Yoga Shorts Pattern For Women – Zera (Free For Now)

yoga shorts pattern

This pattern is part of the New Year's Resolution Workout Wear collection.  This is the Easy Yoga shorts pattern for women.

A long time ago when my family and I moved from Paris to Sydney, I did not know anyone in our new neighborhood.  I needed to work out some anxiety issues. New town, new house, new friends, new school and friends for my kids, finding some personal fulfillment and not knowing how to drive… all that caused a lot of stress.  To help work through it all, I joined a gym, one of those chains where they teach many classes but not real in-depth instruction.  So I decided that running on the treadmill and Thai boxing would give me the release of endorphins I much needed to get me going with the brand new daily routine.

yoga shorts

In one of these boxing classes, I got distracted and got hit on the chest causing one of my disks in the lower back to move.  The pain knocked the wind out of me at the time but things got even worse.  Every night after that and for the next two years I slept in three hours shifts, forcing me to get up and stretch to release the pain and go back to sleep.  It was a very tiring and painful time for me.  I spent money and time looking for someone who would help me without the need of surgery.

Yoga shorts pattern

It was not until we moved to Singapore that I found a surgeon who asked me a bizarre question… Do you want the easiest, shortest and potentially least painful way (surgery) or a more holistic longer way to fix this?   I chose the longer way simply because the thought of surgery on my back terrified me.  Why would a surgeon suggest the longer route that didn't, in fact, involve surgery?  On the surgeon's wall, among his many diplomas, there was a series of pictures of a woman who turned out to be his wife in very intricate yoga poses.  Her name was Zera (which means new beginning) and she had the same injury as I did.  When the doctor caught me staring at the picture he said: “What you see is a big part of the longer route.  Learn Yoga, and the best way to learn it is to become an instructor.”  I was hooked and took the plunge to become a certified yoga instructor.  Ten years have flown by since then, and I have been pain-free for eight of them.

Yoga shorts pattern

Yoga is an exercise routine that helps your posture, deep muscle tone, concentration and overall happiness. What's not to like?

Yoga shorts pattern

This is my gift to you, a Yoga shorts pattern for women to plunge into a new beginning.  They are great for creating a new pain-free you, or simply to wear around the house.

Materials

  1. One yard of knit fabric with a minimum of 25% stretch
  2. Ballpoint needle
  3. Thread to match
  4. Rotary cutter
  5. Cutting mat
  6. Overlocker/coverstitch machine (ideal, but not absolutely necessary)

Fabric recommendations









Pattern Layout

Yoga shorts pattern

Body Guide Measurements

Size Waist Hips Thigh
4 22 31 1/2″ 15″
6 23 32 1/2″ 16″
8 24 33 1/2″ 17″
10 25 34 1/2″ 18″
12 26 1/2″ 36 19 1/2″

How To Download

We will continue using the new Payhip web store to distribute our patterns. 

Our patterns are still free, but now you have the option of making a small contribution if you like our work! We'd appreciate it, and it will help us keep going with new and fun designs like this. Even a dollar or two goes a long way.

Thanks so much in advance for helping us out.  You can use any credit card, and you don't need a Paypal account, although you can use one if you have one.

Fitting Your Yoga Shorts Pattern

The key to this Yoga shorts pattern is the waistband and hem.  Take the 25% stretch of the fabric into consideration when you are choosing your size.  Measure from your crotch to above your belly button and compare that distance with the crotch plus the band minus the seam allowance (3/8″) (1cm). Then you will know if the shorts will cover more or less what you need. Ideally, the band will fall right above your bellybutton and the hem will be 3 3/4″(9.5cm) from the crotch.

Sewing And Cutting Instructions

This project is for advanced beginners to intermediate sewers.  The pattern has only two pieces but all of them will be required to be cut twice, so fold your fabric and place the pieces on top of the fabric and use some weights and a rotary cutter for better results.

The seam allowance for this pattern is 3/8″ (1cm).  For best results use an overlocker.

Notice there is no side seams and the entire shorts can be finished with five seams.

Step One:

Yoga shorts pattern

Place one of the leg pieces print side up. Place the other leg piece print side down.  Prints are together. You will sew the crotch first.

Sew at 3/8″.

Yoga shorts pattern

Sew at 3/8″.

Step Two:

Yoga shorts pattern

Fold the shorts so the crotches are now in the middle, one on top of another.  You will now be sewing the legs.  Sew from one leg to the next. 

Step Three:

Yoga shorts pattern

Align the waistband pieces with the print sides together. Sew the sides. You will end up with a band.

Yoga shorts pattern

Fold the waistband top to bottom.  

Divide the band into four equal parts, taking in consideration that the stitching makes the sides mark the front and back.

Align the seams to the side of the shorts and the other two marks to the crotch stitching or to the front and back.

