MOST REQUESTED: FLAT FRONT, ELASTICATED BACK - THE ULTIMATE LIST OF TROUSER SEWING PATTERNS

If I had a quid for every time I saw this particular request from the sewing community, I'd have a tidy little fabric fund to purge. You might have been one of those desperately seeking this elusive feature, and I am here to show you a wealth of options that have that secret sauce. Trousers with a flat front and elasticated back waistband.

If you are in the know (and on the hunt), skip to the patterns, as I do not need to tell you why this garment detail is so desired. The clever combination of a flat front and elasticated back gives trousers the much-desired comfort. And that's not all. It helps alleviate tricky-fitting issues and gaping waistbands, and gives you a flexible fit. Very useful for body fluctuations we all have. Clean in the front, comfy in the back, what's not to love about this darling design detail?

As I have seen so many requests for this feature, I decided to compile a list of trouser sewing patterns with a flat front and elasticated back waistbands, as it wasn't as simple a search. I have found 30 indie sewing patterns across different trouser cuts and sewing abilities using this magic formula, so hopefully you will find something that fits your personal style and everyday life.

WIDE LEG

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Tessuti Fabrics Alba Pants: Wide, cropped legs with a subtly curved silhouette. The comfortable mid-rise waist has a unique faced flat front with an elasticated back.

Style Arc Lodden Woven Pant: Pull-on pant has wide legs and angled pockets. The waistband is flat at the front, elasticated at the sides and back, and sits on the natural waist.

Friday Pattern Company Flâneur Pants: A wide-leg, mid-rise pant that features a zip fly with a flat front and elasticated back. 

Made By Rae Rose Pants: Rose features a high waist, slash pockets, and a pleated or gathered front. The front waist is flat, while the back waist is elasticised for comfort and style. 

Modern Sewing Co. Spring Trousers: designed with a voluminous cut for a breezy and effortless feel. They have wide legs with front pleats and a semi-elasticated back to keep a smart feel while also being very comfortable.

WIDE LEG

L-R:

Style Arc Fifi Woven Pant: This pull-on wide-leg pant features a smooth front yoke, elastic back, and side pockets. The pattern includes 7/8 and full-length options. 

True Bias Emerson Crop Pant and Short: Emerson is a pull-on crop pant or short with an elasticised back and flattering front waistband with two rise options (high and mid).

Sew Liberated Cosecha Pants: These are workwear-inspired pants versatile enough for everyday styling. View B features a wide, cropped leg and an elastic-back option for all-day comfort and flexibility with a dramatic silhouette.

Allie Olson Ponderosa Pants: These roomy bottoms have plenty of ease through the hips and thighs and feature a stretchy back waistband that sits just below the natural waist. A deeply pleated front leg and side snap closure provide the clean look of trousers.

The Patterns Room Magnolia Pants: Sew up two looks: regular wide-leg pants, or wide-leg pants with an extra front skirt layer tied at the left side. The waistband has encased elastic gathered only at the back.

BARREL LEG

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Style Arc Twig Woven Pant: These barrel leg, high-waisted pants or jeans feature a fly front, in-seam pockets, elastic back waistband, front and back leg pintucks, and a cropped length.

Sew Liberated Arthur Pants: More architectural than barrel, the dramatically shaped side seams fall into a tapered hem to give you a fantastic shape. View A has a zipper fly with an elastic back waist.

Tilly and the Buttons Winnie Trousers: With a modern barrel leg shape, high waistline, and no-fuss elasticated waistband with comfy flat front, this is a very wearable option for the barrel leg trend.

Emporia Patterns Roan Trousers: Roan is a barrel leg trouser with a loose and comfy fit for a cool and casual feel. The back waist has a length of elastic inserted into the waistband to make for an easy fit. 

Fibre Mood Naima Pants: Not specifically labelled as barrel-leg trousers, the subtle curve of the leg put them with this gang. The trousers have a shaped waistband with elastic in the back for flexibility, a zip fly closure, and front slash pockets. 

