Paper Bag Pants Pattern – Dressing With Comfort Made So Easy

The paper bag pants pattern is a favorite of casual chic dressers.  It is a super easy project perfect for sewing over the weekend.  If you pair it with a cardigan and booties, vans shoes or sandals it is sure to become your favorite outfit when you are hoping to look cool but not overdressed.  For me, it is my Sunday afternoon casual look and was my favorite pair when I was expecting with two kids.

Two pockets in the front will ensure you can carry a few things like your phone and wallet.  It is also great for posing for pictures if that is important to you, I just love to place my hands inside my pockets when I am standing around.

The elastic waistband gives you room for a curvy bum or gives shape to a flat one.  Two pockets in the front and a belted waistband to tie your pants around your waist, tapered legs that fall just above your ankles round up this very comfortable design.

Experience level: Confident beginner

Materials

• 1.5 to 2 yards of cotton, cotton blend, Linen, Tencel, lightweight corduroy fabric but my favorite wool super 100
• Thread to match
• 1.5″wide elastic as wide as your waist
• 2 X 1″ grommets
• 2 small pieces of fusible interfacing the size of the grommets.
• 2 yards of satin or make your own tie using the same fabric

Tools

All tools are ideal but not essential

• Serger
• Rotary cutter
• Needle size 80
• Cutting matt
• Kam tool

Fabric Suggestions From Fabric.com

Pattern Layout

Pattern Download

Sizing Guidance

Pattern suits Body Sizes from 6 to 16.

How To Print And Assemble Your Pattern

Use Adobe Reader, Landscape Mode, and Actual Size to print the pattern.  You do not need any other program to print this pattern.

Note:  The waistband, hem allowance, and seam allowance are not included in the pattern.

How To Sew Your Paper Bag Pants

This paper bag pants pattern has no seam allowance so you need to add them yourself.

Step One:  Sewing The Slanted Pockets

These pants have slanted pockets.  All slanted pockets are sewn the same way.

Print side up of the front of the pants.  Print side down of side A pocket.  Turn iron and top stitch.

Align Pocket Side B print side down with Side A and stitch around the pocket. 

Use the serger or your sewing machine as I did to seal or clean the seams.

Step Two:  Joining The Legs Together

Here is the way I prefer to sew the legs of any pair of pants.  Front sides with prints together, sew from the waistband to the crotch but stop about 2″ from the end. Repeat the same on the backsides.

Sew the sides and the inner thighs. Use your serger to clean the sides and the inner thighs.

Finally, finish sewing the crotch.

Step Three:  Making The Waistband

Measure the circumference of the waistband.   

You will need these measurements to cut the fabric needed for the waistband X 8″ plus the seam allowance.

Fold the waistband and sew the sides together.

Fold the waistband from top to bottom. Mark the placement of the grommets on the front side of the waistband.  Each grommet will be located at the sides of the seam allowance two inches from the folded edge.

Apply the fusible interfacing where the grommets are to be placed.

If you do not know how to place grommets here is a tutorial for you. https://so-sew-easy.com/sewing-with-grommets-eyelets/

Fold the waistband then sew a stitching line on top of the grommets 1 3/4″ from the folded edge.

Align the grommets to the front of the pants and sew the waistband to the pants leaving a small opening so you can insert the elastic.

Using a bodkin or a safety pin insert the elastic.  Sew the elastic then close the waistband.  Use your serger to clean the seam allowance.

Step Four:  Hem The Pants

The best way to hem pants is using a blind hem or by hand.

Sewing an Invisible Hem – Sew A Skirt Series

All that remains to be done is make the pants tie using a 3/4″ satin ribbon or make your own using a strip of fabric from the pants.

To make your own tie, cut a strip of fabric the circumference of the pants plus 20″ plus seam allowance.

And you're done!  Please enjoy wearing these beautiful and comfortable pants.  Happy sewing!