This unisex scrubs pants pattern will come very handy if you need to look after a sick person suffering from a contagious illness. With the novel coronavirus spreading, and medical equipment hard to get ahold of, homemade protection may be the best you can do.
Last year during the winter, I caught the worst case of the flu that I've ever had. Thankfully my daughter was there to help me through it, bringing me warm drinks and making the meals. But, unfortunately, within four days she had caught the flu herself. Had she worn a mask and regularly changed her clothing, it may have been a different story. Now there is more at stake, and we want to be ready just in case one of us comes down with something. We've already made a mask, and now I'll show you how to make some bottoms that are easy to change out of, wash, and can be made in no time.
These pants have one large pocket on the side, an elastic waistband with a cord, and enough room to move around in. This will make this a very pair of comfortable bottoms for anyone in your family.
Materials
- 2 to 2 1/2 yards of cotton (poplin), twill, or mechanical stretch polyester (for fast drying)
- 1 to 1 1/2 yards of 3/8″ or 1/2″ elastic, or 2″ wide elastic
- 2 yards of 1/4″ cord for the waistband
- Thread to match
Tools
- Sewing machine (optional) but ideal
- Scissors
- Pins
Fabric Recommendations
Sewing Skills: Intermediate Beginners
If you have never made a pair of pants in your life, please read the following articles before cutting the fabric.
5 Mistakes To Avoid When Cutting Fabric
Unlined Patch Pocket Tutorial
Unlined patch pocket tutorial – how to make the perfect pocket
Sewing Pajama Shorts
From minute 10:00 you will see how to insert an elastic very fast.
How To Download Your PDF Pattern
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Pattern Download
How To Print And Assemble Your Unisex Scrubs Pants Pattern
Please use Adobe Reader a (free program), Landscape mode, do not scale. Tape the pattern first horizontally from 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25. Then tape 1-5 on top of 6-10 etc. The small squares are 1″ and the distance between the lines is also 1″.
Fitting: The waistband must be able to pass over your hips. Choose your size according to your hips size. Allow 4 to 6 inches of ease at the hips. Add two inches of length for men.
In this sew along, I show you how to make some adjustments to a pattern, how to increase the waistband, the crotch and how to increase or reduce the width of the legs.
Pattern Sizes
| Size | Waist | Hips | Length |
| S | 24-30 | 36 | 36 |
| M | 30-36 | 40 | 38 |
| L | 36-41 | 45 | 39 |
| 2XL | 42-47 | 51 | 40 |
| 3XL | 48-51 | 57 | 41 |
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How To Sew Your Scrubs Pants:
Use a small to medium stitch and a 5/8″ seam allowance already included in your pattern.
Step One: Sew the front and back together on the side seam
Zig Zag the seam allowance or serge reducing the seam allowance to 3.8″
Step Two: Apply the pocket
Following the Sewing Pajama Shorts tutorial linked above.
I have added the pocket in your pattern. Please trace it on a piece of fabric following the pattern. Seen below sideways.
Fold the top edge.
Fold the sides.
Fold the bottom
Fold the top once again.
Stitch down at 7/8″ from the top.
Pin the pocket in place following the pattern. About 4″ of the pocket will be on the front side.
Stitch around no more than 1/8″ or double stitch for a stronger pocket.
Repeat Step One and two. Personally, I wished I had double stitched the pockets. It would have looked more professional but a single stitch is still strong enough.
Step Three: Sew the inseam
Step Four: Sew the crotch
Turn one leg right side out, then thread/feed it through the other leg. Match the crotch and pin.
You know you have done it well when you have the right sides facing each other. Sew and serge.
Step Five: Sewing the waistband, there are two methods depending on your elastic.
If you are using a 1 1/2″ wide elastic apply the elastic as in the sewing pajama shorts video.
From minute 10:00 I show you how to do this very fast and easy.
Make a band with the elastic.
Fold the waistband 1/2″, slide the elastic band and fold over the elastic, then sew.
If you are using the 1/2″ or 3/8″ elastic.
Fold 1/2″
then fold 2″. Mark two lines 1/2″ from the top, then 3/4″.
Make one buttonhole on each side of the seam allowance, then sew the lines leaving a channel so you can tread the cord and the elastic trough.
Step Six: Sew the hemline
Zigzag or serge the hem, then fold 1″ and stitch.
As you can see, the unisex scrubs pants pattern is very simple to use. I'd say you could make three in just an afternoon. That means you can quickly help protect your friends and family if one of you falls ill. It is important to remember that these scrubs bottoms should be washed every time you come into contact with the potentially infected person – check out our article on ways to disinfect clothing for help with that.
In need of a mask? Check out our free pattern and tutorial on how to make your own face mask.
