Wide leg trousers are a timeless wardrobe essential that combine comfort with an effortlessly polished look. Their relaxed silhouette, flattering high waist, and elegant drape make them suitable for everything from everyday wear to office outfits and special occasions. Sewing your own pair allows you to customize the fit and create a garment that reflects your personal style.
The Winslet's Margot Wide Leg Belted Trousers Sewing Pattern is a great choice for sewists looking to create a sophisticated pair of trousers. Featuring a high-waisted fit, front pleats, side pockets, an elasticized back waistband, and a matching waist belt, this easy-level pattern includes detailed step-by-step instructions to guide you through every stage of construction.
Why Sew Wide Leg Trousers?
- Create elegant high-waisted trousers with a flattering wide leg silhouette.
- Sew practical side pockets for everyday functionality.
- Learn techniques such as sewing box pleats, constructing pockets, and attaching waistbands.
- Enjoy the comfort of an elasticized back waistband while maintaining a tailored front.
- Finish the trousers with a matching fabric belt for a polished look.
Why Choose the Winslet's Margot Wide Leg Belted Trousers Pattern?
The Margot Wide Leg Belted Trousers Sewing Pattern combines classic tailoring details with beginner-friendly construction, making it an enjoyable project for creating stylish everyday trousers.
- Skill Level: Easy
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Design Features:
- High-waisted design
- Wide leg silhouette
- Front box pleats
- Side pockets
- Elasticized back waistband
- Matching fabric belt
- Available Sizes: US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
Gather the following supplies before you begin sewing:
- Lightweight fabric
- 3-ply polyester thread
- Elastic
- Sewing machine
- Tape measure
- Fabric shears
- Tailor's chalk
- Thread cutter
- Pins
- Sewing needles
- Iron
Fabric Recommendations
The sewing guide recommends using lightweight fabrics, including:
- Cotton
- Hemp
- Linen
- Bamboo
The sample garment shown in the sewing guide is made from banana crepe fabric.
According to the sewing guide, banana crepe fabric offers several benefits:
- Sustainable
- Soft and lightweight
- Breathable and durable
- Drapable
- Eco-friendly
- Moisture wicking
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
The Margot Wide Leg Belted Trousers Sewing Pattern includes the following pattern pieces:
- A. Front — Cut 2 Fabric
- B. Back — Cut 2 Fabric
- C. Front Waistband — Cut 1 Fabric
- D. Back Waistband — Cut 1 Fabric
- E. Waistbelt — Cut 2 Fabric
- F. Pocket — Cut 2 Fabric
- G. Front Pocket Facing — Cut 2 Fabric
- H. Side Pocket Upper Facing — Cut 2 Fabric
- I. Belt Loop — Cut 1 Fabric
The guide includes both A4/US Letter files for home printing and A0 files for copy-shop printing.
Pattern Marking
Before cutting your fabric, familiarize yourself with the markings shown on the pattern pieces. These markings help ensure accurate alignment during construction. The pattern includes:
- Grainline
- Waistline
- Hip level line
- Crotch level line
- Center pleat line
- Side pleat line
- Side pocket opening
- Crotch line
- Inseam
- Side seam
- Hem
- Front center notch
- Back center notch
- Pocket center
- Pocket facing marking
- Seam allowance
Cutting Layout
The sewing guide provides cutting layouts for both 45-inch and 60-inch fabric widths.
For accurate cutting:
- Arrange the pattern pieces according to the recommended cutting layout diagrams.
- Position every grainline parallel to the fabric selvage.
- Pin the pattern pieces securely before cutting for improved accuracy.
- The layouts are designed for non-directional fabrics.
- Purchase additional fabric if using fabrics with nap or directional prints.
- The illustrated layouts use the large size as the example.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Prepare your fabric carefully before beginning construction.
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams, ensuring every grainline arrow runs parallel to the fabric selvage.
If you are using fabric shears, trace the pattern pieces before cutting and trim away any pen, pencil, or chalk lines as you cut. Remember to cut out any notches that appear on the pattern edges, as these markings help align the pieces accurately during assembly.
Transfer all required pattern markings, including circles, buttonholes, and fold lines, to the wrong side of the fabric using tailor's chalk or another suitable marking tool. Mark the center front on pieces cut on the fold to help align the garment correctly during construction.
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 1.14 cm (0.5 inch) seam allowance all around and 6.4 cm (2.5 inch) at the hem.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Step 1: Create the Box Pleats
1a. Sew the pleats
Fold the front piece along the center pleat line so the side pleat lines overlap on the right side of the fabric. Pin the pleat in place.
Sew along the side pleat marking, starting at the waistline and ending at the pleat end.
1b. Press the pleats
Open the pleat and press it flat along the center pleat line.
Repeat the same process for the remaining pleats.
1c. Baste the pleats
Use a basting stitch along the waist seam allowance to hold the pleats in place.
Repeat the same process for the second front piece.
Step 2: Attach the Pocket Pieces
2a. Finish the pocket facing
Serge the curved edge of the pocket facing.
2b. Attach the pocket facing
Place the pocket facing on the pocket piece with wrong sides together.
Sew along the seam allowance on the curved side of the pocket.
