Cargo pants are a practical wardrobe staple that combine comfort, durability, and utility. Sewists love making cargo pants because they offer plenty of opportunities to learn garment construction techniques while creating a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down for everyday wear.
The Raina Cargo Pants Pattern from Winslet's is an excellent project for sewists looking to create structured cargo pants with classic utility details. Featuring a wide straight-leg silhouette, functional cargo pockets, side pockets, back patch pockets, and a fly-front closure, this pattern creates a timeless pair of pants you'll reach for again and again.
Why Sew Cargo Pants?
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Create a practical wardrobe staple suitable for everyday wear.
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Enjoy the convenience of multiple functional pockets.
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Sew a structured garment that pairs well with casual and streetwear outfits.
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Learn useful techniques such as pocket construction, fly-front installation, and waistband finishing.
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Customize your fabric choice for different seasons and styling preferences.
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Create durable handmade pants designed for regular wear.
Why Choose the Winslet's Raina Cargo Pants Sewing Pattern?
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Skill Level: Intermediate
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Wide straight-leg cargo pants silhouette
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Side seam pockets
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Cargo pockets with pocket flaps
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Back patch pockets
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Fly-front zipper closure
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Structured waistband with belt loops
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Available Sizes: US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
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Tape measure
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Chalk
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Shears
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Pins
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Iron
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Sewing machine
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Sewing needles
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3-ply polyester thread
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Thread cutter
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Nylon coil pant zipper
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Fusible interfacing
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Buttons
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Buttonhole attachment
Zipper Length:
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Use a 5" nylon coil pant zipper for sizes US 2, US 4–6, and US 8–10.
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Use a 6" nylon coil pant zipper for sizes US 12, US 14, US 16, and US 18.
Fabric Recommendations
Use light to medium-weight woven fabrics such as:
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Denim
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Cotton
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Cotton-wool blends
You can also use light to medium-weight knit fabrics with little to no stretch, including:
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Fleece
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Terry
Sample fabric used:
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Cotton Twill Slub
Size Charts
Check the size charts and measure yourself to select the correct size, using the garment and body measurement tables in the guide.
Verify how much fabric you need by referencing the fabric yield table in the guide.
Pattern Inventory: What Pieces to Prepare
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Front Leg – Cut x2 Fabric
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Back Leg – Cut x2 Fabric
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Side Pocket – Cut x2 Fabric
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Upper Side Cargo Pocket – Cut x2 Fabric
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Upper Side Cargo Pocket Flap – Cut x2 Fabric
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Bottom Side Cargo Pocket – Cut x1 Fabric
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Back Patch Pocket – Cut x2 Fabric
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Fly – Cut x1 Fabric
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Fly Cover – Cut x1 Fabric
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Waistband – Cut x2 Fabric
If using interfacing for the pockets or waistband, cut it from the same pattern piece without seam allowance and fuse it to the wrong side of the fabric.
Pattern Marking
The pattern includes the following markings:
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Waistline
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Fly marking
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Fly notch CF
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Center front marking
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Center back notch
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Crotch line
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Grainline
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Inseam
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Side seam
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Hemline
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Cargo pocket marking
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Pocket flap marking
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Pocket opening
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Pocket opening notch
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Pocket notch
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Side pocket notch
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Pocket top
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Pocket bottom
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Pocket edge
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Pocket side
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Seam allowance markings
These markings ensure accurate alignment of the pockets, fly front, waistband, and leg construction during assembly.
Cutting Layout
The guide provides cutting layouts for both 45-inch and 60-inch fabric widths.
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Position pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams.
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Ensure the grainline arrows run parallel to the fabric selvage.
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Pin pattern pieces before cutting for greater accuracy.
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Layouts are designed for non-directional fabrics.
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Purchase additional fabric when using fabrics with nap or directional prints.
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The illustrated layouts use a medium size for demonstration purposes.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams. Begin by positioning the pieces on the fabric, ensuring that the grainline arrow runs parallel to the selvage.
If you are using fabric shears, trace the pattern pieces and then cut them out, cutting away any pen, pencil, or chalk lines. Remember to cut out any notches that appear on the edges. These markings help line up the pieces when you assemble the garment.
Use your marking pen, pencil, or chalk to transfer the markings (such as circles, buttonholes, and fold lines) to the wrong side of the fabric. Mark the center front of pieces cut on the fold, as this will help you align pieces accurately.
