Joggers are one of the most practical garments you can sew, offering everyday comfort with a polished, sporty look. Whether you're relaxing at home, heading to the gym, or running errands, a well-made pair of joggers provides the perfect combination of flexibility, warmth, and durability. Sewing your own joggers also gives you control over the fit, fabric, and finishing details for a garment you'll reach for time and time again.
The Winslet's Louis Joggers Sewing Pattern is designed to help sewists create comfortable men's joggers with professional-looking finishes. Featuring a comfort fit, side pockets, a back patch pocket, an elastic waistband, and elastic ankle cuffs, this easy-level pattern includes detailed step-by-step instructions that make the construction process approachable for both beginners and confident sewists.
Why Sew Joggers?
- Create a comfortable everyday wardrobe staple that's perfect for lounging, travel, workouts, and casual wear.
- Sew a relaxed comfort-fit silhouette that offers ease of movement.
- Add practical details including side pockets and a functional back patch pocket.
- Customize your joggers by choosing your preferred knit fabric and waistband fit.
- Learn useful knit sewing techniques including pocket construction, elastic waistband application, and elastic ankle cuffs.
- Make a durable pair of joggers that can be worn throughout the cooler seasons.
Why Choose the Winslet's Louis Joggers Sewing Pattern?
- Skill Level: Easy
- Design Features: Comfort-fit joggers featuring side pockets, a back patch pocket, an elastic waistband, and elastic ankle cuffs.
- Available Sizes: US 34 - US 54 | UK 34 - UK 54 | EU 44 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
You'll need the following supplies to sew the Louis Joggers:
- Main fabric
- 3-ply polyester thread
- Elastic band (length equal to the final waist measurement shown in the size chart; width typically 2.5–3 inches)
- Sewing machine
- Serger (optional)
- Sewing needles
- Fabric shears
- Thread cutter
- Pins
- Chalk or fabric marking tool
- Measuring tape
- Iron
If you don't have a serger, use a zig-zag stitch with the presser foot setting lower than 1 and, if available, a walking foot.
Always sew a fabric sample before beginning your final garment to test stitch settings and fabric behavior.
Fabric Recommendations
The Louis Joggers are designed for light- to medium-weight knitted fabrics such as:
Recommended fabrics include:
- Fleece
- Jersey
- Terry
- Wool knits
The sample garment shown in the sewing guide is made from fleece, which is recommended because it is:
- Soft, warm, and plush
- More stable than jersey
- Lightweight with excellent thermal insulation for winter wear
- Easy to sew since it does not fray easily
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
Prepare the following pattern pieces before cutting your fabric:
- A. Front — cut 2 fabric
- B. Back — cut 2 fabric
- C. Side Panel — cut 2 fabric
- D. Pocket — cut 2 fabric
- E. Back Pocket — cut 1 fabric
- i. Back Pocket Ready Pattern — cut 1 (used only for sizing and marking the back pocket placement; do not cut as a fabric piece)
Pattern Marking
Before cutting, familiarize yourself with the markings included on the pattern pieces. These markings help ensure accurate construction and alignment throughout the sewing process.
The pattern includes markings for:
- Waistline
- Waistband
- Hip line
- Thigh line
- Knee line
- Crotch
- Inseam
- Side seam
- Mid-panel
- Hemline
- Grainline
- Seam allowance
- Pocket notches
- Pocket center notches
Be sure to transfer all required markings carefully to your fabric before sewing.
Cutting Layout
Arrange your pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams provided in the sewing guide for either 45-inch or 60-inch fabric widths.
For the most accurate results:
- Align every grainline arrow parallel to the fabric selvage.
- Pin the pattern pieces securely before cutting.
- The layouts are intended for non-directional fabrics.
- If your fabric has a nap or directional print, purchase additional fabric to accommodate the layout.
- The illustrated layouts use US Size 40 as an example.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Before cutting your fabric, arrange all pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams, ensuring each grainline arrow runs parallel to the selvage.
When cutting:
- Trace the pattern pieces if using fabric shears.
- Cut away any chalk, pencil, or pen lines.
- Carefully cut all notches along the pattern edges, as these help align pieces accurately during assembly.
Transfer all pattern markings—including circles, fold lines, and other construction marks—to the wrong side of the fabric. Mark the center front on pieces cut on the fold to make assembly easier.
