How to make tiny training pants

Here is a picture of the outside of one pair of tiny undies. It is cut so that the seams are along the back where the edge of the batting will be. That reduces the number of seams needed if you are using batting or some other filler. If you are not using a filler, you can put the seams at the back or at the side.

Here is a picture of the lining of the training pants with cotton batting sewn to it. These tp's have one solid layer of batting that goes from the front to the back and one layer just for the middle. This is suggested for girl undies. You can add the extra layer to the front for boys undies, or use just one layer.

Now sew the outside layer to the lining and batting at the front of the undies along the edges of the front batting.

You can add the leg ribknit here if you are more comfortable with that. You want the ribknit to be about the same length as the measurement where your baby's leg meets her hips. This is often less than the widest part of her hips. If you are doing the ribbing at this point, sew it right-sides-together to the outside of the undies. Then after sewing the sides together, you can fold it to the inside and double needle (or sew two lines of stiches) from the outside, making sure to catch the edge of the ribknit on the inside. The rest of the pictures show the ribknit being put on after sewing the side seams. If you sew the ribknit on now, ignore the next instruction. Sew the the sides to the back with all layers together outside to outside. Trim the batting and close to the seam and the outside, side-lining seam allowances about 3/16" from the seam. Turn the back-lining seam allowance around the rest of the seam allowances towards the side and sew flat. This is much easier than doing a French seam and then sewing it flat.

If you have not already added the ribknit to the legs, you will want to sew the sides of the undies to the back of the undies--each layer separately. This way, all the seam allowances are between the outside layer and lining. Here is a picture of what it will look like after sewing the sides, but before putting the layers back together:

And here are the undies with all the layers back together:

Cut 2 lengths of ribknit, each about as long as the measurement where your baby's leg meets her hips. This is often less than the widest part of her hips. Sew the short ends together of each peice separately to make 2 rings, right-sides-together, with about a 1/4 in seam allowance and finger press the seam allowance flat. Stretch one ring evenly around one leg hole, right-side of ribknit to right side of lining (inside of undies). It is better not to match the seams, but keep the ribknit seam somwhere towards the back. Then fold the ribknit around to the outside of the panties, fold the edge of the ribknit under and top-stitch it to the outside close to the edge of the ribknit. Repeat on the other leg.

WaistbandTo put on the waistband (however you did the leg ribknit) cut a peice of ribknit the length of your baby's waist measurement. If you plan not to put elastic in the waistband, you might want to make the ribknit a little tighter. Sew the short edges of the ribknit together using a 1/4" seam allowance and fingerpress the seam allowance flat. Stretch the ribknit ring evenly around the top of the undies with the seam at the middle of the back; right side of ribknit to right side of lining. Then fold the ribknit around the top of the undies and turn under the edge of the ribknit to topstitch to outside of the undies. If you are planning to use elastic in the waistband, make sure you leave it wide enough to fit elastic and leave a hold in the topstitching at the back big enough to put the elastic in. Put elastic in; sew ends of elastic together; and finish topstitching the waistband closed. If you do not intend to use elastic, just topstitch the waistband all around the first time--not leaving a hole.

Here is a picture of a finished pair of training pants using elastic in the waistband and putting the leg ribknit on after sewing the sides together:

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