Upcycled Cargo Pants
We are having a glorious summer, which we are all loving:) Except my tots knees – he suffers from excema, which is exasperated by warm weather. Earlier in the week I realised that 10 days of shorts had taken their toll on the back of his knees, which were almost about to break out into open sores. I decided to make him some three quarter length trousers – Upcycled Cargo Pants. Happily this coincided with my husband sorting out his clothes and handing me a pile for refashioning.
Introducing Cargo Pants from Onthecuttingfloor. I downloaded the pattern for his age, and made him three pairs from two pairs of linen trousers and pair of his old shorts- very satisfying, cost – nil:) 
Admittedly the fabric has seen better days, some of which I turned inside out as the wrong side of the original clothing was in better condition than the right side. But it really doesn’t matter – his knees are protected, in four weeks we will be hitting autumn and he will be back in long trousers. 
They are a perfect length for protecting his knees. I added a little pocket to a couple of pairs to add interest. In fact my husband didn’t realise this pair were handmade 🙂
Having downloaded and cut out the pattern this is how I sewed them up:
Pin the back and front for each leg, right sides together. Stitch the seams.
Turn one leg right side out, insert inside the other leg so the right sides are together. Pin the crutch seam.
Stitch the seam.
Stitch the waistband to create a circular band the same size as the top of the trousers. Pin right side together and stitch.
Turn over and pin, encasing the elastic as you go. Using a pair of current trousers pull up the elastic to create a waist the same size. Tack and stitch. Lastly hem the leg bottoms.
I am delighted to say my tots knees are healing up. Thanks to Daniela for the pattern:)
As you can see my new camera is great outdoors, but I need to practice for great indoor images!
As usual I am hopping by Handmade Harbour to see what everyone else’s week has been like,
28 responses to “Upcycled Cargo Pants”
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What a tutorial! I really must give this a go xx
Jen recently posted…Lavender Wands
Great pants! My middle one suffered the same on the backs of his knees and his hands – always worse in the heat.
Patchwork Fairy recently posted…Ripple Blanket Progress
Good idea. I’d never have thought about eczema flaring up in the warmer weather.
Emma T recently posted…Brailes Country Show – cars, cake and Mardis Gras
Great trousers. I make mine in a similar way except for a slightly different way of sewing the crotch.
They look great and are clearly doing a good job! I love that they are upcycled x
Thanks Wendy, I love the pennies I have saved!!!
Oh the poor little guy. It’s a good job he has such a clever Mum. Your pants look fab and even better for saving his knees. The shot of your family looks great, you don’t need outside lessons for your camera. Have a lovely week.
Ali xx
Ali recently posted…OH DEER
These look great, you’re very clever! I’ve never had a go at sewing clothes but your tutorial seems very clear and easy to follow. Xx
Suze Bain recently posted…The Quilt is Finished!
Elastic waist trousers are a nice and simple start into clothes making.
The pants look great, and so glad your little boy’s knees are healing up.
Thanks Andrea, amazing what the difference is when he doesn’t scratch!
Gorgeous trousers Vicky! They look so professional – and of course as always so much the better they are upcycled! 🙂
Jill recently posted…Used Clothes are Not Trashy! – Day 28 Use What You’ve Got
Thanks Jill, inspired my your 100 make the most of what you have challenge:)
Aww these are fab, they look great on your boy and i’m so glad they’re doing the job you made them for! 🙂
Free Spirit Designs recently posted…New Nature Notecards For Handmade Monday
That’s a great idea to upcycle old trousers. Wish my sewing skills were up to making these.
mellissa williams recently posted…Di Palomo – The Fragrance Of Italy Made In The UK
What a great idea! They look brilliant!
Sonia recently posted…Instagram Weekly: 4th-10th August 2014
You make it so simple, I think even I could manage these! Beautiful pictures.
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…Swinging through the Summer
What a fantastic idea for the little one! And I loved all your pictures, you’re so clever 🙂
What a great make. Really practical.
Ginny recently posted…Wedding Pictures
You are so talented – these look great!
Thanks for sharing at this week’s #Pintorials
Gude @HodgePodgeCraft recently posted…Best E craft ideas for kids
they turned out great!! I love upcycling.
Stephanie recently posted…A Crafting Interruption – 6 Books I Love
Wow, these are fabulous, my boy is a bit of an odd size so I really should sew him some shorts, I just need to get more confident to adjust patterns to fit us. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…JJ updates his Scout Camping Kit
These look brilliant! I have 2 old pairs of shorts and a pair of jeans from my hubby that I am looking to do something with and this looks like a great project for me to try! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Jo @ 3 Kids and a Gluestick recently posted…Alphabet Photography Project | N is for…
Fabulous upcycling, Vicky. The shorts look great with the contrasting colours.
Pam @Threading My Way recently posted…Designing a Sundress…
What a great idea. I need to remember to use for my grandsons. Fine tutorial.
They look fab! And I’m still jealous of your camera 🙂
Kate Williams recently posted…Seaside Tinkered Treasures Review
I never thought about downloading pattern before! What a great idea. The trousers look great 🙂 Thanks for sharing on #ThriftyThursday
These look great-so professional! Thanks so much for linking up to the August Making, Making Do and Mending linky!
Jen Gale recently posted…The Handmade Fair