How to Make Jodhpurs
Jodhpurs are riding breeches that are full around the hips and taper at the knees. They are tight from the knees to the ankles. Wearing these instead of other styles of riding breeches allows more airflow in the leg area thus keeping the rider a little cooler in hot areas of the world, like India. These pants can be made at home by adjusting a large pair of pants.
Things you’ll need
- Sewing machine
- Large heavy trousers (moleskin or tweed is best)
- Thread that matches the color of the trousers
- Chalk or fabric pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors
Instructions
- Find a pair of big, heavy trousers. You will have the best results if you use pants made with moleskin or tweed, as this material is a heavy material. Be sure the pants are very baggy in the thighs and hips. This is necessary for creating this style of riding pants.
- Turn the pants inside out. Put them on so you can measure the adjustments needed to be made.
- Get the fabric pencil. Pull the pants tight around your knees and put a mark on the pants next to your knee. The mark should give you a guide as to where to cut the pants to make them tight around your knees and ankles.
- Take the pants off and lay them on a table. Using your ruler draw out the lines you will use as a sewing guide. Make the lines on each leg of the pants about a half-inch larger than the mark you already made. This will make the adjusted trousers tight but not too tight for movement.
- Prepare your sewing machine with the thread. Sew along the line you made on each leg of the pants. Make the seam long so you can easily remove the seam if the pants are not correct. Once you have finished, turn the pants the right way.
- Try the adjusted pants on and see if they fit to your liking. Walk and move about the room to be sure they fit comfortably and correctly. If they are not correct turn them back inside out, remove the seams and try again following the above steps.
- Tighten the seams once the trousers are correct by using a shorter seam on your sewing machine. Then you will need to cut off the extra material that is not needed with your scissors.