
Accentuating your waist is nothing new in fashion, but this technique is getting a new twist as comfy clothing trends continue to rise. We’re seeing drawstring details pop up everywhere: pants, tops, jackets – even sleeves. This easy and relaxed trend is simple to add to waistbands, as we did with our new Watsonia Pants free sewing pattern. This paperbag waist pant would be perfect for your transitional wardrobe in a linen, corduroy, or twill!


Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 3 yards Cameo Brown and White Pinstripe Linen Woven
- 1 Italian Natural Drawstring – 56″
- 1 7″-9″ Metal Zipper
- 4 Brown Plastic 4-Hole Button – 36L/23mm
- MDF210 – The Watsonia Pants Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.

First, create each of your pocket flaps: sew two pieces face to face while leaving the long straight edge open. Clip your seam allowances, turn each flap right side out, and press. Align the raw edge of the flap with the pocket edge on your front pant panel, like you see below, and pin into place.
Place your pocket face down over the flap and front pants, lining up the pocket edge. Clip the seam allowance at the corner and then turn your pocket toward the wrong side of your pants and press.
Fold the pocket in half, face to face and sew along the bottom edge. This creates the pocket bag as well as the remainder of the front of your pants.
Begin sewing the fly of your pants. For tips on this, check out our Aster Pants! Once the fly is complete, sew the remainder of your front rise. Attach your two back pant panels at the back rise and pin the front and back of your pants together. Sew up the sides and inseam to see your pants starting to form!

Following the guide on your pattern, pleat each of your front panels and topstitch from the top edge down to be in line with the top of your pocket. Toward the fly side of each pleat, place a small buttonhole for your drawstring.

Create your waistband facing, attaching the two pieces at the center back seam. Press the seam open and pin face to face along the top edge of your pants. Sew along the top edge, fold the facing toward the inside of your pants and press.


Tuck the raw edges of the waistband in and edgestitch along the bottom, securing it in place. Create the drawstring casing by stitching about 3/4″ above the lower stitching. Feed your drawstring through the casing.
On the upper part of the pant fly, tuck the facing in at a diagonal like you see above and stitch. This allows you to zip your pants all the way up and tuck in the zipper.

Since the pocket flaps are just for show, your button and simply be sewn into each without any buttonholes.
Lastly, hem your pants to your desired length and they’re ready to wear!
24 comments
Great Idea for Home Office Outfits.
Lo quiero intentar ya. Es hermoso
I’ve been looking for these! thank you
Nice idea !!! Thanks for sharing.
Lovely fabric choice!!! I would love this in a skirt! Thanks for sharing … FIESTA 🙂
there is no pattern in download
Hi Karol, sorry about that! Try the download above now. 🙂
I got it thanks!
Hello, I was just wondering if I had to add a seam allowance or if a 1/2 inch is already included in the pattern piece? thank you so much 🙂
1/2″ seam allowance is already included! 🙂
Hi Courtney, just want to say I love this style pants. How can I get a shop copy size of this pattern. I want to have plotted. Please advise.
Hi Connie! Unfortunately our free patterns are only available in US Letter PDFs.
Hi Courtney, I don’t understand the back pants piece with the multiple lines at the top. (3). Can you explain that? I’m not sure where to cut.
Hi Anecia, the top line is the cutting lining. The two lines below that are the guide for your drawstring casing. 🙂
Out of the two, the primrose pant and these, which do you think is simpler? (becuase they look alot alike but have a few major differences)
Hi Esther! They are very similar, but I’d say the Primrose are a bit easier since they don’t have the drawstring and you can do a faux fly on them. 🙂
I love this,it will be my next project.
Hi Courtney, I’m having a hard time attaching my two back pants pieces because they are not lining up with the two front pieces. it looks like the two back pieces are bigger than the fronts and I cut them exactly how they suppose to be cut.
Hi Kyndall! I’m sorry you’re having trouble – which parts aren’t lining up exactly?
Is there no pattern download for these pants?
Hi, Rasheedah! The free pattern is available above where it says ‘Click here to download The Watsonia Pants!’ 🙂
Kalıbı indiremiyorum yardımcı olurmusunuz
Hi! Email [email protected] to get the pattern 🙂
This is soo chic! How are the black and white sketches/pictures made? I’d like to try making my own.