CULOTTES

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Pauline Alice Botanic Trousers: The Botanic Trousers have a high waist, wide legs, and a cropped length. They feature a double-pleated front, in-seam pockets, and a removable belt. The waistband sits at the natural waist and has a flat front and elastic back for comfort – no closure needed.

Merchant & Mills Juno Culottes: A pair of culotte trousers featuring a fly front, front pleats, in-seam pockets, and an elasticated back waistband. 

Atelier Brunette La Jupe Culotte: These 7/8-length culottes have a relaxed fit with an elasticated back waistband. Other features include a high waist, pleats at the front, a button placket on one side, and a pocket on the other.

In The Folds Malvern Culottes: The pattern uses clever pleating to create volume and interest whilst hiding the seams. With two waistband options that sit on the natural waist (elasticated or straight all-in-one), the culottes feature a wrap front, hidden buttons on the waistband, and side seam pockets.

TAPERED

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Sew Over It Carrie Trousers: These trousers are loose-fitting through the leg, slightly tapering towards the ankle. With no need for any tricky closures, they have a flat-front, elastic-back waistband with pretty pleats at the front.

Pattern Scout Nellie Joggers and Shorts: These high-rise utility-style joggers or shorts feature a fly front closure, patch pockets, and an athleisure-inspired 'racing stripe' along the side leg. With flat front and back elastic facing waistbands, these pants offer a sophisticated spin on a classic, comfy style.

True Bias Dani Pant and Short: Dani is an elastic waist short or pant with in-seam and rear pockets, a small paperbag high waist, and a cuff. Views A and B have a zip fly and two buttons at the waist, and a partially elasticated waist.

Sew Over It Peggy Trousers: With a zip fly at the front, they are elasticated around the side and back waist for comfort, easy fitting, and to create the paper bag effect. The front features dramatic pleats, though otherwise they sit flat across the tummy.

French Navy Cayler Pants: The pattern, which comes with both flat and pleated front options, is designed to sit just a centimetre or two below the natural waist with a slightly dropped crotch and a semi-elasticated waistband. Both views feature a side seam that is advanced to the front of the pants and gently twists toward the centre front hem of the tapered leg.

STRAIGHT

L-R:

Atelier Scämmit Etincelle Trousers: These pleated trousers have a fully or partially elasticated waistband. The straight leg can be finished with a simple hem or a topstitched cuff. Etincelle can be worn low-waisted or mid-rise.

BF Patterns Taylor Pants: High-waisted, straight-legged, and tailored to perfection, Taylor has two views to sew. No matter the view, the Taylors are fit to avoid waist-gaping thanks to invisible elastic secured in the back waistband.

Style Arc Clare Pants: Not quite straight, but not wide either, the relaxed fit features a fashionable 7/8-length wide leg, angled pockets and a tie belt.

2-IN-1

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Closet Core Patterns Pietra Pants and Shorts: You get two lovely leg fits (plus a shorts option) with this pattern. Choose from a wide or tapered leg; both feature a flat front, high-waisted silhouette with the comfort of an elastic waist in the back.

Pauline Alice Morella Pants and Skirt: With Morella, you can sew a pair of tapered leg trousers or a useful midi skirt. Both feature a partially elasticated waistband and deep curved pockets.

Named Aina Trousers and Culottes: The Aina pattern includes two variations: classic trousers with a slightly tapered ankle-length leg, and trendy culottes. The front waist is finished with a classic and clean waistband with a decorative button closure at the sides. The back waist has a relaxed elastic detail, making the trousers more comfortable and easier to fit. 

Hopefully, that epic list has given you a shortlist of trousers to tackle. That touch of elastic is sure to make them not only stand the test of time with body fluctuations, but they will also be your favoured, most comfortable pair of handmade trousers you own!