Sew custom-fit pants with our PDF sewing patterns for women, men, girls, boys, and kids. Our collection includes joggers, leggings, jeans, dress pants, casual pants, shorts, and athletic pants in sizes from preemie through adult 3XL. Each instant download pattern features detailed instructions with color photos, plus options for different rises, leg styles, pocket placements, and lengths. Create pants that actually fit your body - adjust rise, inseam, waist, and leg width for perfect comfort. Whether you need everyday casual pants, professional work pants, or comfortable loungewear, find patterns for every skill level and every occasion. Download your pattern and start sewing today.
Finding pants that fit well is one of the most frustrating clothing challenges. The waist gaps, the rise is too high or too low, the legs are too long or too short, they're tight in the thighs but loose in the waist - the fit problems are endless. When you sew your own pants, you control every measurement. Adjust the rise for comfort, customize inseam length, take in or let out the waist, modify leg width, and add or remove length wherever needed. Create pants that fit your unique body perfectly, whether you need everyday casual pants, professional work pants, comfortable joggers, or athletic wear.
Joggers & Knit Pants: Comfortable casual pants with elastic or drawstring waists, tapered legs, and relaxed fit. Perfect for everyday wear, lounging, and active days.
Leggings: Stretchy fitted pants in ankle length, capri, or full length. Great for layering, athletic wear, or casual wear.
Jeans & Denim: Classic five-pocket jeans, jeggings, and denim-style pants in various rises and leg styles.
Dress Pants & Trousers: Tailored pants for work and professional settings with structured waistbands, fly fronts, and professional details.
Casual Woven Pants: Everyday pants in comfortable fabrics - chinos, khakis, utility pants, and pull-on styles.
Athletic Pants: Performance pants for working out - moisture-wicking fabrics, athletic fits, and movement-friendly features.
Shorts Patterns: All styles from casual knit shorts to tailored woven shorts and athletic styles.
Find pants patterns for everyone in your family. Women's pants patterns include leggings, joggers, dress pants, jeans, and casual pants in sizes XXS-XXXL. Men's pants patterns offer joggers, jeans, chinos, dress pants, and athletic pants in sizes XS-3XL. Girls pants patterns and boys pants patterns include comfortable everyday styles from preemie through size 14. Kids and baby pants in sizes perfect for growing children.
New to sewing pants? Start with simple styles that build confidence. Knit joggers or pull-on pants with elastic waists are perfect first pants projects - no zippers, no fly fronts, no complicated fitting. The elastic waist is forgiving and the knit fabric stretches to hide small mistakes. Pajama pants are another excellent beginner choice - they're loose-fitting, simple to construct, and don't require precise fitting. Leggings work well for beginners comfortable with knit fabrics. Once you've mastered basic pants construction, progress to styles with pockets, then try woven pants with zippers and fly fronts. Our beginner patterns include several pants options designed specifically for new sewists.
Rise - the distance from crotch seam to waistband - dramatically affects comfort and fit. Low rise sits below the natural waist for a modern casual look. Mid rise hits at or just below the natural waist - the most universally comfortable option. High rise comes up to or above the natural waist, offering more coverage and a vintage-inspired look. Many people have strong rise preferences based on body type and comfort. Long torsos often prefer high rise while short torsos prefer low or mid rise. Athletic builds might need different rises for different activities. The beauty of sewing is you can adjust rise to your exact preference - add or remove length between the waistband and crotch seam.
Match fabric to pants style and use. For joggers and casual knit pants: French terry, sweatshirt fleece, cotton jersey, ponte knit, or athletic knits with spandex. For leggings: Four-way stretch knit with good recovery - look for cotton-spandex blends or athletic knits. For jeans: Denim or stretch denim with 2-5% spandex for comfort and movement. For dress pants: Structured wovens like gabardine, suiting fabric, or tropical wool. For casual woven pants: Cotton twill, canvas, linen, or chambray. For athletic pants: Performance knits with moisture-wicking properties and four-way stretch. Always check the pattern recommendations - knit pants need stretchy fabric while woven pants need non-stretch or minimal stretch fabric.
One of the best parts of sewing pants is getting perfect length and leg proportions. Adjust inseam length for your exact height - no more too-long or too-short pants. Lengthen or shorten at the marked lines on the pattern. Create cropped, ankle, or full-length versions from the same pattern. Modify leg width for your preference - make skinny, straight, or wide-leg versions. Taper legs for a modern slim fit or widen them for comfort and style. These adjustments transform one pattern into multiple styles.
