Measure from your hip to your heel and add 3 inches to the measurement. The additional 3 inches allows for the pants to blouse over the ankle cuff. Multiply your measurement by 2 (in order to have sufficient fabric for both legs). Next, divide that figure by 36. This calculation will tell you how many yards of fabric you will need.

Tip: if you do not feel entirely confident you might try making a pair out of an old sheet. That way you can learn without botching on your beautiful fabric.

If there is a texture or some difference in one side of the fabric to the other begin this process by turning the fabric inside out so the seams will be on the correct side. If there is a design on the fabric be mindful to match the flow of the pattern before pinning and sewing.

Carefully fold your fabric in half and lay it on the floor, make sure the corners match. Cut the fabric on the fold. Tip: to ensure equally sized pieces insert a push pin at each corner of the fabric. After cutting you will have two pieces of fabric, fold both pieces in half and lay them side by side with the fold on the outside.

Measure 12 inches from the inside top edge straight down and mark. At this mark measure two inches in and mark again. Do this to both pieces of fabric. Begin your cut at the 12inch mark. Follow the two inch cut in and turn the scissors up cutting all the way to the waist band. When you are finished the cut will look a bit like a J. You have just cut the crotch of the pants.

Take the front J from the left side and front J from the right side, match them evenly and pin them together. Do the same to the back. With a zig zag stitch, sew along side the mark of your pins. Now you have stitched together the front side of the pants as well as the back.

The next step is to sew the legs closed and the crotch together. Starting from the ankle, pin the inside seam on the left leg. Continue all the way up to the crotch area, pinning the front and back J pieces together. Continue pinning down the right leg to the ankle. With a zig zag stitch sew along side the mark of your pins.

At the bottom of each pant leg turn up and pin a half inch of the fabric. Sew alongside the pins but leave approximately a quarter inch not sewed down. You can use a casing (extra wide bias tape works well) or turn down and pin an inch and a half of fabric around the waist. Sew alongside the pins but leave approximately a half inch not sewed down.

Take a piece of quarter inch wide elastic, place it around your ankle (it should be snug but not cutting the circulation) mark where it feels comfortable and cut. Match the cut piece of elastic against your spool of elastic and make one more. Take a safety pin and attach it to the end of your elastic. Push the safety pin through the small space you left free in the ankle cuff. Use the safety pin to thread the elastic through and out the open space again. Sew elastic closed and repeat on the other leg.

Take inch wide elastic and place it around your hips, it should be snug but not uncomfortable, mark and cut. Take a safety pin and attach it to the end of the elastic. Push the safety pin through the small space you left free in the waist band and thread the elastic through and out the open space again, sew the elastic closed and you're finished.