Trendy Velvet Wide Leg Pants

All seams are 3/4" unless otherwise noted.

1. Fold your fabric in half and lay flat on a large work surface. Fold your existing pants in half so that one leg is on top of the other and the front of the pants is facing up. Place the folded pants on the fabric. Trace along the pants seams with chalk, moving the pants as necessary so that you can trace around the front crotch seam. Lengthen the waist by at least 4" to allow for adjustment and an elastic waistband.

2. Use the 8" Amplify® RazorEdge™ Fabric Shears to cut along the chalked lines, through both layers of the folded velvet. These shears are perfect for this task because they are designed to cut through thick materials or multiple layers at once – reducing your cutting time.These two pieces will be the front pieces of your pants.

3. Refold the existing pants so that the back of the pants is on top and trace around the back crotch seam. Again, lengthen the waist by at least 4". Use the shears to cut along the chalked lines, through both layers of the folded velvet. These two pieces will be your pants back pieces.

4. Pin the two pants back pieces together with the right sides of the fabric facing each other, along the curved crotch line to the waist. Sew the pants back pieces together.

5. Pin the two pants front pieces together with the right sides of the fabric facing each other, along the curved crotch line to the waist. Sew the pants front pieces together.

6. Open up the pants front and lay on your work surface with the right side of the fabric facing you. Place the pants back on top of the pants front, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Pin the pants front and back to each other along the inseam – from the bottom of one leg up to the crotch, and down the other leg. Sew the inseam.

7. Pin the pants front to the pants back along the two side seams, from the waist to the bottom of each leg. Sew the seams with a loose basting stitch.

8. Try the pants on and check for sizing, adjusting if necessary. These pants should hang loosely, but still fit well around the hips. Sew the side seams and then remove the basting stitches using the Easy Change Fabric Knife and the seam ripper blade.

9. To create the waistband, fold the top edge of the waistband over by 1/2". Fold over by another 2" and pin down. Sew the folded fabric in place, leaving a 6" area unsewn for inserting the elastic.

10. Insert the elastic through the hole you left using a bodkin or safety pin. Adjust the elastic to fit and sew the two ends together. Sew the hole closed.

11. Hem the pants by folding up the bottom edge by 1/2" and sewing in place.

Enjoy your latest comfortable and stylish addition to your wardrobe!