Ninja style up-cycled Size 1 tracksuit pants (and matching top)

So, I mentioned in my post Super quick and easy up-cycled toddler tracksuit that I had salvaged more than one tracksuit top from my husbands charity bag, well this little number is the results of my second toddler tracksuit transformation.

This project is much the same as the other one but with a few alterations worth mentioning as they will mean you will be able to use a larger variety of different tops to start with.

This is the top I started with this time:

What dads jumper used to look like

I started out in much the same way as last time with cutting out, but found that using the pattern for Size 1 tracksuit from a man’s tracksuit top the pattern piece for the tracksuit pants was to wide to fit into the sleeve of this slimmer fitting tracksuit top. So, I have devised a pattern to use with slimmer tops like this.

This is where the Ninja part comes in – the crotch part of the pants is a separate pattern piece, like it is in martial arts uniforms and I thought ‘Ninja style’ rolled off the tongue a little better than ‘Martial Arts style’. If you don’t know what I mean here, don’t worry it will soon become clear.

First things first then – cutting out

You will need the pattern. This pattern is a a size 1.

Using the tracksuit top pattern, cut out the body of the top from the upper portion of the man’s top. If your top has a zip like this one make sure the zip is done up, as you will be cutting through the zip and sewing it into the bottom seam later – if it is undone this will not work.

Then cut the waistband off the man’s top along the seam and cut it to a length just shorter than the bottom of the child’s to you have just cut.

Lastly (for the top) cut 2 strips of fabric 3cm wide and long enough to go around the armholes of the childs top with some to spare (I just cut them from the width of the back of the mans top at the botttom)

This is what all the pieces for the top will look like:

Cut pieces for toddlers tracksuit top/vest

Next use the ‘Ninja Tracksuit pants’ pattern to cut the main part for the pants, as shown below. You will notice that they are pretty much straight up and down, so should fit on pretty much any tracksuit top.

Cut the main pants pattern piece from the sleeves – you will notice that it is pretty much straight up and down

Next cut the crotch portion of the pattern from a spare piece of the man’s top, as you are not cutting sleeves there should be plenty to spare. I cut the crotch piece from an unused part of the waistband (sorry there are no pics)

ok, on to sewing…

For a more detailed description of how to sew the side seams and waistband of the top check out my previous post Super quick and easy up-cycled toddler tracksuit – PART 2 Tracksuit Top. Other wise…

Overlock the armholes, lower edge and side seams

Use your overlocker to secure the armholes and lower edge and sew the side seams – it should look like this.

Pin the binding to the armholes as shown and then overlock around ensuring that the seam ends up on the inside. Then topstitch the seam so that the overlocked bit stays neatly tucked away (have a look at the finish in the next pic)

Attach the waistband using your overlocker, making sure that you stretch it evenly as you attach it to the body of the top

Ok now on to the pants, for more detailed instructions on inserting the waist elastic check out my previous post Super quick and easy up-cycled toddler tracksuit – PART 1 Tracksuit Pants

Overlock the two pants pieces together down to the crotch mark

Overlock the two pants pieces together down the front and back seams to the crotch mark

Next attach the crotch piece to one side lining up the crotch mark with the seam. Then sew from ankle to ankle sewing the inner leg seams and attaching the other half of the crotch piece to the other side as shown in the picture.

Insert elastic at the waistband and your done

So there you have it – Ninja tracksuit.

At this point I am happy to concede that this is a fairly masculine tracksuit and that my daughter would be better served by wearing something a little prettier, but I still think it is super cute and couldn’t resist posting a few more pics.