Yoga shorts pattern

Pin on this four marks, and sew at 3/8″. Stretching the waistband between the 4 parts.

Six stitching lines are all it took to make these super comfortable yoga shorts that I hope you can enjoy for many summers to come.

As I have mentioned before, this is part of the workout wear collection — check out the other free patterns here. (place link to the updated version of the collection.)

Let me know in the comments below what another garment would you like me to share with.  Until then stay pain-free and keep on moving. Happy sewing!

These shorts would certainly go well with our Ultimate Sports Bra pattern, which is also part of our workout wardrobe.


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Imogheena

Oh! I’ve been through that too. And yep, 2 yrs of physio and pilates, including being a very good girl and doing my physio-pilates exercises at home every day – and worst of all, RESTING! So hard, so against my nature! But I HAD to give my body a chance to heal it all.

I am hypermmobile and it turns out it’s very common in hypermobile people (oh yay…)

I do pilates. I don’t like Yoga as I’m too bendy. Pilates works so well for me and my brain likes it as it was developed through working with dancers, and I’m a dancer. It has been around in the dance world for decades but it was only about 15 yrs ago I was able to try it. Still doing it. Still dancing.

However I found when teaching dance that people who do yoga have incredible stability and balance, and an odd sense of inner calmness not just mentally, but as if physically they are calm deep inside too. It’s quite beautiful.

Thankyou for the gift of your story and why you are giving this pattern to others.

I definitely go through pilates/yoga gear pretty quickly! I need some new shorts… 🙂

Linda H
Linda H

You know us larger ladies would like to try yoga too…. how about something for us!
And I wear yoga shorts under my dresses in summer – it prevents chafing and stickiness. Very comfortable. And I have found some with pockets on the top of the thigh… so I can carry my phone if the dress doesn’t have pockets.

Diana Pretorius
Diana Pretorius

Thank you so much for this pattern. I have since tried 4 of your patterns and all fit perfectly. I am not on the smaller side, and the size 12 of this yoga shorts fits me well. I used fabric which has slightly more than 25% stretch. These shorts are super comfortable! I have sewn them in Nylon Lycra and Jersey Fabric. For the Jersey shorts I used T-shirting fabric for the waistband, as that’s what I had, and it gave a nice contrast. You are so very kind to share these free patterns. May you be blessed in your work.

Lizzy
Lizzy

Is this pattern for children?! Wasted 2 yards of fabric trying to make them fit… I’m not a large person by any means but the size 12?!?! Is too small?!?!

Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

The pattern states “yoga shirts for women”. Good thing I looked at the measurements! I can’t wait to start sewing: I especially like the fact that no elastic is required in the waistband m

Blanca Madrigal
Blanca Madrigal

So, I usually wear size 4/6…but I’m measuring 12 or more…is this right?

Naomi H
Naomi H

Made these a few sizes bigger by measuring the difference in each size on the pattern and adding on the right amount for my measurements based on that. From memory, but please check your printed out pattern first, it was something like 1cm bigger for each size. This resulted in a well fitting pair of shorts, and I’d definitely recommend. My mum wants some too to wear under dresses in summer. For my personal preferences I’ll make the back of the shorts a bit higher next time as I like my butt and back waistband even higher. Lovely pattern, thank you for making this free 🙂

Jacqueline MacDonald-Cheong
Jacqueline MacDonald-Cheong

Is this the new pattern yet or still the trial? I’m a little confused with the size, as a petite adult who is on the thin size, I am usually a size 6 or 8 in Australia, but it looks like for whatever reason I am larger than a size 12 here, has the stretch of the fabric been taken into account or is this something I have to consider individually? I am thinking this is kids sizes because I am usually a 14 in kids? I usually find it difficult to find clothes that fit because I am so small, so this is really strange.

Chris
Chris

Same thing for me… 🙁

Emy
Emy

I cannot wait to see a pair for myself! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen, but I ordered a Janome machine. I can’t wait to get back into it! How did you become a yoga instructor? I’ve considered becoming an instructor, but I wouldn’t even know where to go to get certified.

Carolyn
Carolyn

Thank you so much for a great pattern! These are what I love to wear for summer walks and yoga at home. They are so comfortable. It seems there are a lot of us looking for larger sizes and I was wondering if you have an expanded size pattern yet, after reading through the comments here.

Marie
Marie

Hi, Is this right pattern already?

Chris
Chris
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Bonjour Mayra Cecilia, est-ce que votre patron est fait pour adulte ou pour enfant? Les mesures sont des mesures d’enfants, mais les instructions disent que c’est pour adulte… Je ne comprend pas. Il a l’air tellement chouette!!!

Julia Bell
Julia Bell

Thanks so much for these! Do you hem the legs? Not mentioned in the basic instructions, and probably not need for knits… it just looks in the picture and the diagram that there are hems. In the order of operations, would that be last?