2c. Position the pocket
Place the wrong side of the front leg piece against the right side of the prepared pocket opening.
2d. Attach the upper pocket facing
Place the side pocket upper facing on top of the front leg piece with right sides together.
Sew along the side pocket opening seamline.
2e. Understitch the upper facing
Turn the side pocket upper facing to the wrong side of the front leg piece and press it.
Understitch along the pocket opening to keep the facing neatly in place.
2f. Understitch the pocket piece
Spread the pocket piece, side pocket upper facing, and front leg piece open.
Understitch along the pocket opening of the pocket piece.
2g. Create the pocket bag
Fold the pocket piece in half with right sides together.
Sew along the bottom curved edge to form the pocket bag.
2h. Press the pocket
Turn the pocket bag right side out and press it with an iron.
2i. Repeat for the second pocket
Repeat the entire pocket construction process for the second front leg piece.
Step 3: Sew the Front and Back Crotch Seams
Place the two front leg pieces with right sides together and align the crotch seam.
Sew along the crotch seamline.
Repeat the same process for the two back leg pieces.
Step 4: Prepare the Front Waistband
Cut a piece of fusible interfacing using the front waistband pattern piece without the seam allowances.
Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the front waistband, then serge the bottom edge of the front waistband.
Step 5: Make the Belt Loops
Fold both long edges of the belt loop strip toward the center.
Fold the strip in half lengthwise again and press all folds with an iron.
Sew along both long edges to secure the strip.
Cut the finished strip into three belt loops, each measuring 7.5 cm in length.
Step 6: Attach the Front Waistband
Place the two front belt loops on the pleats closest to the side seams and pin them in place.
Position the prepared front waistband on the front trouser piece with right sides together, aligning the waistline.
Sew along the waist seamline to attach the front waistband to the prepared front leg pieces.
Step 7: Prepare and Attach the Back Waistband
7a. Prepare the elastic
Cut a 1-inch wide elastic band that is 1–2 inches shorter than the back waistline of the pattern.
Place the elastic on the wrong side of the back waistband.
7b. Secure the elastic
Stretch the elastic and sew it along the side seam of the back waistband to secure it in place.
7c. Attach the back waistband
Place the prepared back waistband on the back leg piece with right sides together, aligning the waistline.
Sew along the waist seamline while keeping the elastic stretched throughout the stitching.
7d. Press the waistband
Fold the seam allowance of the back waistband toward the wrong side and press it with an iron.
7e. Fold the waistband
Fold the back waistband in half along the center.
7f. Finish the waistband
Fold the waistband upward from the waist seamline of the back piece, ensuring the folded seam allowance remains on the wrong side.
Step 8: Join the Front and Back Leg Pieces
8a. Align the pieces
Place the prepared back leg piece on top of the prepared front leg piece with right sides together.
Position the front waistband, which is already attached to the front leg, over the back waistband.
8b. Sew the side seams
Sew along both side seams.
8c. Close the back waistband
Lift the front waistband to reveal the back waistband underneath.
Sew along the open edge of the back waistband, ensuring the waist seam allowances are enclosed inside the waistband for a clean finish.
Step 9: Sew the Inseam
Align the inseams of the front and back leg pieces.
Sew continuously from one bottom hem through the crotch to the opposite bottom hem to complete the inseam.
Step 10: Topstitch the Front Waistband
Turn the trousers right side out.
Sew along the edge of the front waistband to secure it neatly.
Step 11: Attach the Belt Loops
Fold one open end of each front belt loop inward by about 1 cm.
Sew a few backstitches to secure each belt loop. Repeat for the second front belt loop.
For the back belt loop, fold both ends inward by about 1 cm. Position it at the center back waistband and sew a few backstitches at both ends to secure it.
Step 12: Finish the Hem
Fold the hem first by 0.25 inches to enclose the raw edge.
Fold it again along the hemline toward the wrong side and sew close to the folded edge.
For a decorative finish, sew a second row of stitching 0.5 inches away from the first stitch line.
Step 13: Prepare the Waist Belt
13a. Join the belt pieces
Place the two waist belt pieces with right sides together.
13b. Sew the center back seam
Align the back center edges and sew them together.
13c. Press the seam
Open the seam allowance and press it flat.
13d. Sew the belt
Fold the belt in half lengthwise with the wrong side facing out.
Align the raw edges and sew along the bottom edge and one short side.
13e. Turn the belt
Turn the belt right side out through the open short end.
13f. Close the opening
Fold the remaining seam allowance inside the open end of the belt.
13g. Finish the belt
Close the opening using either a blind stitch or by topstitching along the edge of the belt.
Ready to Sew Your Own Wide Leg Trousers?
The Margot Wide Leg Belted Trousers Sewing Pattern is a rewarding project that combines classic tailoring details with everyday comfort. From creating crisp box pleats and practical side pockets to constructing the elasticized waistband and matching belt, this pattern guides you through each step to create a polished pair of wide leg trousers.
Whether you're sewing a smart everyday staple or a versatile piece for work and special occasions, the Margot Wide Leg Belted Trousers are a timeless addition to any handmade wardrobe. Download the pattern today and enjoy sewing your own custom-fit trousers.
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Share your finished Margot Wide Leg Belted Trousers on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
