How To Lengthen A Trouser/Pants Pattern
Found the perfect trouser pattern but it needs lengthening ? Being 5’8” this is something I always encounter. I’m going to show you how to lengthen a trouser pattern using my Bramber Trousers. They have a turn-up hem so you can’t just add a few inches to the hem if you wish to keep this feature.
Although I’m using this specific pattern, the principal in the same for any trouser pattern. If you have a pattern with a plain hem and just want to lengthen them a little (3cm or 1.5 inches max), then you can just add that to the bottom of the trousers and you should be fine. But if you need to lengthen the pattern by more than that, or you also have a pattern with a turn-up hem, then you should follow the process outlined below.
The Bramber Trousers are designed to be cropped and drafted for a 5’4” height. I’m going to add in an extra to 8cm or 3.25” into the leg length in this demo, whilst maintaining the turn -up feature.
Want a plain hem rather than a turn up? Simply cut your fabric at the middle fold line on your pattern. This will leave a 3.5cm or 1.25” hem allowance to turn under for your plain hem.
I thought I’d add this in as, again it’s a very simple thing to do but gives you another ‘look’ to your trousers. I wanted to make this pattern as customisable as possible to give the purchaser lots of options. Once you’ve got your perfect fit you can then make several different looking pairs with the same pattern.
Sussex Seamstress is an independent pattern maker, based in Sussex, UK.
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