Casey
Casey

Thanks for sharing this pattern. I just made a pair today and they turned out very nice… I’m looking forward to making a few more.

Test the stretch of your fabric before you start to sew people!!!! size 12 worked well for me.

Chris
Chris
Reply to  Casey

Are you wearing small or medium normally?

Jennifer
Jennifer

Hiya! I know this may sound like a silly question: I know I end up with 2 pieces for the waistband, however, do I end up with 4 separate leg pieces, or just 2? Thanks!

francesca
francesca

if youre looking for anyone my size to pattern test i’m 30waist 40 hip for these? keen to try finding some in larger sizes.

francesca w
francesca w
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Hi there, do you want me to send it you by email when i get it or shall i just pop it on here? I think what your’e doing is so talented by the way, when my uni asked in a survey who do i follow online, i gave you as one of my two answers. It’s so much more interesting.

Misty
Misty
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Where you ever able to make a larger size pattern for these?

francesca w
francesca w
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Did you manage to finish the bigger sizes? I emailed you and wondered if it got lost in my spam 🙂 cant wait to try them out

Jenner
Jenner

Hi, I downloaded the pattern only to find it only goes up to size 12, I was looking forward to making the ultimate sports bra, and the yoga shorts as a set, are you going to be making the pattern in larger sizes?

Betty J
Betty J

Is the new pattern posted yet or still in testing phase? Will plus sizes be offered? If not I’m sure I can adapt it.

Jean DeNio
Jean DeNio
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

46 hip, 40 1/2 waist, wear a 36H or 34HH bra. Would I work as a tester?

Thanks!

Jean

Imogheena
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Hi I’m very hourglass!

I’m 106ish bust (14-16Dish)
And 83cm ish waist (perimenopause is crazy!)
116ish hips (depending on how much horseriding and ballet I’ve been doing!)

I’m also short, so am forever folding out a few inches in the waist area!

I’d love to be a pattern tester for you! Especially lingerie and loungewear. I’m in the tropics so not likely to be able to help with coats and jumpers etc!!!

I’ve been following you for years 🙂 Part of why I started was because you obviously have lived in the tropics, and understand what it’s like 🙂

anne
anne

Hi! If waistline is 31″ and hip width is 39.5″, would the biggest size (12) fit? How do I incorporate the 25% stretch of the fabric? Sorry I’m a bit confused and would like to make sure the pair I’ll be making will fit nicely. Thanks in advance!

Estelle Gouyer
Estelle Gouyer

I did the smaller size for my children dance group , it seems to fit for a 10-12 years girl . The design is perfect for dance .
Thank you very much

Laurie
Laurie

Hello, the sizes shown are for the finished garment? Because generally I do 8-10 and there if I take my measurements, I would be beyond the sizes of board …

Karen
Karen
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Where can I get this in a larger size? I would also be glad to be a tester of patterns. I am six feet tall. I have broad shoulders. I have never and will never be a size 12 unless it is an over sized garment. In ready to wear my top is between 16 and 18. Bottoms 18 to 14 depending on stretch and ease.

Autumn
Autumn
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Is the new version available yet? I fit these sizes but I was curious about the updated version also. Thankyou x

Robin Flatt
Robin Flatt

These look like just what I’m looking for to get back into shape (finally) after 10+ years of hospitalizations, surgeries, and more of the same over and over. I now have been 1 year problem free and am given approval to begin with yoga and tai chi. Problem is that there’s no way I’d fit any of these you have available. Can you still use a large size tester? I’m one of those people who, prior to the surgeries, had a VERY curvy size 7 hourglass figure, and still have a shadow of one, but from the side it isn’t apparent at all anymore. I’m now in size 16- 18, depending on the fit of the maker. Waist 43 1/2″, hips 53″ but I firmly intend to reduce those measurements very soon 😉
Thanks for your great tutorials! I’ll be looking forward to your next, and the next after that, and…

Karla Harvey
Karla Harvey

Hola Mayra, Espero que no sea muy tarde ya para incorporarme al grupo de prueba de talla grande. Estoy ilusionada de poder hacerme esos shorts, Yo tengo 3 meses de estar practicando yoga (Bikram, Yin Yan y Hitt) y estoy muy contenta con los resultados. Asi que me hace tanta ilusion tener ropa de yoga hecha por mi. Abrazos

Anne

Sorry I lost my comment. I would be willing to be a pattern tester for this or any of your other patterns in larger size. I am 5’11”, long crotch because of height and big butt! Waist 38″ Hips 49″ an A/8 figure with highish hips and little waist. I have back issues and am starting yoga alongside tai chi and walking

Coreen Murphy
Coreen Murphy

Mayra, I would love to be a pattern tester for you. If you send me an email, I will reply with my measurements to see if you still need my size tested. I’m looking forward to working with you. Thank you