Measurements you need
Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually ¾–1⅝ in above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually 2–4 cm above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.
Usually 22⅞–43¼ in.Usually 58–110 cm.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.
Usually 33⅛–51⅛ in.Usually 84–130 cm.At the side, from the waistline down to the level where you measured the hip. It helps to tie a ribbon at the waist and measure from it.At the side, from the waistline down to the level where you measured the hip. It helps to tie a ribbon at the waist and measure from it.
Usually 7⅛–8⅝ in.Usually 18–22 cm.Sit on a hard chair. At the side, straight down from the waistline to the seat. This measurement determines whether the pants will pull or hang loose at the crotch.Sit on a hard chair. At the side, straight down from the waistline to the seat. This measurement determines whether the pants will pull or hang loose at the crotch.
Usually 9½–11¾ in.Usually 24–30 cm.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 23⅝ in, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 60 cm, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.
Skirt 15¾–39⅜ in, pants 35⅜–43¼ in, shorts 11¾–21⅝ in.Skirt 40–100 cm, pants 90–110 cm, shorts 30–55 cm.Feet slightly apart. Tape horizontally around the widest part of one leg, just below the gluteal fold. You can leave 0 — we'll estimate from the hip.Feet slightly apart. Tape horizontally around the widest part of one leg, just below the gluteal fold. You can leave 0 — we'll estimate from the hip.
Usually 19⅝–27½ in.Usually 50–70 cm.How the kids' pants and shorts are drafted
Choose a height — the pattern maker plugs in the standard body measurements tables for a child of that height: waist and hip, hip depth and crotch depth (rise) — from the waist down to the under-buttock fold. The draft is the same as our elastic-waist pants and shorts: the top is no narrower than the hips so it pulls on over them, there's a casing for elastic at the waist, and no darts or fastenings. Kids' hip ease is larger — a child needs freedom to move.
We checked the draft against proven commercial patterns of the same style: the main dimensions match.
The pattern maker checks the draft itself: hip circumference, matching side seams and inseams, side length, hem width and casing. The results are in the “Draft check” section.
How to print and tape
Download the PDF on Letter or A4 sheets and print at 100%, without “fit to page”. The first sheet has the test square: measure it with a ruler. Sheets are taped together with an overlap along the strips ⅜ in1 cm; sheet numbers and the assembly guide are on the first page. For a copy shop or plotter, choose “One-sheet PDF”.
What you get
Full-size front and back shorts pieces, the elastic casing, grainline, seam allowances and hem allowance. Below the draft: elastic length, leg width and center seam.
FAQ
What length should I choose?
Length is measured along the side from the waist. The default is mid-thigh, about 0.22 of height plus 2⅜ in6 cm (12⅝ in32 cm for height 116). For knee-length bermudas, add 3⅛–3⅞ in8–10 cm.
Why is the leg so wide?
The leg opening is hip circumference plus 2⅜ in6 cm: that way the shorts don't dig into the leg when a child runs and squats. The pattern maker won't draft narrower than hip plus 1⅝ in4 cm.
What if the child is between heights?
Choose the next height up and adjust the circumferences if you know them. You can shorten the length by ⅜–¾ in1–2 cm.