Love Notions Pattern just released their first mens pant pattern. Due to the fact that it’s basically summer here in Arizona, I knew there was very little chance of getting him to let me make him pants. Shorts however, was a much different story.

My husband is always in need of some comfy lounge shorts that he could wear to the store or to hangout around the house. So I used the new men’s pattern, the Thomas Track Pants, to make him a super comfy pair of shorts. 

The Thomas Track Pants are the perfect pants pattern for everyone. This pattern can be made from a large variety of woven and stable knit fabrics allowing for a wide range of looks, perfect for any season. The Thomas Track Pants can be lined with light weight fabrics making these athletic pants great for outdoor activities. The optional zipper hem makes them perfect for wearing over shorts on the way to indoor practice or the gym during the winter months. Deep side seam pockets feature topstitching detail that gives a professional finish. The wide elastic waist provides comfort and keeps pants snugly in place. The Thomas Track Pants also make for a comfy pair of lounge pants when made out of flannel fabrics!

Thomas Track Pants Feature:

• Meant for woven fabrics and stable knits
• Solid and colorblock options
• Lined option
• Optional zipper hem and side seam pockets
• Elastic waist

Sizes: XS-5X

Skill Level: Beginner – Intermediate

• The single fabric version is recommended for beginners.
• The color blocked version is recommended for confident beginners.
• The zipper hem is recommended for intermediate sewists.

We went to the fabric store to pick out some fabric that was both appropriate for the pattern and comfortable to wear. Since he wanted just plain old comfy shorts we went with the single fabric view rather than the color blocked version. That made my job super easy and we only needed to find one cut of fabric. What we settled on was this gray mid weight waffle knit. He loved it and once he found it there was little chance of me talking him into something else. 

Since this is a pants pattern I would need to cut some length off to make it shorts. To do this I measured my husband from the crotch down to the desired length. Then I added 1 inch for the hem. I then measured the pattern from the crotch down that length and made a mark. I measured from the hem up to that mark and saw that it was 18 inches that I would need to take off to make shorts. I measured up from the bottom 18 inches all the way across the pattern and made a line. I labeled it knee shorts so I would have it for future shorts I will be making for him.

I also adjusted the pattern a bit more. My husband’s measurements put him in a 3X waist but his hips were 4X. So I graded the 3X waist to a 4X at the hips and crotch, then back to a 3X for the legs. The pattern says to go with the hip measurement, but that doesn’t always work for my husband. It makes things look baggy and sloppy most times when I do that. Plus the knit fabric I was using was going to give him plenty of stretch. So I chose to grade the pattern instead and I’m so glad I did. That gave him such a perfect fit that he was really pleased with.

To cut these out, I folded the pant leg on the line I had made and placed it on the fabric. Then when I was cutting it out I made sure to cut the leg 1 inch wider at the bottom for the hem. 

These sewed together in a little over an hour and have been worn constantly since. He loves them so much! And if you make you man some comfy shorts he’s going to need an awesome shirt to go with them. So I made him a Dockside t-shirt from some fabric he picked from my stash. I must say he has excellent taste. 

For a limited time you can pair the new Thomas Track pants with any other menswear pattern – 2 for $15. And if you use code KOE10 you can get an additional 10% off.

Now you can make that special man in your life a comfy outfit for Father’s Day!

Happy Sewing!

Koe