to think I should be able to find a boy's trouser pattern, somewhere!

[WomanScorned]

Just that really.

I want to make DS' school trousers/shorts, but can't find a paper pattern anywhere.

He could choose from thousands of skirts, party frocks, pirate outfits, or even any number of 1970s bell bottoms. Or even a de-mob suit. But I just want smart, flat fronted trousers.

Is it really too much to ask?

not sure if you looking for free, but Burda has ones you can buy and download
for example

Thanx. I'm looking to buy a paper one. I forgot to mention, he's 4 and wears age 3-4 jeans. The only Burda ones I've found are too big.

I've made casual trousers for him by drawing around ones he already has, but I want to do these "properly' (have never used a commercial pattern, only online tutorials).

Not sure if you've seen Ottobre. They are similar to burda but do a lot of children's patterns. However i do agree that the choices for boys patterns are pretty crap.

www.ottobredesign.com

There's loads out there? Where are you looking? Ebay has some nice vintage ones, and you can get more recent ones too.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Burda-9641-Sewing-Pattern-Boys-Childs-Cargo-Pants-Trousers-Shorts-Pocket-6-14yrs-/310853485072?pt=UK_Crafts_SewingPatterns_EH&hash=item48604fc210#ht_1323wt_952
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Style-Retro-Sewing-Pattern-Boys-Trousers-or-Shorts-Tie-Size-5-yrs-4269-1973-/321377738121?pt=UK_Crafts_SewingPatterns_EH&hash=item4ad39b1d89#ht_377wt_952
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Style-1963-Vintage-Pattern-1960s-Boys-Childs-Lined-Jacket-School-Shorts-Trousers-/331194102625?pt=UK_Crafts_SewingPatterns_EH&hash=item4d1cb4f361#ht_412wt_1190
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Burda-9990-Sewing-Pattern-Boys-Smart-Summer-Waistcoat-Trousers-Shorts-2-8-Yrs-/310909179527?pt=UK_Crafts_SewingPatterns_EH&hash=item4863a19687#ht_1323wt_952

Sorry I can't do the clever links. These are just in the craft/sewing/pattern section of ebay, search for boys shorts.

Try Jaycotts.
www.jaycotts.co.uk/pages/patterns

But I looked on ebay and only found high waisted flares!
I googled 'smart trousers' ' formal trousers/pants' 'school trousers' - I'm obviously a bit shit at searching!

Ottobre, or there's a couple of good Oliver + S ones, or there's quite a good book called Sewing for Boys.

Gah, I give up! Found some vintage ones I liked; all were either too big, incomplete or in Australia. Others either have pleats or no fly or are too flared.

If anyone has a tried and tested paper pattern for small boy's flat fronted, smart trousers, please tell me!

Meanwhile, I'll try my usual nothing/winging it method :/

nothing - should say bodging

www.rustyzipper.com/shop.cfm?viewpartnum=104279

I'm after something like this, but to fit my 4 year old.

Thanks for looking :)

You can easily take in patterns if you need to. Measure the child, measure the pattern, then decide how much the pattern needs taking in by ie if it's 10cm, then do a zig-zag fold of 2 1/2 cm on the front and the same at the back. Re-measure. Your pattern should be 10cm smaller.

Alternatively make sure the waist and hips are the correct size (plus a bit extra for comfort). Forget about the age, just go on the measurements, then lengthen the legs by making a crease half way across the pattern, cut into 2 pieces, draw 2 parallel lines on a piece of paper which are the same distance apart as the extra length. Match up the pattern to each line, and stick down with tape. Take a long ruler and redraw the seams so that the hem remains the same measurement.

As long as you do front and back alterations to match, then the pattern markings should still match.

Tbh, if I were you I would make it in really cheap fabric to check the fit (toile) before making them in the correct fabric. You could use an old sheet or something. Just do 2 fronts and 2 backs as normal, sew up all the seams, leaving one of the seams unstitched about 15 cm from the top so your ds can get into them. Use a safety pin to pin the last seam together. Check for fit, then alter the toile as necessary. Transpose any alterations to the pattern, and hopefully Bob's your uncle.

As long as you are reasonably practical it is fairly straightforward. Pm me if you need.

Brilliant, accidentprone.

Think I'll get whatever I can from ebay and alter it if I need to. I think I'm just a bit nervous of 'proper' sewing/good fabric, as I'm used to making it up ad I go/upcycling, and it not really mattering! But I don't want to waste the good wool suiting I have!

Thanks for sharing your expertise :)

No worries. Hope it goes well

There's quite a few of that pattern number in eBay, this one is for a size 5 with a waist measurement of 55 cm

m.ebay.com/itm/150962699306?nav=SEARCH

It should be fairly easy to alter

Also you could do a toile first, check the fit and then cut your good suiting

Most (all?) of DS's trousers have no fly. Elasticated wasit, as I need to pull them in as far as possible to keep them over his bum, and not on the floor.
He's 5. Not sure when they start having flys as standard.

Try Pinterest - lots of patterns ideas on there :)

That's a good point, addicted - he doesn't have much bum! I just assumed that 'smart' trousers would have a fly!

There's definitely a gap in the market for patterns for boys clothes, though.

I believe most smart boys trousers have a 'mock' fly, even though they have an elasticated waist.

Even secondary school trousers now gave a semi-elasticated waist ie fly at the front and straight waistband, with adjustable elastic through a straight waistband at the back.

The elastic has buttonholes in it, so you can tighten up the elastic to the internal button. Whoever thought of this idea should be given a medal (or something).

Sorry, just realised the link was Australia. Blame the migraine pills, my brain is fogged! This is in the UK.

m.ebay.co.uk/itm/321398441178?nav=SEARCH

Elasticated waists continue past "young boy"? Fab. You've made my night.
Aged 4, last summer holiday he was in 18 mth shorts when we ran out (little brothers!). No issue on the waist band..... I dread his hems creeping up his legs, and hold off buying new trousers as long as possible!