Classic chino pants for boys, smart enough for school and family occasions and comfortable for every day. They have straight, slightly tapered legs, slant front pockets, two rounded back patch pockets, six belt loops and a real fly zip with a button and a trouser hook. The waistband is flat at the front and elasticated at the sides and back, so the pants fit well and grow with the child.
Download the free PDF sewing pattern in A4 and US Letter, in 11 boys’ sizes from 2 to 16 (both size groups in one download), and sew your own boys’ chino pants!
Materials
- Main fabric: 0.7–1.3 m (3/4–1 1/2 yd) of 150 cm (60″) wide fabric, or 0.7–2.4 m (3/4–2 5/8 yd) of 115 cm (45″) wide fabric, depending on the size (table below). Choose a medium-weight woven with some body: cotton twill, chino, stretch cotton twill, linen or cotton-linen, light denim, babycord or needlecord
- Pocket lining: 0.3 m (3/8 yd) of cotton, or the main fabric if it is not too thick
- Lightweight fusible interfacing: 0.3 m (3/8 yd), 90 cm (36″) wide, for the fly, the waistband ends and the pocket openings
- 1 trouser zipper, 10 cm (4″) for sizes 2–6 or 15 cm (6″) for sizes 7–16, 1 button 10 mm (3/8″) and 1 trouser hook
- Flat woven elastic for the waistband: 2.5 cm (1″) wide for sizes 2–5, 3 cm (1 1/8″) for sizes 6–14, 4 cm (1 1/2″) for size 16 (lengths in the table below)
- Matching all-purpose thread, topstitching thread (optional), chalk or a washable pen and a zipper foot
No knits and no very thin fabrics. Pre-wash cotton twill the way you will wash the pants, since it can shrink 3–5%. For corduroy or a one-way print, add 10–15% and cut all pieces in the same direction. For a thick fabric such as heavy twill or cord, choose one size up.
Pattern pieces
- Back, main fabric: cut 2 (mirror pair)
- Right Front (with fly extension), main fabric: cut 1
- Left Front, main fabric: cut 1
- Waistband, main fabric: cut 1, plus 2 interfacing pieces for the front ends
- Pocket Facing, main fabric: cut 2 (mirror pair)
- Small Pocket Bag, lining: cut 2 (mirror pair)
- Large Pocket Bag right and left, lining: cut 1 each
- Fly Shield, main fabric: cut 1
- Fly Facing, main fabric + interfacing: cut 1 + 1
- Belt loop strip, main fabric: cut 1, then cut into 6 loops
- Back Pocket, main fabric: cut 2
The Right Front and Left Front are different pieces, so cut them on a single layer, right side up. Two small parts have no pattern piece: two 2 cm (3/4″) strips of interfacing for the slant pocket openings, and the fly extension of the Right Front, traced onto interfacing. Transfer the fly stitching line, the back pocket position, the belt loop positions and the elastic marks on the waistband.
Download the free PDF sewing pattern
One file per size, in the paper format that suits you. Share your finished pants with #cozysewpatterns!
A0 + Step-by-step guideGet it here ↓Unzip the folder first. Print page 1 at 100% (actual size) and measure the 10 cm (4″) calibration square before printing the rest. Trim the margins and tape the pages together, matching the markers. The A0 file comes with the illustrated guide below.
Sizing guide
Boys’ sizes 2–6 and 7–16, for heights from 91 to 177 cm (36–69 1/2″). Choose the size by waist and hip measurements, then check the length against the inseam below. Between two sizes, choose the larger one: the elastic gathers the waist in, and the pants grow with the child. For heavy twill or corduroy, go one size up.
Both size groups are sewn the same way, with the same pieces and steps. Only the zipper length (10 or 15 cm) and the elastic width change. To change the length, add or remove the same amount on the Front and Back between the knee notches and the hem.
