hem. You do not need to insert elastic into the cuffs if using ribbing instead. Cut the waistband pattern pieces as-is and insert the waistband elastic as instructed. It is needed to hold up the pants.
I hope you will try sewing Arden in a knit fabric! This pattern is so versatile in my wardrobe. I have versions in cotton canvas for working in the garden, versions in linen for hot summer days, and now this pair in French terry for cozying up on the couch. Will you be trying Arden in a knit fabric?
The Arden Pants are available in sizes 0-30! Grab them for 20% off this week to help us celebrate the launch! Sale ends midnight PST May 16th.
