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.

women's pants flared from hip


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.  You can even make a Sailor Pant!

Pick your style, and add some flair to your flares!



And don't forget shorts!  A nice bit of flare is a great shape for a pair of mid-thigh shorts, too.

They're a little bit skirty and flirty, and can be very flattering.
sketch of woman wearing purple flared shorts
Learn to create professional-looking pants with Craftsy's course,, Pant Construction Techniques

sketch of woman wearing brown pleated pants with a cuff


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. And a cuff with a crisp pressed crease is classic menswear styling.

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 not truly skinny pants(we show you how to do those, too), but they are a slimmer fit than the pant block.  

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!
sketch of woman wearing green tapered pants

More Pant Styles

sketch of woman wearing blue flared sailor pants
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