Baby T-Shirt Pants Sewing Pattern

Upcycle an adult t-shirt into loose fit pants or shorts with this sewing pattern in toddler and baby sizes. Cut the pants and shorts to reuse the graphic on the back.

When I started sewing for babies, I really learned to love making baby clothes out of adult clothing. It’s a cheap way to get fabric, and it’s too fun seeing adult clothing sized down for babies.

A reader once suggested that I make baby pants that would reuse the t-shirt graphic for the back of baby pants. I loved this idea, and I finally developed it into a pattern: the Baby T-Shirt Pants Pattern! This pattern really stretched my pattern design skills, but I’m so so happy with how they turned out!

IMAGINE:

Loving a favorite t-shirt and wanting to use it for a baby or toddler
Saving money as you sew because you are getting t-shirts for cheap or free
Seeing a baby wearing pants or shorts made from a favorite t-shirt
Developing your skills of sewing knit fabric
Making lots of fun and silly baby pants and shorts and giving them as baby shower gifts
Enjoying sewing and finishing a fun sewing project

For example, I made these NASA baby t-shirt pants with cuffs from a thrifted t-shirt which you can see above. And below you can see a cute baby bum wearing the NASA pants. Aren’t they adorable?

Pants with hem:

Dropped crotch style pants with hems and elastic waistband. Reuse a graphic across the back of the pants. Add an optional kangaroo pocket.

Pants with cuff:

Dropped crotch style pants with cuffs and elastic waistband. Reuse a graphic across the back of
the pants. Add an optional kangaroo pocket. Legs are extra long for gathered ankle look or room to grow.

Shorts with hem:

Dropped crotch style shorts with hems and elastic waistband. Reuse a graphic across the back
of the shorts. Add optional kangaroo pocket to front.

Baby T-Shirt Pants pattern features:

Comes in baby and toddler sizes 3 mos, 6 mos, 9 mos, 12 mos, 18 mos, and 2T.
Uses any knit fabric like jersey, interlock, sweatshirting, and French Terry. The different fabrics will slightly change the drape of the shorts or pants for different looks.
The pants can be cuffed or hemmed. The shorts are hemmed.
Cut the graphic for the back of the pants or shorts for an extra fun look.

Get the Baby T-Shirt Pants pattern in my shop today. It’s a full size downloadable and printable PDF pattern. The pattern is full of illustrations and detailed instructions along with the pattern pieces.

What fabric works for the Baby T-Shirt Pants sewing pattern?

The great thing about these baby t-shirt pants is that they will work with any knit fabric. You can use a t-shirt for a soft and stretchy feel. You can use a hoodie or sweatshirt for durable and stiffer shorts.

You can also use fabric by the yard like cotton spandex jersey, French terry, or double brushed poly. The pattern is super versatile and works with so many different fabrics!

The baby t-shirt pants should be cut so that the stretch will go around the torso and legs to make them comfortable.

This pattern is useful for both summer and winter since it can be shorts or pants. It works for so many baby sizes, so it’s great for a baby to grow through multiple seasons.

If you love upcycling: check out these fun sewing patterns:

I can’t wait to see what you make! If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!