Hack Louizon

May 5, 2025

Today, I'm offering you a hack of the Louizon pattern for sunny days. Louizon is a pair of pants with no side seams and a wide leg. With its pleats and patch pockets, it's a wardrobe essential! With the warmer weather coming, I definitely wanted to cut its length and make shorts! I'll explain the step-by-step process for modifying your pattern and making this hack!

1. Length

First, you'll redefine the desired length for your shorts. To do this, you'll work on the piece numbered 1a.

The notches visible at the bottom of the pieces define the position of the knee. You can then choose the desired length by using these notches or by measuring the inseam length of one of your favorite shorts at home.

You will transfer this length by adding 1cm to your front fork (the pattern is provided with seam allowances included, you will therefore need to add 1cm of seam for the fork in order to define the finished length on your paper pattern).

Along the bottom line of the pattern, you will draw the line that defines the finished length of your shorts.

2. Width

This part of the hack is optional. If the leg width is comfortable for you, you won't need to change anything. If you want wider-legged shorts, follow the instructions below.

In my example, I'm going to add 4 cm to my leg width. This 4 cm will be distributed as follows:

1 cm at the bottom of the front fork
1cm at the bottom of the back crotch
2cm in the middle of the leg

We'll start with the forks. At the bottom of the leg, add 1cm to each fork, then redraw the fork lines.

Parallel to the straight grain, you will now draw a line passing through the middle notch on the side.

You will be able to cut the pattern on this line in order to open 2cm at the bottom of the leg. You will remain at zero on the waist line.

Your leg width is now changed.

3. The hem

We will now finalize the hem. To do this, take your bottom line and draw a line parallel to it according to your chosen hem height. For example, if you want a 4cm hem, draw a line 5cm from the first: 4cm for the hem height + 1cm for the first hem fold to have a flawless finish.

For those who have modified the leg width, you will redraw the bottom leg line between straight lines. You will then follow the same steps to draw the bottom hem line.

Don't forget to make your seam allowances at the bottom of the leg. To do this, simply fold along the finished length of the shorts and transfer the fork lines to the hem.

Your leg piece is ready! You can start sewing Louizon shorts! For my part, I made a version in Chesnut gabardine and I love it!