It’s finished. I’m writing all this up with pictures and will save as a pdf and post of the web site, probably. I’ll let you know. Madelyn is thinner so the shorts are a bit blousey on here but you an see that it would also make a nice skirt. I’ll try to find a live model for them.

It starts here …

That’s weave along or design along. I’m calling it Keep Your Pants On! I’ve been getting suggestions to do a WAL to make pants. It’s going to be Along, too, as I will be weaving with you! I hope a few of you will be interested in the project. We’ll start with a pair of shorts and some kiddy pants for those of you who want to start small and have a small one to wear them. I’m going to be posting to the Pin Weaving Support Group on Facebook. and to the Ravelry Small Looms group so you can join in & share in any or all of these places.

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Here’s one of the kids pants projects  as a start. A pair of shorts for a toddler boy.

So here’s what I have so far. I tried several yarns on both the Quilt Weaver and the Multi loom and didn’t find anything I liked. I was thinking cotton but the cottons I ave are either too small to make a nice fabric with the Quilt Weavers or too heavy to make it on the Multi Looms. sock yarns were a little too light for my liking on the multi as well. and I wanted a yarn that would not stretch to leave holes once they are on the moving body. I finally ran across this box I got from Lion Brands 10 for $10 sale.  Had no idea what to do with it when I bought it but it was a ‘deal’! It weaves up very nice on the 7″ Quilt Weaver square. A snug weave without making a stiff fabric.  It’s Lion’s Pride Woolspun, 80% acrylic, 20% wool. A Bulky Woolease.

And then I went thought my box of adult patterns and found a pants pattern that I think will work. I folded up the legs and pinned the front and back together. I don’t seem to have one of those ‘one size fits all’ kind so am making my own this way. You’ll need to be sure to measure your hips, usually at or just below your belly button. That will give you the widest measurement. You’ll probably want to add an inch or two of ease for sitting, too.

Here’s my layout for one side. This is 18 seven inch squares. None of my squares are stitched together just yet but I think this is going to work.  I will sew these together  and then stitch and cut to get the crop correct. Did I mention that you are going to need a sewing machine to do it this way? I have a layout that does it differently  but I think this will make a better fit. I’ll share the other way of doing it as well, tho, if you want to try it. It’s basically the same way  that the kids pants are done but with a larger insert for the crotch.

This is Charlies, Pants, done with the 3.5″ Tiny Weaver Square. You could use your 4″ multi but be sure to check the measurements. Add squares top or side to get your fit. This would be for a child. your going to need many more squares for yourself, no matter what size you are and if you are using the 4″ make your crotch insert with the 6″.

Okay this is the basic idea. Decide on your loom. Start asking questions! Start swatching yarns and look for a pattern if you want to do it my way.

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Measuring the skirt and play suit results in a rather small size for both, reminding us again that you do need to measure yourself.

The skirt was made to fit my mannequin, Madelyn. A very slim model. The skirt, made with the 6″ Multi loom, measure 26″ at the waist and 36″ at the hip. The skirt was three rows of 7 six inch squares and I took darts at the waist. It was also lined.

The Play suit, a version of a Weave-it  project was even smaller, measuring 26 at the waist and 36 at the hip. This way of doing it has no darts but is tiered as in chart. And you’ll see in the chart that the squares are Not square, This was to show that they are eased in to fit the previous row. It does not look gathered if done carefully.

Take your measurements, from waist to hem and also around your waist and hips. From there you will be able to determine how many squares you need to fit yourself.  The crotch square is recommended to be larger, you can try the 4″ or the 6″ & decide which you think works best. Also you might want to make that one a double to give it a little extra strength. The waist band is knitted k2, p2 ribbing. If you do not knit you can crochet it, if you don’t do neither you can just weave an extra row of 4 in squares , sew together in a waist length row,  fold them lengthwise and stitch it on as a band.

Now as I have had questions about how to assemble this crotch, I’ve changed my mind about how I’m doing it and will do it the flat way. My square measure 6″. So laying them out with 3 squares will give me a 36″ waist. But if you have a 36″ waist, you are not likely to also have 36″ hips.  Well, men might but women aren’t likely to. If I manage to ease in one more square it will give me 48″ hips.  That also makes the leg opening 24″ which may be a little loose for shorts. All these things have to be adjusted by your size and your taste. This is where the design comes in! And do remember!!! You are not weaving squares… you are weaving Fabric! You can treat it like any other coarsely woven fabric. You’ll need to sue some kind of stay, whether iron on backing or just sewing a stay stitch, before you cut. I am going to start assembling these shorts today and will take photos of inserting the crotch gusset.

Next Day:

I’m not really happy with the way this is going. The project, that is. This yarn makes some nice sturdy, yet soft fabric but trying to ease in an extra 6 inches isn’t going smoothly. I’m going to go ahead with it, bit I think I won’t weave in ends just yet in case I have to frog it later. A lighter fabric wouldn’t be a problem, I think, so don’t be discouraged by my comments. I’ll post another comment & a photo once I get the next tier on.

I guess it could be cute. We’ll see. I have not yet added the 3rd tier, which I’ll try to get done today.