Welcome to the Ayla sewalong. If you prefer a video sewalong, check out our You Tube channel here. I will be sewing up view B (the paneled view) for the sewalong as it covers all of the steps. If you are sewing up view A this sewalong will work just as well for you, you will just be able to skip a few steps.
First lets talk about stitches. On page 2 of the instructions there is some recommended stitches to try. Before starting, make sure that you have taken a scrap piece of fabric, folded it in half, and tried out some stitches as shown below.
I am going to be using my serger for the main construction of the pant, but if you don't have a serger you will need to use another stretch stitch for main construction. You could use the stretch stitch option on your machine or an elongated zigzag stitch of about 3.0mm in length and about .5mm in width.
If you are sewing view A you are also going to need an option for topstitching. I am going to use the triple stitch on my machine. If your fabric has little or no vertial stretch you could even use a straight stitch slightly elongated to about 3.5mm. You could also try an elongated zigzag if you need a bit more give.
Once you have your stitches set, it's time to get started.
Keep in mind that all seam allowances are 3/8” unless otherwise stated.
Before starting, make sure that you have transferred all notches from your pattern pieces to your fabric. Since the seam allowance is only 3/8", be sure to make those clips in the fabric small so that they don't enter the stitchline.
The first few steps are for view B only. If you are sewing view A, skip ahead to step 3.
Step 1 - With right sides touching, pin each Middle Front to its coordinating Side Front, matching notches. Stitch. This line of stitching must be sewn on a normal sewing machine using a stretch stitch (not a serger). Press the seam allowances open.
Step 2 - Topstitch along either side of the seams, 1⁄8” away.
(Practice stitches on scrap fabric first. If your fabric has no vertical stretch, you can simply elongate a straight stitch to about 3.5 mm for this topstitching. If your fabric does contain vertical stretch, we recommend using either a triple stitch, stretch stitch, or elongated zigzag stitch to avoid popping stitches when wearing.)
The wrong side will look like this.
I like to give this a press with steam afterwards so set stitches and help reset areas that got a bit wavy from stitching.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the Middle Back and Side Back pattern pieces.
ALL VIEWS
(Note that for the remainder of the instructions, View A (nonpanelled) will be depicted, but the instructions pertain to both views.)
Step 3 - With right sides touching, pin one Front to its coordinating Back at the inner leg seam, matching notches.
Stitch using either a stretch stitch or by serging.
Press seam allowances open or towards one side. If you are serging like me, I like to press one legs seam allowances towards the front and the other towards the back to reduce bulk at the crotch seam.
Repeat for the other leg.
Step 4 - With right sides touching, pin one Front to its coordinating Back at the side seams, matching notches.
Stitch by either serging or using a stretch stitch.
Press the seam allowances open or towards the back.
Repeat for the other leg.
Step 5 - With one leg inside out and one leg right side out, put the inside out leg into the other, matching up the raw edges of the crotch as well as the inner leg seams and notches. Pin.
Stitch by either serging or using a stretch stitch.
Press the seam allowances open or towards one side.
That is it for today. Super easy and fast. This is a good time to try on your pants and make adjustments if necessary. Tomorrow we will return and finish our Ayla pants up.
