Straight Palazzos Pattern Hack (Three Ways!)

Winter is coming, no matter if we are embracing that fact or not.  The change in seasons means that we are putting away our warmer weather clothes and finding things that are much more cozy.  Think: flannels, lounge wear, snuggling by a fireplace, drinking hot chocolate…the works.  But being cozy doesn’t mean wearing frumpy clothes…not one bit.  The Straight Palazzo pants are your answer to putting comfy and cute together.

Think: maxi skirt in pant form.  Heaven, right?

Inspiration is everywhere and the online boutiques are full of different styles of palazzos.  Here are three different ways you can take this very pattern and put a tiny twist on it, to mimic the styles that you’ve been drooling over.

Hack #1: Flannel Fabric + No Side Seams

Because the pattern is made to hug the booty and is a straight leg all the way down, there is more than enough wiggle room to use a flannel fabric…for the ultimate home/lounge/pj pants.  Flannel in NO WAY can fully replace knit for sewing, but it has a little more give than say, a quilting cotton, and can sometimes work for different pieces of clothing.  It does work for the palazzos, just make sure to check the size chart BEFORE cutting into your precious fabric.  Verify that your full hip measurement will easily fit into the size you’re wanting to use, as that will be the most important measurement.  Personally, I’ve been brainstorming ways to tackle our traditional Christmas pj’s for the entire family, and I believe this was my answer.

Eliminating the side seam was SUPER easy.  And it made this one of the quickest pairs of pants to sew ever!  Take your pattern and line the straight edges up together, overlapping them by 1/2″ on both sides.

(Why 1/2″?  The pattern is built with 1/2″ seams all the way around.  Since we aren’t using side seams, we don’t need that extra fabric.)

Lay your pattern pieces on your fabric, now just cutting out two pieces for the legs.  Make sure to cut mirror images or you will end up with two of the same leg!

Sew each leg to itself on the inner, long, straight edge.  Then place one leg inside of the other (right sides facing) and sew the crotch seam.  Follow the rest of the directions in your pattern and attach a waistband, based upon the type you’re wanting.

BAM, you’ve got yourself a snazzy, comfy new pair of pants!

Hack #2: Add a Drawstring

I love to add a quick drawstring to pants that I’m worried might creep over into the “pj look” instead of “sweatpant look” on adult and kids clothing I make! And it is a super simple mod too 🙂

I cut all my pieces normally, but added my drawstring piece.  I did about an inch thick long strip that is long enough to go around my hips and then some more to tie.  I did a very long drawstring just for the certain look I was going for.

Since my knit doesn’t ravel, I didn’t finish it at all, but you can sew it right sides together and turn to create a tube.  I just folded my end under and tied into a knot.

Next, I cut a small rectangle of interfacing.

For placement, I folded the waistband in half width wise to find the front center and pressed a crease.  Then folded in half lengthwise like it would be when attached to the pants.  I placed my interfacing right under that crease in the center for the look I wanted.  (I had did a yoga band that I planned on folding down, and wanted the drawstring to be tucked under.)

Next, I marked my buttonholes.  I did about 1/2″ from the center for each.  I choose a smaller button so that my holes weren’t too big (I hate when I tie a drawstring and the holes gap open!).

You will need to use a knit button hole.  Here is what mine looks like on my machine.  The zigzag sides let the knit stretch without popping the threads.

Now just sew up your pants exactly as the pattern tutorial instructs.  The only thing to consider is to make sure you’re placing your button holes correctly when attaching the waistband to the pants.  After they’re all sewn up, you can put your drawstring through your button holes and around the waistband.  I always use a safety pin to help guide it through.

Tada! Now you can wear your ever so comfortable, stylish sweatpants without fear they might look like you stepped out in your pjs 😉

Here I am in my SUPER soft, rayon blend floral french terry palazzos with a ribbing waistband and drawstring!

Hack #3: Add Front Patch Pockets

I’m a minimalist when it comes to taking things with me while running quick errands and let’s face it, as a mom of three, I’m lucky if I get dressed up. 😉  I grab my clutch and my keys and off I go.  The Straight Palazzo Pants are so comfortable and I could wear them everyday but leave me with no pockets and I’m left worrying about where to put my things.  Added front patch pockets…problem solved!

You will cut your leg pieces and waistband as the pattern instructs but will need to create your pocket piece.

I used the size 14 pocket from the Pirate Playground Shorts and Pants and made a few adjustments to the length to fit my pants. For placement, center pocket between front rise and out-seam with the bottom edge of the pocket lined up at the shorts length cut line and extended to top.

Cut your Pocket Pieces.

Unlined/raw edge pocket ~
CUT 2 MIRROR IMAGE

For Pocket with Lining ~
CUT 2 MIRROR IMAGE, MAIN FABRIC
CUT 2 MIRROR IMAGE, LINING FABRIC

Unlined Pocket                                                                                                 Lined Pocket

Unlined Pocket:  Hem pocket edge. I folded mine to the right side of the fabric to show the wrong side of the fabric for added detail.

Lined Pocket: Stitch pocket main and lining with right sides together along top and bottom curves. Flip right sides out and topstitch along top curve.

Stitch Pocket on front leg.  Continue construction of the legs and waistband as shown in the pattern tutorial.

Voila! You now have the perfect pair of comfy pants with pockets large enough to hold your phone, cash or in my case, most likely one of my kid’s toys!

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There you have it!  Three different ways you can take one pattern and make it to fit your needs.  Now you can have the [coziest] pants of your dreams.  (Make sure you have a copy of the Straight Palazzo Pants pattern first.)

Followed one of these hacks?  Or came up with something of your own?  We are DYING to see it!  Share your latest make on the Patterns for Pirates facebook group and let us see.