This free sewing pattern for summery trousers features a loose silhouette with an elastic waistband so they are adjustable. And are made in a colourful floral print with ribbon side ties for fairycore flair. I saw a pair of trousers like these ages ago but they were from a fast fashion brand so I obviously wouldn’t buy them. Then I decided to create a free sewing tutorial so everyone could learn how to make them! The open pant legs on the sides make these pants breezy and breathable so you can be covered yet comfortable on a hot spring or summer’s day. Last, but certainly not least, there are pockets of course!
I used a lightweight woven (non-stretch) cotton with a floral print, but you can use any lightweight woven fabric of your choice. Personally I prefer natural fibres for their comfort and reduced harm to the environment. I also sewed French seams for the inner legs and crotch of the pants but you can always do regular seams instead as those are easier and quicker.
What you will need:
- 2m/2.2 yards lightweight woven fabric
- thread that matches your fabric
- fusible interfacing
- 2.5cm/1 inch wide elastic for the waistband
- 2 safety pins
- a bobby pin
- tape measure
- a pair of loose fitting trousers to create the pattern
- sewing machine
- hand sewing needle
- fabric scissors
- iron
How to cut out the fabric pieces for the summery trousers
Here is a list of all the fabric pieces you will need to cut to make these loose pants. The dimensions, or the instructions on how to calculate them, will be in the following steps.
- 2 front trouser pieces
- 2 back trouser pieces
- waistband
- 4 pocket pieces
- side tie pieces
Step 1
Turn your pair of loose fitting trousers inside out and lay either the front/back on your fabric and trace/cut around it, making sure to include the seam allowance. Make sure to also stretch out the waistband of the pants (if it’s elasticated) so that the pants will be wide enough for you to fit. Once you have cut out the back piece, place the piece right sides together with the rest of the fabric and cut out your 2nd back piece. The back trouser pieces will have a longer crotch seam to fit your bum.
Step 2
Repeat Step 1 for the front of the trousers.
Step 3
The waistband is 8cm/3.2 inches wide (I doubled the width of my elastic and then added 3cm/1.2 inch for ease and seam allowance). It is 101cm long. I got the length by deducting 12cm/ inches of the seam allowance for the pants pieces (each piece has a total of 3cm seam allowance and there are 4 pieces), and then adding 2cm/ inch seam allowance for the waistband.
Step 4
Here is an annotated photo of the pocket pieces with dimensions. Remember you will need to cut out 2 pocket pieces with the diagonal pocket opening and 2 rectangular pocket pieces. The pocket pieces have a 16cm wide opening.
Step 5
For the side ties I cut a total of 24 pieces, each 3cm by 26cm (1.2 by 10.2 inches).
How to sew the main part of the trousers
Step 1
Sew the front trouser piece to the back trouser piece wrong sides together along the inner leg seam with 0.5cm/0.2 inch seam allowance. The inner leg seam goes from the crotch to the hem of the pants. Trim the excess seam allowance and iron so the trouser pieces are right sides together. Repeat for the other pant leg.
Alternatively, you can sew a regular seam by sewing the front trouser piece to the back trouser piece RIGHT sides together along the inner leg with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. If you like you can also finish the seam by using an overlocker or a zig-zag stitch or even binding.
Step 2
Now sew the front trouser piece to the back trouser piece right sides together along the inner leg with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance.
Step 3
Sew the pant legs wrong sides together along the crotch with 0.5cm/0.2 inch seam allowance. Trim the excess seam allowance and iron so the trouser pieces are right sides together.
Alternatively, you can sew a regular seam by sewing the pant leg pieces RIGHT sides together along the crotch with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. If you like you can also finish the seam by using an overlocker or a zig-zag stitch or even binding.
Step 4
Now sew the pant leg pieces right sides together along the crotch with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance, using the photo below as a guide.
Step 5
Fold over 0.5cm/0.2 inch of the side of the trousers and iron/press. Then sew along the edge. Repeat on all the sides of the trousers.
Step 6
Now fold over another 0.5cm/0.2 inch of the side of the trousers and iron/press. Then sew along the edge so that all the raw edges are hidden away. Repeat on all the sides of the trousers.