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 cm (3/8") seam allowance all around, 3.8 cm (1 1/4") at the hem, 4 cm (1 5/8") at the waist, and 5 cm (2") at the pocket edge.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
1. Attach the Side Pockets
1a. Place the Pocket (Pattern D) onto the Front (Pattern A) with right sides together. Sew between the two pocket notches.
1b. Press the seam open along the pocket opening to create a clean finish.
1c. Turn the pocket piece toward the wrong side of the front piece and sew along the pocket opening to secure the two pieces in place.
1d. Fold the pocket piece in half. Align the pocket notches together on the wrong side of the front leg piece.
1e. Overlock the unfolded pocket edges, leaving the section between the two pocket notches unstitched.
Repeat the same process for the other front piece and pocket.
2. Attach the Back Pocket
2a. Fold the pocket top edge by 1 cm toward the wrong side.
2b. Fold the seam allowance on the bottom and side edges of the pocket toward the wrong side and press with an iron.
2c. Fold the top edge again along the pocket seamline toward the wrong side, enclosing the raw edge. Sew along the folded top edge to finish the pocket opening.
2d. Position the prepared back pocket on the transferred pocket marking on the left back piece.
2e. Sew around the side and bottom edges of the pocket, leaving the top edge open. Use a 0.3 cm seam allowance to secure the pocket in place.
3. Attach the Side Panels
3a. Place the Side Panel (Pattern C) onto the Front (Pattern A) with right sides together. Align the mid-panel seamline.
3b. Overlock the seamline.
3c. Spread open the seam and press.
Repeat the same process for the remaining front and side panel pieces.
4. Sew the Front and Back Crotch Seams
Match both back pieces with right sides together and sew along the crotch seam. Overlock the crotch seam to finish.
Repeat the same process for the front pieces.
5. Sew the Side Seams
Place the prepared back over the prepared front with right sides facing together.
Sew both side seams to join the front and back pieces.
6. Sew the Inseam
Match the crotch seams with right sides together.
Sew continuously from one hem, through the crotch, and down to the opposite hem using an overlock stitch to complete the inseam.
7. Attach the Waistband
7a. Cut an elastic band according to your waist measurement, reducing the length by 2–4 inches, depending on your desired fit.
7b. Join the elastic ends together using one of the following methods:
- Sew a small muslin strip over the joined ends with a zig-zag stitch to conceal the join.
- Or overlap the elastic ends by 1 cm and secure them together using a zig-zag stitch.
7c. Position the elastic along the waistband edge on the wrong side of the joggers. Divide both the waistband and elastic into four equal sections (center front, center back, and side seams), then pin evenly. Overlock the elastic to the waistband, stretching the elastic evenly as you sew.
7d. Fold the waistband at the center fold line toward the wrong side.
7e. Sew along the waistband seamline with a lock stitch to close the waistband.
8. Create the Elastic Ankle Cuffs
8a. Cut an elastic band according to your ankle measurement, reducing the length by 2/3 to 3/4 inch, depending on how snug you would like the ankle cuff to fit. Overlap the elastic ends and secure them together using a zig-zag stitch.
8b. Position the elastic along the hemline seam allowance edge and pin it evenly to prevent shifting.
8c. Overlock the hemline edge together with the elastic, following the same method used when attaching the waistband elastic in Step 7c.
8d. Fold the hemline toward the wrong side, enclosing the elastic inside the cuff.
8e. Sew all around the folded hem using a lock stitch to complete the elastic ankle cuff.
Repeat the same process for the other leg. Remember to stretch the elastic evenly while sewing so the fabric remains smooth without puckering.
Ready to Sew Your Own Joggers?
A comfortable pair of joggers is an essential addition to any handmade wardrobe. With the Winslet's Louis Joggers Sewing Pattern, you'll learn practical techniques such as sewing side and back pockets, constructing an elastic waistband, and creating comfortable elastic ankle cuffs for a professional finish.
Whether you're sewing them for relaxing at home, workouts, travel, or everyday casual wear, this easy sewing pattern provides clear step-by-step guidance to help you achieve polished results. Download the pattern today and enjoy creating your own pair of comfortable handmade joggers.
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Browse our Men's Pants Sewing Pattern Collection for more comfortable handmade trousers, joggers, shorts, and everyday wardrobe essentials.
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Share your finished Louis Joggers on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
