Tutorial: Making Shoe Slack

What a great idea someone gave me for a gift for our two sons and their wives. It’s especially appropriate because I can use it as a way to let them know the details of the rest of their gift. We have a Mexican Riviera Cruise planned that we are treating them to so I decided to make them each a pair of “shoe slacks”. Since I managed to figure out how to make them, Kathryn suggested I share the idea with you. They are “sew” easy to make, you’ll want to make some for gifts or maybe you’d like a few of your own for the next time you travel and pack a suitcase.

What you need:

5/8 yd. of fabric – soft denim or corduroy is best (for keeping in dirt)

Matching thread

11” of trim (lace, eyelet, ric rac) or buttons

One hook & eye or snap

How to cut:

For band first – cut 1 piece 4 ½” x 20”

For the legs – cut 2 pieces each 16 ½” wide x 15 ½” long

For pockets – cut 2-5 ½” squares

How to sew:

(Use approximately 3/8” seams throughout and best to follow directions in order, one step at a time.)

Make pockets by turning under ½” on top, press and sew trim under fold with it showing above. (Or sew button or ric rac on right side through fold on back.) Press under ½” on the other three sides. Turn under each bottom corner to form peak and press.

With one pant leg piece right side up in front of you, position pocket approximately 2” from LEFT side edge with top of pocket approximately 3” below top edge. Attach pocket by stitching in place about 1/8” from edge. Do the same with the other pocket but place it 2” from the RIGHT edge.

Now fold each leg piece right sides together and stitch along the bottom and up the side for 8 ½”. Pin back edges (the ones nearest the pockets) right sides together and stitch. Pin front edges right side together and stitch 2” up from sewn seam. From that point up, overcast the right side edge. On the left side, turn edge under and stitch in place about ¼” from the folded edge (thus creating a “fly front”). 

Next fold right sides of band together in half lengthwise and stitch ends. Turn right sides out and press ½” under along one long edge. Using two rows of basting stitch (or elastic thread on bobbin), stitch at top of “slacks” to gather to fit band. Right sides together (slacks & unpressed side of band) put each end of band at each edge of front and stitch together. On the inside, hand sew (or machine stitch) folded edge of band over seam. Press.

To finish, sew “eye” at edge of right side of band and sew “hook” on left side. That’s it. What a great way to protect your clothes and suitcase.

Now I’m tucking the rest of the gift—the cruise invoice marked PAID—in one pocket and the explanation poem in the other. You could put a pair of socks in the pocket opposite the one with the poem.

 As for me, 2 done, 2 to go; as for you, discover how quick and easy they are to make.

Happy sewing!

By Sue Kirk