Body measurements (cm)
| cm | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 91.4 | 99.1 | 106.7 | 114.3 | 120.7 | 127 | 132.1 | 144.8 | 156.2 | 166.7 | 176.5 |
| Chest | 53.3 | 54.6 | 56.5 | 58.4 | 60.3 | 62.9 | 68.6 | 73.7 | 80 | 85.1 | 90.2 |
| Waist | 48.9 | 50.5 | 52.1 | 54 | 55.9 | 58.4 | 63.5 | 67.9 | 72.4 | 76.2 | 80 |
| Hips | 52.7 | 54.6 | 57.5 | 60.3 | 63.2 | 66.7 | 73 | 78.1 | 82.6 | 88.3 | 94 |
Body measurements (inches)
| in | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 36 | 39 | 42 | 45 | 47 1/2 | 50 | 52 | 57 | 61 1/2 | 65 5/8 | 69 1/2 |
| Chest | 21 | 21 1/2 | 22 1/4 | 23 | 23 3/4 | 24 3/4 | 27 | 29 | 31 1/2 | 33 1/2 | 35 1/2 |
| Waist | 19 1/4 | 19 7/8 | 20 1/2 | 21 1/4 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 26 3/4 | 28 1/2 | 30 | 31 1/2 |
| Hips | 20 3/4 | 21 1/2 | 22 5/8 | 23 3/4 | 24 7/8 | 26 1/4 | 28 3/4 | 30 3/4 | 32 1/2 | 34 3/4 | 37 |
Finished garment measurements (cm)
| cm | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waist | 49.9 | 51.5 | 53.1 | 55 | 56.9 | 59.4 | 64.5 | 68.9 | 73.4 | 77.2 | 81 |
| Hips | 56.4 | 58.4 | 61.5 | 64.5 | 67.6 | 71.4 | 78.1 | 83.6 | 88.4 | 94.5 | 100.6 |
| Inseam | 34.7 | 38.9 | 42.9 | 46.7 | 49.8 | 54.9 | 58 | 63.8 | 70 | 73.2 | 75.8 |
| Outseam | 47 | 52 | 56.5 | 61 | 64.5 | 70.5 | 75 | 82.5 | 90 | 95 | 98.5 |
| Leg width | 24.3 | 26 | 27.5 | 29.4 | 31.1 | 32.9 | 36.2 | 38.8 | 42.5 | 44.7 | 45.7 |
Fabric, elastic and zipper per size
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm wide (m) | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| 60″ wide (yd) | 3/4 | 3/4 | 7/8 | 7/8 | 1 | 1 | 1 1/8 | 1 1/4 | 1 1/4 | 1 3/8 | 1 1/2 |
| 115 cm wide (m) | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1 | 1.6 | 2 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 2.4 |
| 45″ wide (yd) | 3/4 | 7/8 | 7/8 | 7/8 | 1 | 1 1/8 | 1 3/4 | 2 1/8 | 2 3/8 | 2 1/2 | 2 5/8 |
| Elastic width (cm) | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Elastic cut length (cm) | 25.6 | 26.4 | 27.4 | 28.5 | 29.7 | 31.1 | 33.6 | 35.7 | 37.8 | 39.8 | 42.2 |
| Zipper (cm) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Sewing notes
Fit and style
A classic chino with a regular rise and straight, slightly tapered legs. The half-elastic waistband keeps the flat, smart front of a real trouser while the elastic at the sides and back adjusts the fit, so there is no need for a belt. Try the pants on before hemming: that is the moment to adjust the length.
Fabrics
Cotton twill or chino gives the classic school-trouser look, like in the photo; stretch twill is extra comfortable for active kids. Light denim makes everyday jeans-style pants, linen a cool summer pair, and needlecord a warm winter one. Choose soft but hard-wearing fabrics that stand up to play.
Cutting out
Fold the fabric right sides together, selvages matching, for the Backs, Pocket Facings, Small Pocket Bags and Back Pockets. Cut the Right and Left Front on a single layer. Snip the notches 3 mm (1/8″) deep and test a buttonhole on a scrap with interfacing before you start.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Seam allowances are 1 cm (3/8″) unless noted. Sew with right sides together, finish the raw edges and press every seam as you go.
- Sew the slant front pockets.
- Sew the fly zip, the trickiest step: read it all first and baste where it says.
- Make and attach the back patch pockets.
- Sew the inseams.
- Sew the crotch seam and reinforce the curve.
- Sew the side seams.
- Make the belt loops and attach the half-elastic waistband, then add the buttonhole, button and hook.
- Hem the legs with a double-fold hem.
- Finish with a final press, without flattening the elastic.
Stuck on a step? Sew it with pictures.
The steps above are a quick overview. The full illustrated guide walks you through every step with clear drawings: the slant pockets with their pocket bags, the fly zip (the trickiest step, in 11 pictures), the rounded back pockets, the belt loops and the half-elastic waistband. It also includes the A0 pattern file.
- Illustrated diagrams for every step
- Before-you-begin checklist
- Elastic and zipper table for every size
- Video guides with QR codes for the key techniques
- A0 pattern file included
- Printable PDF, instant download
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Questions
Is the pattern really free?
Yes. The A4 and US Letter pattern files are free. The illustrated step-by-step guide and the A0 file are available for a small coffee.
Is it suitable for beginners?
It is an intermediate pattern. If you have sewn a few garments and are ready for your first fly zip, the steps take you through it slowly. For a first project, an elastic-waist pair is easier, and you can come back to these chinos next.
Which size should I sew?
Measure the child’s waist and hips and choose the size from the chart, then compare the finished inseam with the child’s leg. Between two sizes, take the larger one: the elastic takes up the extra at the waist.
What else can I sew for kids?
For a sister or friend, our Girls Pinafore Dress #CS1012 is free too. Grown-ups who like a relaxed trouser can try our women’s Barrel Leg Pants #CS1006.
Happy sewing!