Seam Allowance
Please follow the seam allowances as indicated on the pattern file layers. These are provided specifically for each piece to ensure accurate construction.
This pattern uses a 1.1 cm (or 1/2") seam allowance all around, 2.5 cm (or 1") at the hem and waistband side seams, 1.6 cm (or 5/8") at the sides and bottom and 3.8 cm (or 1 1/2") at the top of upper side pocket piece, bottom side pocket piece and back patch pocket piece, and 1 cm (or 3/8") at the top and bottom and 1.1 cm (1/2") at sides of upper side flap.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
1. Attach the Side Seam Pockets
1a. Place the right pocket piece on the right front leg with right sides together. Align the pocket opening marking, pin, and sew along the pocket opening line.
1b. Spread the pieces open and understitch the pocket.
1c. Turn the pocket to the wrong side of the front leg and press. Topstitch along the pocket opening edge.
1d. Fold the pocket in half from the pocket notch with right sides together and pin. Finish the pocket edge using an overlock stitch.
1e. Sew a few stitches to secure the pocket to the front leg from the pocket opening notch to the edge and from the side pocket notch to the edge.
Repeat the same process for the second front leg.
2. Sew the Back Darts
Join the dart legs on the back pieces and pin them together. Secure the dart fold by stitching along the dart leg on the wrong side. Press the dart toward the side seam to reduce bulk in the finished garment.
3. Sew the Side Seams
Place the front and back leg pieces with right sides together and sew the side seams.
4. Prepare the Cargo Pockets
4a. Cut fusible interfacing to match the cargo pocket flap, excluding seam allowances, and another piece for the pocket opening seam allowance at the pocket top edge. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the pocket pieces.
4b. Fold the pocket top edge twice—first approximately 1 cm, then along the pocket top seamline toward the wrong side. Press.
4c. Stitch along the folded edge to finish the pocket top.
4d. Fold and press the pocket seam allowances to the wrong side. Repeat for all remaining pockets.
4e. Mark the cargo pocket placement lines on the pant legs using the provided leg patterns as guides.
4f. Position the prepared pockets on the marked pocket placement lines. Pin in place and topstitch around the sides and bottom edges.
5. Attach the Cargo Pocket Flaps
5a. Fold the pocket flap in half along the fold line with right sides together. Sew both short sides. Clip the corners and turn the flap right side out.
5b. Topstitch along the flap edges, leaving the opening side unstitched.
5c. Place the prepared flap on the pocket flap marking with the flap opening facing the cargo pocket opening. Stitch along the pocket flap line. Trim the excess seam allowance, fold the flap downward over the pocket opening, and press.
5d. Stitch along the folded flap edge approximately 0.5 cm from the edge to conceal the trimmed seam allowance underneath.
Repeat for the cargo pocket on the opposite leg.
6. Complete the Fly Front Construction
Follow the fly marking guides to assemble the fly, fly cover, zipper, and front closure according to the pattern markings and sewing guide illustrations.
7. Attach the Back Patch Pockets
Prepare the back patch pockets, position them on the marked placement lines, and topstitch them securely to the back leg pieces.
8. Sew the Inseams and Crotch Seams
Join the front and back legs according to the sewing guide construction order, sewing the inseams and crotch seams to form the pant structure.
9. Attach the Waistband
Prepare the waistband pieces, apply interfacing if desired, and attach the waistband to the pant waistline following the markings provided in the pattern.
10. Finish the Closure and Waistband
Create the buttonhole and attach the waistband button to complete the fly-front closure.
11. Hem the Pants
Fold and finish the pant hems according to the seam allowance guidelines provided in the pattern.
Ready to Sew Your Own Cargo Pants?
The Raina Cargo Pants combine a classic wide straight-leg silhouette with practical utility details including cargo pockets, side pockets, back patch pockets, and a fly-front closure. Designed for intermediate sewists, this pattern is a rewarding project that teaches valuable garment construction skills while creating a versatile wardrobe staple.
Choose your favorite woven fabric, follow the step-by-step instructions, and enjoy creating a pair of handmade cargo pants that are both stylish and functional. Download the Raina Cargo Pants Pattern and start sewing your next wardrobe essential today.
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Join the Community & Get Support
Share your finished Raina Cargo Pants on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