Need anything else in your wardrobe to look after a sick person? Do let me know in the comments below, I'm more than happy to help.
Please share this unisex scrubs pants pattern and join the many thousands of women sewing for charity. Stay healthy and happy, wishing you the best, until next time!
HOw much seem allowance did you use and is that included in the pattern or does that need to be added when cutting the fabric. thank you in advance!
Hi, printed out the pattern and so far so good. I have a question thought…. There is no legend included in the instructions to tell me which color line to cute out. I have searched the site and the spreadsheet gives the sizes S M L 2XL 3XL but no XL which is confusing as the hip size increases in 1 inch incriments, so if I look at the pattern, (And I want 2xl) do I cute the blue line, or the black line? Please advise!!!
Not hard to make a reversible scrub cap: Cut two of crown & forehead/tie. Don’t serge anything. Sew each crown to its matching forehead/tie. Place the two caps, right sides together, along straight edge where elastic will go. Sew just that 12″ edge. Turn and press seam. Sew another seam 3/8″ or 1/2″ to make casing for elastic. Thread elastic in, then stitch ends to keep in place. Fold the rest of the caps right sides together and sew around remaining edges, matching center forehead, leaving 3-4″ gap along one tie for turning. Turn right sides out, press, topstitch, and there you have it!
Could these pants be made without the draw string? I’ve had numerous problems with other draw string garments that has made me leery of making this pattern as designed.
Yes you can just use elastic.
Can you use quilters cotton?
Depends on the fabric. Not recommended if you are using batiste, rayon or georgette. If you are using a fabric with a lot of body such as twill and thing you can but please test a piece of the fabric to adjust the tension if you need to.
Brilliant. Do you have a multi- size top pattern. I am making up from old white flat sheets I have had for years. Excellent quality material and now is an excellent time to “recycle” them. Making scrubs for a young lady who works in a Care Home with no protection..
Thank you so much for what you are doing.
Hi Maureen, I’ll put it on the list. Hopefully will get a pattern made up shortly. There seems to be a lot of interest.
THANKS BUNCHES!!!
Can you please tell me whether I should print in Letter or A4 for A4 the test square is not correct
You need to use Adobe Reader, Landscape mode and do not scale at all. The pattern will print on A4 or Letter without a problem.
Please, please – it would be WONDERFUL to have a scrubs top to match these pants.
THANK YOU!
Coming soon, Suzanne! Stay tuned!
Mayra, I just printed this PDF pattern and the one for the Linen V-Top. The 2” square on the pattern for the top measures perfectly, but the one on page 5 for the scrub pants is slightly smaller than 2” (about 1 15/16”) square. I tried printing it in a couple of different PDF programs, including Adobe Acrobat Reader, and it came out the same. What do you think?
Hi Cindy, the only program I recommend is Acrobat reader, Actual Size, not scaling at all. Landscape mode. Still I am going to check the link and get back to you. Via email. Thanks for reaching out!
I am unable to make this pattern work. The pattern pieces from 6-10 do not line up with everything else – can anyone help?
Landscape Mode, pages do not need to be cut just tape together, rows need to be align so the squares measure 1″ square. There are thin lines in between they too measure 1″ from each other.
Perfect, just what I have been looking for. Do you have a pattern for a scrub top to go with the pants?
Really appreciate your mask info too. Thank you.
Thanks for the pattern and how to add the drawstring. What thickness if muslin did you you use? What is considered a thick muslin. I am finding buying fabric online very difficult since I can’t touch/feel it. Any help in how to select fabric online will be appreciated.
Hi, Jojo I should have said a medium weight muslin, I buy this in bulk because I use it for draping https://www.fabric.com/buy/0579505/premium-muslin-muslin-tan
Mine is 5.5 oz/ yard but a 4.8 oz will also work. I will try to be more specific when suggesting a fabric. Thank you for your question it is a great one.
Thank you so much!
My pleasure!
Thank you so much!
My pleasure!
These are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this pattern! I have a daughter who is a nurse. Do you have a scrub shirt pattern, or will you be coming out with one? Thanks!
If there enough requests I will make a pattern and share it with all, but for the mean time this top makes an excellent alternative https://so-sew-easy.com/linen-v-top-pattern/
Thank you!
This is amazing I’ve been looking everywhere. I second a need for a unisex scrub top pattern as well. The hospital has run out so we are having to source our own scrubs for the pandemic! Thanks for all you do.
Not at all, thank you! for what you are doing!
What fabric did you use? Where can we purchase mechanical stretch polyester?
Hi Trish, mechanical stretch polyester is another name for gabardine with a 6-10% stretch normally used on uniforms. I used muslin. I ran out of paper and was not able to make the pattern so I had to drape on the mannequin, tricky but not impossible. Try amazon they sell both.