TUTORIAL: KID Pants and Shorts with Back Pockets

Like many of you, I couldn't resist the sweet Fox sweater from Target this past Fall.  But since I often sew with bright solid colors, Owen didn't have anything in neutral tones to go along.  Time to sew!..something, foxy?  or plaid.  Or how bout the Plaidtastic Mr. Fox?

Yes.  That'll work.
Theses aren't exactly "plaid" but I added some simple pockets to the back, cutting them on the bias so the fabric looks pretty sweet!

If you've been following along the past couple years, we've been making simple pants and shorts for kids, adding new twists as we go along.  Check out the line-up! (click an image for detailed info):
 

It's easy to feel overwhelmed the first time around, when you set out to sew pants with all the bells, whistles, and little details.  But when you start at the Basics....before you know it, you're sewing shorts with a flat front, front pockets, back pockets....what next?  Faux fly?  Cargos?  And it all feels so normal.  And you've got totally professional shorts to show for it.

Yay!  I love these shorts.  I need to make 3 more pairs.
Cause in Texas, summer is not far off.

Okay, Back Pockets are not hard to do.  In fact most of you are already sewing them to your pants. Sweet!
Here's what you do....

• Start with the Basic KID Pants tutorial and pattern.
• For shorts see the KID Shorts tutorial
• I used the Flat Front option
• I added Front Pockets 
• I also chose to line the shorts since the cotton fabric was a bit thin.  I basically cut additional muslin pieces and serged (or you can baste/sew) each muslin piece to each plaid piece before sewing anything together.

 Now before sewing any of your pants pieces together, we 're going cut your Pockets:

• You do not have to cut your fabric on the bias (or the diagonal) but it adds a fun element with this fabric, so the checkers are on the diagonal.
• Most cutting mats have a 45 degree angle to help you cut on the diagonal
• If it's too complicated to figure out the exact angle, just cut a piece of paper and use it as your pocket pattern, placing it on your fabric and cutting where you'd like (above photo)
• Cut two pockets appx 5 x 5 1/2 inches (for this pattern)....or cut them any size/shape you want!  You can even angle the pockets into a V at the bottom.

 • It takes a little time to get the pockets arranged and pinned perfectly, so that they're spaced evenly.   So it helps to place the unsewn legs together and fold the waistband under so you can visualize how the pockets will look on the finished pants.


When the pockets are in place, sew your pants/shorts according the KID Pants tutorial and....
You're done!
A sweet pair of shorts! 

.....for gathering rocks and chucking them in the water.

It sounds so small town but often we find ourselves playing with rocks, organizing rocks, trying to skip rocks (and then just tossing them in the water).

 With a lake 2 minutes from our house it's hard not to enjoy the free stuff.

Happy pocketing!

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This is part of Celebrate the BOY, a series hosted by me and Made by Rae.

Here's what we've done so far:
DAY 1: Dana: 5 Steps to the Basic Tee • Rae: Saffron Pants and Color Roundup
DAY 2: Dana: Pants Roundup • Rae: Little Bit of Color Hoodie
DAY 3: Dana: KID Pants with Back Pockets

• Keep adding your own BOY projects to the CTB Flickr Group!
• And check out the Archives for additional projects