Wedding Dress Pants

With one wedding dress meticulously taken apart for a robe, it was time for the next wedding dress,which was covered in a gorgeous glitter tulle overlay. This inspired me to a pair pants or as I nicknamed the projects "Sparkly Pants."

I have an older pattern, that I love the pants from. I have made the pants before using a plaid fabric. Which I mention, because some pictures will have pen marks of the pattern pieces. which were made, so I could pattern match the plaid pattern, at the seams of every piece. The pants have enough movement in the hem, that the glitter would sparkle and dazzle as I walked.

The added bonus to using a pattern I have made before, is I don't need to make a mock up, to ensure the fit of the pants

Prepping the fabric

Taking apart the wedding dress

First step in this project was getting the fabric from the dress. Which means, taking apart the wedding dress, and in this case getting 3 layers of fabric. First: the Glitter tulle overlay fabric. Second: the Organza shine layer, that was under the glitter layer. Third: the Satin fabric, over both the other layers.

Then there was the bottom hem trim from the glitter fabric, that needed to be moved, which was sewn on with tiny invincible thread stitches.

Once I had all 3 layers and the trim, I had to wash the fabric. Yes the water was very sparkly,due to glitter shredding everywhere. After a quick wash in the laundry tub, the fabric was all hung to dry. The satin and organza was then ironed, before cutting out the pattern pieces.

Cutting out the Pattern

Drawing the line to remove seam allowance

With 3 layers of fabric being used to make a pair of pants, it means you get to cut out the leg pattern pieces 3 times.

Both the Satin and Organza layers were fairly easy, just pin the pattern down, and cut the pieces out.

The Glitter tulle, was a bit more work. The pattern has 2 leg pieces, front and back. However, I dont want a seam going up the side of my leg, the pattern matching would be impossible. So in pencil, I drew a line 1/2 inch on each side of the pattern pieces and folded at that line. Pinned down one pattern piece on the fabric, then pinned the other one, with the folded edges touching the whole length.

I then cut out the waist band from just the satin fabric, and I did cut a tie up belt from all 3 three payers as well.

Sewing

The best way, I could think to assemble 3 layers of fabric into 1 pain of pants, was to assemble each fabric pant leg as their own, with waistband and middle seam being shared.

Each Fabric, I sewed the leg pattern pieces together on their own, with french seams.

The glitter tulle fabric only had the inner leg seam to sew, so it was fastest to make.

The Organza was the hardest fabric to sew. I had to turn my stitch length the shortest my sewing machine would let me. so the fabric didn't fray apart during french seams. Which, if you are curious how to seam rip, organza fabric with short seams, its with patience.

After all the pant legs were made, it was edge stitching time. Starting with a satin pant leg, I found the matching Organza pant leg. Stuffed the satin leg into the organza leg, and the edge stitched around the top, where the waist band would go, and along the crotch seam.

This was then repeated again with the Glitter tulle pant leg, by stuffing the the Organza Satin pant legs into the tulle leg.

Edge stitching

Once both pant legs were fully edge stitch together, I could sew the crotch seams together, with a french seam. so there was no raw edges showing.

To add the waist band, I added interfacing to the back of the satin, to give to some extra strength, and a keep a smoother appearance. I didn't french seam the waist band. Instead, after sewing the waistband, adding the elastic and closing the seam fully. I trimmed the seam allowance, and stitch on twill tape. SO the raw edges were enclosed between the tulle tape and pant waist. which also allowing there to be a bit of top stitching on the waist band and just below the waist band.

The pant pattern did call for a tie belt, and I did make one, however, at this point in the construction, I felt the belt was too much. As it was also made with the 3 layers of fabric. I may make another belt, and then add belt loops, if I feel like its needed.

Hemming the pants

Hemming glitter tulle overlay

Hemming satin

Hemming organza

Since the pant legs are made from 3 layers of fabric, it means 3 times the work hemming the pants, with each layer getting treated a little different.

The Glitter tulle is cut of the hemmed length, with the trim previously removed being sewed back on to the bottom edge. This the first image above.

The Organza fabric is a tiny baby hem. Where you draw the hem line 1/8 of an inch below the hem. Fold the fabric at the line, and sew close to the edge. then trim away excess fabric, as close as possible to the stitching. Then fold again, so the raw edge is folded in, and stitch again, close to the edge. The finished edge should be a tiny tiny hem. This is the last photo above. The photo has been taken during the second fold.

The Satin Fabric, so a basic hem, with 1/2 double folded hem. This is the middle photo above, I used the clips, due to the slipperiness of the fabric. Pins can be used, however you risk poking yourself, and catching the other fabric, which could lead to rips

I really hope you enjoyed the making of these Wedding dress Pants.

Want more Wedding Dress projects, checkout my Recap, that has all projects made

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