Skirted Lace Up Palazzo Pants

Summer Pants with Folded Front Panels and Elastic Back Waist

Full-length wide women's trousers in a light drapey fabric, with leg panels that fold over toward the front and form open, curved edges down the front of each leg. The front waistband has a centre inset laced with a decorative cord through six fabric loops; the back waistband has elastic in casings.

When To Wear

• In hot weather, on holiday or at the beach, with a fitted top or bodysuit.
• For summer evenings, with sandals and a cropped top.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Wide, fluid legs that move apart at the front when walking.

Length: Full length, with a curved lower edge.

Legs: No side seams: front and back halves are joined at the inseams and centre seams, laid wrong sides together and folded toward the front, so the open outer edges overlap at the front.

Front: Flat front waistband with a faced inset at the centre; six rouleau loops made from a 2.5 cm bias strip are laced with a decorative cord.

Back: Back waistband folded in half with topstitched casings for 1 cm elastic, gathering the back.

Waist: Interfaced front waistbands and inset, joined to the back waistband at the sides.

Finishing: Open leg edges turned and topstitched, or finished with a narrow rolled hem, a narrow double-turned hem, decorative braid or lace.

Level Of Difficulty

Intermediate. Unusual leg assembly, rouleau loops, an elastic casing waistband joined to a faced front band.

Fabric Recommendations

Thin, soft fabrics with good drape, of natural or blended fibres.

Additional Supplies

• Lightweight fusible interfacing (back waistband, front waistbands, one front inset)
• Elastic tape, 1 cm wide
• Decorative cord
• Lace or decorative braid for the leg edges (optional)

Cutter’s Must

From Main Fabric:

1. Back Half – 2 pieces
2. Front Half – 2 pieces
3. Back Waistband – 1 piece
4. Front Waistband – 2 pieces
5. Front Insert – 2 pieces

From Fusible Interfacing:

All interfacing pieces are cut using the corresponding main pattern pieces:

1. Back Waistband – 1 piece
2. Front Waistband – 2 pieces
3. Front Insert – 1 piece

Important Information

Before cutting your fabric:

• Print and lay out pattern pieces to determine yardage.
• Check mirrored pieces, notches, and grainlines.
• For patterned fabrics, align carefully for symmetry.

Assembly Instructions

1. Interfacing Preparation

Apply fusible interfacing to the Back Waistband, Front Waistbands, and Front Insert pieces.

2. Inseams

Stitch the inseams of the Front Halves to the corresponding Back Halves.
Press the seam allowances toward the Back Half, then overlock the raw edges.

3. Outer Leg Edges

Overlock the outer edges of the pant legs, turn the edges to the wrong side, and topstitch.

Alternatively, the edges may be finished with a narrow rolled hem, decorative braid, or lace.

4. Center Seams & Leg Positioning

Stitch the center seams of the Front Halves and Back Halves.
Press the seam allowances toward the left side and overlock the raw edges.

Place the Front Half and Back Half with the right sides facing outward, aligning the upper edges and the side seam markings.
Fold the pant legs toward the front.

5. Bias Loop Preparation

Cut a bias strip 2.5 cm wide from the main fabric for the fabric loops.

Fold the strip lengthwise along the center, right sides together, and stitch 3 mm from the fold.
Trim the seam allowances close to the stitching, then turn the tube right side out and shape it into a narrow cord.

Cut the cord into six loops.

6. Front Insert Assembly

Place the Front Insert pieces right sides together and stitch along the upper edge.
Clip the seam allowances, turn the piece right side out, shape the edge, and press.

On the right side of the outer Front Insert, position and secure the fabric loops.

Open the Front Insert, then stitch the Front Waistbands to it.
Press the seam allowances toward the Front Waistbands.

7. Waistband Assembly

Fold the Back Waistband lengthwise along the center with the right side facing outward and press.
Mark and topstitch the casing lines for the elastic.

Insert the elastic tape into the Back Waistband and secure it at the side edges.

Fold the Front Waistbands lengthwise along the center right sides together.
Insert the Back Waistband between them and stitch the side edges.

Turn the waistband right side out, shape the edges, and press.

Attach the Waistband to the upper edge of the pants and overlock the seam allowances.

8. Decorative Cord

Thread the decorative cord through the fabric loops.