HACK || Alex Neon Colorblock Hack

March 23, 2021 1 Comment

I've successfully transferred my own love (obsession...) for neon on my kids. So in making sure a handmade garment will be loved, adding a bit off neon usually does the trick! In this case, I hacked the back leg of the Alex Jogger Pants to add a neon colorblock and added enforced knee patches for longer wear. A fun and easy hack! And thankfully, the boy loves it!

Prep & supplies

Next to your Alex Jogger Pants pattern and supplies mentioned in the tutorial, you need some addition contrast fabric for your colorbock. Print all your preferred pants options in your desired size. Measure the waist-to-knee length of your child, so you know where the knee patches should sit.

 

Creating the colorblock

Step 1 - Take your front and back leg pattern pieces. On your front leg, draw 2 lines above and below your knee point. On your back leg, draw in the colorblock lines. Keep in mind that the seam allowance (1cm - 3/8") is included in the pattern pieces. 

 

Step 2 - Cut along these lines.

 

Step 3- Add seam allowance to all the sides of your new seams. The green border indicates the already included seam allowance. The pink border indicates the seam allowance you need to add.

 

Front leg

Step 1 - Cut out your front leg pattern pieces - cut pattern piece 1 & 1B mirrored from the fabric and to create an extra layer for the enforced knees, cut pattern piece 1A twice and mirrored from the fabric. I used the neon fabric as an extra layer for the knee patches on the inside of the pants. 

 

Step 2 - Start with front leg pieces 1A and 1B. Place front leg piece 1B with the right side up. Place knee patch piece 1A in main fabric with the right side on top of front leg piece 1B. Place knee patch piece 1A in lining fabric, with the right side below front leg piece 1B. Front leg piece 1B is now "sandwiched" between both knee patches pattern pieces. Stitch & press the seam. The seam should now be hidden between both knee patches.

 

Step 3 - Fold knee patch 1A in lining fabric down. With the right sides together, place front leg piece 1 on top of knee patch 1A in main fabric, pin in place. Next, roll up front leg pattern pieces 1 & 1B up together, this way exposing knee patch 1A in the lining fabric. 

 

Step 4 - Fold over knee patch 1A in the lining fabric to match the seams at the top. Pin in place. The rolled up front leg pattern pieces 1 & 1B are now "sandwiched" between the knee patch pattern pieces. Stitch the seam. Pull out the rolled up front leg pattern pieces and turn everything with the right side out. Both seams of your knee patch should now be hidden. Press the seams and repeat for the other side. At this point you can also add some decorative topstitching.

 

Back leg

Step 1 - Cut out your back leg pattern pieces. On the wrong side of the fabric, draw stitching guide lines for the colorblock seam.

 

Step 2 - Place the back leg with the right side up. With the right sides together, place the colorblock piece on top of the back leg. Pin in place, carefully matching the corners and the seam. Turn the back leg around. Stitch the first part of the seam until the corner. 

 

Step 3 - Cut a little notch towards the corner, make sure not to cut through the stitching guide line! Pivot the back leg to match up the short colorblock seams. Pin in place. Continue stitching the seam.

 

Step 4 - Finish your seam with a big zigzag or a serger. Press the seam towards the back leg. At this point you can add decorative topstitching as desired. Repeat for the other back leg.

The front and back leg are now ready and you can continue sewing your Alex Jogger Pants by following the tutorial. Done!

1 Response

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Comment *