How to Sew Comfy Palazzo Pants From Scratch
This tutorial will show you how to sew palazzo pants that fit perfectly, from scratch. You’re going to cut and fit them to your exact measurements.
Palazzo pants patterns are quite straightforward to sew because the legs are straight and wide and they don’t have to fit tightly.
This project is suitable for a confident beginner who is ready to start making their own patterns.
Tools and materials:
- Light to medium weight fabric at least 45 inches (115 cm) wide
- 8 inch (20 cm) pants zipper
- Hook and eye fastening (optional)
- Fabric marker
- Measuring tape
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Pins
- Hand sewing needle and thread (optional)
- Sewing machine
- Zipper foot (optional)
Tools and materials:
- Light to medium weight fabric at least 45 inches (115 cm) wide
- 8 inch (20 cm) pants zipper
- Hook and eye fastening (optional)
- Fabric marker
- Measuring tape
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Pins
- Hand sewing needle and thread (optional)
- Sewing machine
- Zipper foot (optional)
1. Draft the pattern fronts
I’m using my own measurements here, so you will need to substitute yours for mine.
You will need to know your waist, hip and upper thigh circumference plus 2 inches (5 cm) for ease and seam allowance, divided by four.
You will also need to know your front and back crotch length and the overall length of your pants down the outside leg from the waist.
The width of your fabric will be the maximum length of your pants.
Fold your fabric in half widthways.
Measure and mark 8 inches (20 cm) or a quarter of your waist measurement from the open edges up one selvedge.
Measure 10 inches (2.5 cm) across the fabric from that mark for the front crotch depth.
Mark 13 inches (32.5 cm) from the lower edge to the last mark for the thigh width.
Draw in the curved crotch line back to the waist edge.
Draw in the hip curve from the lower edge to the waist.
Straighten the lower edge.
Continue marking the thigh circumference down the length of the leg.
Measure 1 inch (2.5 cm) down from the waist edge at the top of the crotch.
Taper the line to the outer waist edge.
Cut out the front pieces.
2. Draft the pattern backs
Place the front sections on the rest of the fabric, lining up the outside leg close to the cut edges.
Trace the front outer leg seam from hem to waist on to the fabric.
Mark 2 inches (5 cm) from the front crotch on to the back panel, to make the back crotch deeper than the front.
Mark the back waist 1 inch (2.5 cm) wider than the front.
Connect the back waist to the crotch with a curved line.
Continue drawing the inner leg seam, making the back 2 inches (5 cm) wider than the front.
Cut out the back sections.
3. Back darts
Join the center front and center back seams with the right sides facing.
Measure 4 inches (10 cm) from the center back seam at the waist line.
Sew 4.5 inch (11.25 cm) long darts at this point on both back pieces.
4. Assemble the pants
Place the front section on top of the back with the right sides together.
Matching the crotch seams, pin and sew the inner leg seams together.
Pin the outer leg seams together, leaving an 8 inch (20 cm) opening at the top of one leg for the zipper.
Fold back and press the seam allowance for the zipper opening.
Open the zipper.
Using a zipper foot if you have one, sew the zipper tape to the folded edge of the seam allowance on each side.
Sew as close to the teeth as you can and stitch across the bottom of the zipper tape below the end stop, to hold it in place.
Continue the stitching line down the remainder of the seam on that side. Sew the other outer leg seam as usual.
5. Make and attach the waistband
Cut a strip from the remaining fabric, 2 inches (5 cm) longer than your waist circumference and 2 inches (5 cm) wide.
Fold it in half lengthways with the wrong side inside.
Open the zipper and pin and sew the raw edges of the waistband to the inside of the pants.
Fold the waistband over to the right side to cover the raw edges.
Pin and top stitch it in place.
Optionally, hand sew a hook and eye fastening to the open ends of the waistband.
6. Finishing
Turn up a narrow double hem at the bottom of each leg and sew in place.
DIY palazzo pants
When you’ve made these palazzo pants once, you’ll have a well-fitting pattern that you can adapt in several ways.
You can add pockets into one or both side seams, make the waistband deeper or change it to an elasticated or paper bag waistband instead.
These pants look great in lots of different fabrics and always look good.
Tell me what you think of them in the comments below.
Then, check out this Quick and Easy Reversible Tote Bag Pattern Tutorial.
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