If you’ve ever wanted to make your own pants, then you’re in luck! In this post, I’ll show you how to draft a basic pant pattern so you can create pants that fit you perfectly. It’s a fun and rewarding project that doesn’t require too much experience with sewing. Let’s jump right in!
Step 1: Take Measurements
The first step in creating your own pants is to take accurate measurements of your body. You’ll need to measure your waist, hips, inseam, and outseam. Make sure you measure yourself in form-fitting clothing or even just your undergarments. You want to make sure you get the most accurate measurement possible.
Once you have your measurements, you’ll need to create a basic sketch of your pant pattern. You can do this on a piece of paper or use a computer program like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. Sketch out the following:
- Front pant leg
- Back pant leg
- Waistband
- Cuff or hem
Step 2: Draft Front and Back Pant Legs
Using your measurements, you can now begin to draft the front and back pant legs. Start with the front pant leg by drawing a straight line down the center of your sketch. From the top of the line, draw a line perpendicular to it that measures half of your waist measurement plus one inch. This will be the top of your pant leg.
Next, draw a line that extends from the bottom of the top line down to your desired inseam measurement. This will be the inseam of your pant leg. From the bottom of the inseam, draw a line that extends out to your hip measurement. Finally, draw a line from the end of the hip line back up to the top of the pant leg line.
To create the back pant leg, start by drawing a line down the center of your sketch. From the top of the line, draw a line perpendicular to it that measures half of your waist measurement plus one inch. This will be the top of your pant leg, just like the front pant leg.
Next, draw a line that extends from the bottom of the top line down to your desired inseam measurement but subtract 1 inch from the length. This will ensure that the back of your pants is slightly higher than the front. From the bottom of the inseam, draw a line that extends out to your hip measurement. Finally, draw a line from the end of the hip line back up to the top of the pant leg line.
Step 3: Draft Waistband and Cuff or Hem
Now that you have your front and back pant legs, you can create the waistband and cuff or hem. Start by drawing a rectangle for the waistband that measures your waist measurement plus 2 inches in width and 2.5 inches in height. This will be the front piece of your waistband. Next, draw another rectangle that measures your waist measurement plus 2 inches in width and 5 inches in height. This will be the back piece of your waistband.
To create the cuff or hem, measure the distance around the bottom of your pant leg and add 1 inch. Using this measurement, draw a rectangle that is 2 inches tall and the length of your pant leg measurement plus 1 inch. This will be the cuff or hem.
Step 4: Combine Front and Back Pant Legs
Using a ruler, align the front and back pant legs so that the inseam lines are touching. Tape the legs together at the inseam line. Next, tape the waistband pieces together at the side seams so that you have a front and back piece.
With the pants legs still taped together at the inseam, lay them out flat on a large piece of paper or cardboard. Using a straight edge, draw a line from the bottom of the crotch seam to the bottom of the outseam on both sides. Add an additional 1 inch from the bottom for seam allowance. Cut off the excess paper or cardboard.
Now that you have your front and back pant leg pieces connected, you can cut out your pattern from your fabric. Don’t forget to leave room for seam allowance around each piece.
Step 5: Sew Your Pants
Using your newly-created pant pattern, cut out your fabric pieces and assemble your pants. Sew the inseams of both pant legs together, and then sew the outside seams together. Attach the waistband and hem or cuff your pants to finish them off. And just like that, you have a brand new pair of pants that are custom fit to your body!
Creating your own pants may seem like a daunting task, but with this basic pant pattern, it’s easier than you think. Give it a try and see just how fun and rewarding creating your own clothing can be!
