Drafting Women's Pants Patterns

Drafting women's pants patterns isn't as hard as it may seem. 

Designing pants is primarily a matter of deciding on the leg shape and length, and the waist treatment.  

The trick, of course, is getting a good-fitting pant block - but once you have that, altering the style of the leg or adding a yoke is easy!


Before you create these pant styles, you'll need a well-fitting pant block.  You can create your pant block using a commercial pattern, or by drafting it from your own measurements. Drafting can be a bit complicated, but Craftsy's course, Patternmaking + Design: the Pants Sloper will walk you through it.


Wide leg pants, flared from the hip, are an easy-fitting, casual style.  They can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.

And they are one of the easiest pants to draft!

Of course, there are many variations of the flare pant - from boot cut pants to bell bottoms.  Pick your style, and add some flair  to your flares!



And don't forget shorts!  A nice bit of flare is a flattering shape for a pair of mid-thigh shorts, too!
Learn to create professional-looking pants with Craftsy's course,, Pant Construction Techniques


Pleated pants are a staple of a woman's wardrobe.  They are a classic trouser style and never really "go out of fashion".

You can add several pleats for a more 1980's fuller fit, or taper the legs, if you like. 

But a basic, trouser style pant with a pleat at the waist will always be appropriate for business or dressy occasions.


A tapered leg is another polished look for women's dress pants.

These are skinny pants, but not a knit legging. 

Worn with flats or heels, they can also be right for any occasion.

Tapered pants look best at ankle length, so show off those shoes!

Pants can also be dressed up with a yoke.

A yoke at the waist is a nice style detail that can set your pant design apart from others.

This yoke is the same as that explained in the skirt section - but the steps to create the yoke is the same for a pant or a skirt.

More Pant Styles

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