Arthur is an intentionally oversized barrel leg pant with a dropped crotch and a sculptural silhouette. The generous ease brings a playful volume to this design that was made in collaboration with Debra Weiss of Specks and Keepings.
Choose between a classic fly front with an elastic back waistband or a fully elastic pull-on version. Our detailed instructions and video tutorial walk you through durable construction techniques.
We have designed three distinct barrel leg pants, each with its own silhouette and style. Compare them below to discover which one is best for you!
Explore the Chanterelle or Madrone.
Seen on our models
- Ashley is 5’10”, wearing a size 28 (true to size) in burnt orange cotton canvas.
- Meg is 5’3″, wearing a size 6 (true to size) in 100% black mid-weight cotton.
- Judith is 5’6″ wearing a size 10 (true to size) in olive khaki 6.2oz cotton canvas.
- Jaq is wearing true to size in unknown fabric but essex linen is similar.
- Meredith is 5’4″, wearing a size 4, (true to size) in green Brussels washed linen.
- Alice is 5’7″, wearing a size 2 waist and size 6 hip, (true to size) in printed cotton denim.
- Em is 5’1″, wearing a size 4, (true to size) in cream heavyweight linen.
- Christina is 5’9″, wearing a size 14 (sized down 1 size) in a cream mid-weight fine wale corduroy.
The Arthur Pants sewing pattern includes pattern piece PDFs for printing at home or a print shop, in sizes 0-30. The print-at-home files can be printed on letter- or A4-size paper. The print-shop files are layered and can be printed on A0-size paper, easily available at most print shops.
The Arthur Pants pattern also includes projector files for those who have a sewing projector setup. (What is a PDF pattern?)
Need inspiration?
See how so many others are sewing up their Arthur Pants. Join in and add your own photos using the hashtag #ArthurPants
FAQ
What’s design ease?
Design ease refers to how much ease beyond the minimum wearing ease is included in a patterns. The Arthur Pants include a significant amount of positive design ease, meaning the finished measurements will be quite a bit bigger than your body measurements, especially in the hips and the crotch curve. This is intentional for the drama of the barrel leg silhouette of Arthur.
I’ve heard Arthur runs big, should I size down?
Arthur doesn’t run large, it was intentionally created with generous design ease for its signature silhouette. Some sewists decide to to size down for a less dramatic look, but doing so changes more than just the width. So the short answer is no. The reason you can size it down is because the dropped crotch gives you more room to change the proportions than a traditional pant would. However!
We do not recommend sizing down more than 1 size. When you size down, you’re not just removing width, you are changing rise, proportions, silhouette and the barrel shape. It can have unintended consequences, for the fit in the waist, the crotch curve, the length.
Instead of sizing down, if you don’t want the dropped crotch, you can adjust the curve and the rise. Be careful not to take it up too much! Keep in mind the minimum amount of wearing ease, as well as your personal preference. You can read more on our blog here.
What is dropped crotch?
I am so glad you asked! A dropped crotch is exactly what it sounds like. It is a crotch curve designed with more ease than normal, which falls lower, to emphasize the oversized silhouette in the Arthur Pants. It makes the pants roomy and comfortable and is a part of the fun, architectural nature of this design. If you want less of a drop in the crotch, rather than sizing down everywhere, you can grade this curve down, or make an adjustment, taking out 1 or more inches of length from this curve.
The Arthur Pants are designed for mid-weight woven fabrics, such as linen, gabardine, silk noil, lightweight twill, or cotton chambray. If you make the Elastic Waist version, you can also choose knit fabrics, such as French terry, interlock, or midweight jersey. Do not choose fabrics that have significant drape. You want enough body to support the shape of the pant leg.
Fabric
After your order your pdf pattern find fabric and notions in one neat bundle from EWE Fine Fiber Goods
45″ wide
54″ wide
Notions
Zipper (equal or longer length)
- Sizes 0-6: 5.5″/14cm
- Sizes 8-14: 6″/15.25cm
- Sizes 16-20: 6.5″/16.5cm
- Sizes 22-28: 7″/17.75cm
- Sizes 30: 7.5″/19cm
- One 3/4″ to 1″ button
- .2y/19-25mm lightweight fusible interfacing
- Wonder Tape (optional)
- 1.5″ wide elastic (see pattern for cut lengths per size)
Seen on our models
Ashley is 5’10”, wearing a size 28 (true to size) in burnt orange cotton canvas.
Meg is 5’3″, wearing a size 6 (true to size) in 100% black mid-weight cotton.
Judith is 5’6″ wearing a size 10 (true to size) in olive khaki 6.2oz cotton canvas.
Jaq is wearing true to size in unknown fabric but essex linen is similar.
Meredith is 5’4″, wearing a size 4, (true to size) in green Brussels washed linen.
Alice is 5’7″, wearing a size 2 waist and size 6 hip, (true to size) in printed cotton denim.
Em is 5’1″, wearing a size 4, (true to size) in cream heavyweight linen.
Christina is 5’9″, wearing a size 14 (sized down 1 size) in a cream mid-weight fine wale corduroy.
Follow our Arthur Pants video sew along below.
And learn how to lengthen the pockets with this tutorial.
After you order your pdf pattern get everything you need to make the Arthur Pants in a bundle from EWE Fine Fiber Goods
Check out our Easy as Pie Zipper Fly tutorial!
