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Elasticated Trousers | Beginner Dressmaking Pattern

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A beginner-friendly dressmaking pattern, create loose-fitting trousers adaptable for any size or age.

These custom-fit lounge trousers are great for kids or adults, and the length can be adjusted also to make long trousers or shorts. All you need is a pair of existing trousers or jeans to base your pattern on! If you prefer a closer fit for your trousers, you could adjust the width as you like, too.

Materials: The amount of fabric you need will depend on your size and the length of trousers you’d like to make. To work out what you will need, measure the overall length of the trousers on which you are basing your pattern – from the top of edge of the waistband to the bottom edge of one leg – and add 4in (10cm) to determine the length of fabric needed. Measure the trousers at their widest point – this will be around the hip area – then add 4in (10cm) to this. Multiply this measurement by 4 to get the width of fabric needed.

So, for my trousers which are based on a size 10, I used 44in (1.25m) length of fabric, 56in (1.5m) wide.

You will also need a reel of elastic, and from it cut a length long enough to go comfortably around your waist.

Make up your first and second pair of trousers from scrappy fabric, such as an old sheet, as you may need to adjust the measurements slightly in your paper pattern (see steps 3 and 4). Then, once you are happy with the fit, you’ll have a pattern you can use over and over again! Pattern paper is ideal to make your template from, as these have special markings on them to help you position and mark measurements accurately. However, not to worry if you don’t have pattern paper just yet – wallpaper will do the trick!

I’ve used stretch jersey here, but woven cotton would work just as well. I’ve sewn the seams with my overlocker as I’m using a stretch fabric, but if you don’t have one of these you can easily seam your stretch fabric on a sewing machine, using an overlock foot and overedge stitch or (if your machine doesn’t have this foot or setting) a regular presser foot and zigzag stitch.

Inspiration: To make the matching PJ set, I simply cut out a heart shape from the same fabric as the trousers and fused it to the front of a shop-bought t-shirt, using a double-sided adhesive sheet. I then finished off the heart appliqué by machine sewing satin stitch around the edge.

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine or overlocker
• Coloured pens or pencils (optional)
• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
• Paper scissors
• Pins or clips
• 2 safety pins

Materials

• Fabric (as calculated above)
• 1in (2.5cm) wide elastic, cut to sit comfortably at your waist.
• Pattern paper or wallpaper
• Co-ordinating thread

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