Functional pockets make pants actually usable. Many of our pants patterns include multiple pocket options. Side seam pockets hide in the side seams for a clean look and are perfect for hands and small items. Back patch pockets add function and style. Front slash pockets offer classic jean-style functionality. Cargo pockets add utility to casual and work pants. Zippered pockets secure phones and valuables during athletic activities. Welt pockets create professional details on dress pants. Make pockets deep enough to actually hold things - shallow decorative pockets are frustrating.
Sewing lets you fix fit problems that plague store-bought pants. Gaping waist: Take in center back seam or add darts. Tight thighs, loose waist: Grade between sizes - cut larger in hips/thighs and smaller at waist. Too much fabric in crotch: Reduce rise or scoop out crotch curve slightly. Pulling or tightness in crotch: Add to rise or deepen crotch curve. Baggy seat: Take in back rise or add small darts. Long or short inseam: Adjust length at marked lengthen/shorten lines. Making a muslin (test version) lets you identify and fix these issues before cutting good fabric.
Well-made pants include professional construction details. Reinforce the crotch seam - it's a high-stress area that needs double stitching or flat-felled seams. Finish seams with serging or zigzag to prevent fraying. Use proper interfacing in waistbands for structure and stability. Install zippers neatly with even topstitching. Create professional fly fronts with clean shield construction. Hem with appropriate techniques - blind hem for invisible finish, topstitched hem for casual styles, or cuffed hems. Bar tack stress points at pocket corners and fly ends. These details separate handmade pants that look professional from obviously homemade ones.
Our pants patterns include comprehensive size ranges - preemie through size 14 for children, and XXS through 3XL for adults, with many patterns extending even larger. Each pattern includes detailed size charts based on waist, hip, and inseam measurements. Bodies vary significantly in proportions - some people have larger waists, others have fuller hips or thighs. You can grade between sizes, cutting one size at the waist and another at the hips. Tall and petite options accommodate different heights without changing the overall fit. This customization is the biggest advantage of sewing over buying.
Store-bought pants rarely fit well because mass production can't account for individual body variations. When you sew, you get perfect length without alterations, the right rise for your torso, proper leg width for your build, and a waist that actually fits without gaping. Choose quality fabrics instead of settling for thin, cheap materials. Add the pockets you want in the places you need them. Create colors and styles that work for your life. For people with proportions that don't match standard sizing - tall, petite, athletic builds, fuller figures - sewing is often the only way to get truly well-fitting pants. Plus, alterations on store-bought pants often cost as much as the fabric to sew your own.
Take accurate measurements - waist, hips, rise, and inseam. Compare to pattern size charts and choose based on your largest measurement. Make a muslin for your first pair or for expensive fabric - this test version lets you perfect the fit. Mark lengthen/shorten lines and adjust before cutting. Reinforce the crotch seam with double stitching. Use a walking foot for knits to prevent stretching. Press seams thoroughly - especially inseams and side seams. Install zippers carefully with even topstitching. Practice fly construction on scraps first if you're new to it. Add extra length to hems so you can adjust if needed. Try on as you sew to catch fit issues early.
How long does it take to sew pants?
Simple knit joggers take 2-3 hours. Woven pants with pockets and zippers take 4-6 hours. Your first pair takes longer, but you'll get faster with each pair you make.
What's the easiest pants pattern for beginners?
Start with pull-on knit joggers or pajama pants with elastic waists. These don't require zippers, fly fronts, or precise fitting, and the elastic waist is very forgiving.
How much fabric do I need?
This varies by size, style, and length. Most adult pants need 2-3 yards of fabric, while kids' pants need 1-2 yards. Each pattern includes a detailed yardage chart showing exactly how much you need.
Should I make a muslin first?
For your first pair or for fitted styles like jeans and dress pants, yes. For loose joggers or pajama pants, you can skip it. A muslin lets you test and adjust fit before cutting expensive fabric.
Can I adjust the rise if it's too high or too low?
Yes! Add or remove length between the crotch seam and waistband. Most patterns have a marked area where you can adjust rise. This is one of the most important fit adjustments.
How do I get pants to fit if I'm between sizes?
Grade between sizes - cut one size at the waist and another at the hips. Or choose based on your largest measurement and take in other areas. This is much easier than trying to alter store-bought pants.
What if I'm tall or petite?
Lengthen or shorten the pattern at the marked lines. You can adjust both the rise and the inseam independently to get perfect proportions for your height. Many patterns offer tall/petite options built in.