Step 7
Make sure that the trousers aren’t too long and then hem the bottom of the pants like in Steps 5 & 6.
How to sew the pockets
Step 1
Sew the pocket piece with the diagonal opening to the top corner of the front of the trousers right sides together with 0.5cm/0.2 inch seam allowance. Then trim off the corner from the front of the trousers and press/iron so that the pocket and the trousers are wrong sides together. Repeat for the other pocket.
Step 2
Now sew a topstitch about 0.5cm/0.2 inch away from the pocket opening seam. Repeat for the other pocket, too.
Step 3
Sew the other pocket piece to the pocket wrong sides together with 0.5cm/0.2 inch seam allowance, rounding the seam at the corner (if you want to). Don’t sew the top of the pocket as this will be sealed shut when you sew the waistband. Trim off the excess seam allowance and cut notches along the rounded corner. Then turn out the pocket and iron to flatten the seams. Repeat for the other pocket.
Step 4
Now sew the pocket pieces right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance, using the photo below as a guide. Repeat for the other pocket.
Step 5
Sew the top of each pocket to the front of the pants, this is called a staystitch.
How to sew the Side Tie Ribbons & Attach them to the Trousers
Step 1
Sew each tie piece right sides together along the long edge and one of the ends with 0.5cm/0.2 inch seam allowance. Trim off the excess seam allowance and the corner, before turning them out using the bobby pin and then ironing them flat. Repeat for all the ribbon ties.
Step 2
Sew the sides of the pants right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance until just past the pocket openings. I ended up trimming the back of the trousers so that the pant legs were the same length.
I inserted the 2 ties just before the end of the seam on each side of the trousers.
Step 3
I hand sewed the ribbon ties to the sides of the trousers 11cm/4.3 inches apart. I made sure that the last ribbon tie before the hem wasn’t too close so that it wouldn’t drag on the ground when the pants were being worn.
How to sew the elastic waistband
Step 1
Attach the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the waistband piece using an iron.
Step 2
Sew the waistband into a loop right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance.
Step 3
Sew the waistband to the waist of the trousers right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. Then iron/press a o.5cm/0.2 inch hem on the other side of the waistband.
Step 4
Press the waistband seam upwards and then fold over the waistband to cover the seam. Iron/press to keep it in place or secure with pins.
Step 5
Sew the waistband closed just under the seam, as shown in the photo below. Just leave about 10cm/4 inches open so you can insert the elastic.
Step 6
Make sure the elastic fits snugly around your waist, but can still stretch over your hips. Insert the elastic into the waistband using a safety pin and then sew the elastic into a loop. Then sew near the seam like in Step 5 to seal the waistband shut.
More Free Fairycore Sewing Tutorials
For those who are looking for some fairycore inspired trousers, here is my tutorial for patchwork pants, a great way to use up fabric scraps that are annoyingly small. These simple shorts with pockets could also be made to be patchwork.
Otherwise I have two skirt tutorials, both of which include pockets of course: the tiered maxi skirt, and the simple half-circle skirt. I made a matching mini slip dress (with adjustable tie straps) to wear as a top with the half circle skirt.
And also a more casual fairycore dress: a maxi dress with French seams, pockets, as well as elasticated straps and a waistband. If you would like a free sewing tutorial for a formal fairycore dress here is my easy satin slip dress with organza ruffles (and pockets of course!).
A sewing project that’s quick and easy but also fits the whimsical fairycore vibe is scrunchies. And I have tutorials for 2 variations: a simple scrunchie and a ruffle scrunchie.
DIY not AI
If you are sick and tired of being bamboozled by those too perfect AI images and want some inspiration from actual human beings, my Pinterest board, DIY NOT AI, awaits. This is the link, AKA magical portal, that will take you there. DIY NOT AI is also a group board that is OPEN TO CONTRIBUTORS!!! Whether you’re a crocheter, seamstress, knitter, or any other kind of DIY/handicraft creator this is The Place for you to promote your work to people who appreciate REAL quality over quantity. So what are you waiting for? Shoot me a dm on Pinterest to be added!
And that’s it for today! If you have any questions please comment below and I, or perhaps a kind internet stranger, will assist you.
Lots of love & light,
Maria