Flared Pants: How to Lengthen or Shorten a Pattern Without Losing Its Shape
Learn how to lengthen or shorten a flared pants pattern without losing its original shape. This practical mini class uses a miniature example and teaches a trick you can apply to any flared pants pattern.
Video class
This video is for members
Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.
What you’ll make
You’ll adapt a flared pants pattern to make the leg shorter or longer without losing the original flare at the hem.
The demonstration uses a miniature Olivia Leggings pattern printed on A4 paper, making the adjustment easy to see before you apply it to a full-size pattern.
What you’ll learn in this class
- Identify where to adjust the length of a flared leg pattern.
- Use a squared reference line to keep the adjustment accurate.
- Preserve the flare when shortening or lengthening the leg.
- Redraw the leg from the knee-area notches to the new hemline.
- Restore the hem allowance after the adjustment.
- Apply the method consistently to the front and back pieces.
Make it your own
Change the leg length to suit your project while keeping a flare you already like.
You can use the same principle with other flared pants patterns, whether you need a shorter hem or extra length.
This focused mini class demonstrates both shortening and lengthening on a small-scale pattern, then shows how the same technique applies to a full-size pattern.
Pattern & materials
Patterns are included with membership
Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.