Women’s Cora Culottes

PATTERN BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 1

BEFORE YOU START:
*Quickly read over instructions before beginning.
*Get your fabric ready. I suggest preparing it exactly how you will care for it- meaning if you’re going to throw
it in the dryer...wash and dry it now! It will prevent any shrinkage, color bleeding, and get any nasty
chemicals off!
*You are free to sell products made from the pattern on a small home based scale. I would LOVE for you to
cite that it was a ‘Made for Mermaids’ pattern in your listing! Also, let me know on my Facebook page so I
can share your shop. Join my Facebook group here; I’m always around to help if you have a question.
*Please check the FAQS and Troubleshooting page if you have any problems!
*As always, back stitch when starting and ending a seam.
*All seam allowances included are 1/2” unless otherwise stated.
PRINTING INSTRUCTIONS:
*This pattern has no trim pages. Just butt the
grey lines together, match triangles and tape.
Rectangle measurements are given in the tutorial.
*This pattern includes layered pattern tiles that
allow you to choose only the sizes you wish to
print. In Adobe Reader, open the file, then click
on the layers icon on the left. Click on the eyeball
to turn size layers on or off. Be sure to leave the
bottom layer that says “Leave checked”, on.
*Print either “actual size” or “custom scale: 100%”.
Always measure your 1” squares to
ensure proper printing.

SUPPLY LIST:
*Fabric: Light to medium weight knit with soft drape. Double or single brushed poly, poly or rayon
blends, etc. More stable knits like cotton lycra will be more stiff and not drape as much.
*Ball point, stretch, or jersey needle. Knit twin needle optional.
*I love using my serger and cover stitch for all knit construction. If you don’t have a serger, suitable
stitches are: zig zag, triple stitch or overlock. When using a straight stitch, increase length to allow for
stretch.
*Remember the stretch of the fabric always goes horizontally around the body.
*Basics: pins, thread, scissors, ruler, rotary cutter, hem gauge. Optional- 1/2” hem tape

SIZING:
Check the chart below to find the perfect size. Preferred waist and hip measurements are given. Four
inseams included- 4”, 8”, 12” and 17”. Meant to hit at high-thigh, mid-thigh, above knee and below knee
for a 5’5” woman.
Grey Pink Purple Blue Indigo Green Yellow Orange Red
Preferred 29”-30” 30”-32” 32”-34” 34”-36” 37”-39” 40”-42” 44”-46” 47”-49” 50”-53”
Waist
Hips 33”- 35”-36” 37”-38” 39”-40” 41”-43” 44”-45” 46”-49” 49”-51” 52”-54”
34.5”
4 inseams included- 4”, 8”, 12” and 17”

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 2

CHOOSING A SIZE:
You will need to measure your preferred waist and hips to choose a size. Your preferred waist is an
inch or two below your belly button, where mid-rise pants would sit. Hips are the fullest point of your
booty. If your measurements put you in two different sizes, you can easily “mash” sizes for a perfect fit
(see below). IF YOU ARE ADDING THE INSEAM POCKETS I SUGGEST SIZING UP ON MAIN PIECES,
SO THE POCKETS DO NOT PULL OPEN. KEEP WAISTBAND IN YOUR SIZE.

MASHING SIZES:
For the best fit, you’ll want to mash sizes if necessary. Below on the left, outlined in yellow, is an exam-
ple of how to mash if your preferred waist is smaller than your hip measurement (Blue to Indigo). You
will cut the Blue waistline and slowly grade out to the Indigo line. You will cut the Blue waistband.

On the right example the preferred waist is larger than the hip measurement. (Orange to Yellow). You
will cut the Orange waistline and slowly grade out to the Yellow line. You will cut the Orange waistband.

NOTE- if you want the shorts longer or shorter, simply look at the finished inseam lengths on the size
chart and lengthen or shorten to your personal preference.

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 3

FABRIC REQUIREMENT CHART:
Approximate by yard for 60” wide knits. Does not account for any shrinkage, print matching or fabric off grain.
Grey Pink Purple Blue Indigo Green Yellow Orange Red
4” Inseam 1 1 3/8 1 1/2
8” Inseam 1 1/4 1 1/2 1 5/8 1 3/4
12” Inseam 1 1/4 1 3/4 1 7/8 2
17” Inseam 1 1/2 1 5/8 1 3/4 1 7/8 2 1/4 2 5/8

CUTTING LAYOUT:
A few sample cutting layouts are shown below. Depending on which options and size you choose, it
may be laid out differently. To save on fabric, cut the back piece first, then refold your fabric and cut
your front shorts.

Fold Fold

60” 60”

Selvage Selvage

Fold Fold

MEASUREMENT CHART:
Measurements are given in inches, LENGTH x WIDTH! Stretch goes across the WIDTH of the waist-
band. See cutting layout above.
Grey Pink Purple Blue Indigo Green Yellow Orange Red
Waistband 6x 6x 6x 6x 6x
6 x 29 6 x 31.5 6 x 33 6 x 38
24.75 25.75 27.5 35.5 40.75

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 4

STEP 1: CUTTING
Assemble pattern and cut 2 front pieces (mirror images) and 2 back pieces (mirror images). Optional cut
4 pockets (2 mirror images). Remember if adding pockets, size up! Use measurement chart to cut waist-
band.

STEP 2: INNER LEG SEAM

With right sides together, match inner leg seams of front and back. Stitch together. Repeat with other
leg.

STEP 3: POCKETS (NO POCKET OPTION SKIP TO STEP 4)

With right sides together, place pockets along the side seam of each back piece; measure 1” from top
of shorts for placement. Stitch pocket to back along the straight edge of pocket- DO NOT use a serg-
er for this seam, you will want to use your sewing machine. Repeat with front pieces.

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 5

Press each pocket away from each side seam and press the seam allowance toward pocket. Under-
stitch the seam allowance to the pocket by edgstitching along the straight edge of the pocket, catching
the seam underneath. This will help your pocket lay nicely and look more professional!

With right sides together, line up one front and back, with pockets out. Pin. Starting at the top of the
side seam, stitch down and around the pocket to the bottom of the side seam. I like to use my sewing
machine at the corner of the pockets and then serge. Repeat for second front and back pieces. Tuck
pockets inside. Skip to step 5.

STEP 4: SIDE SEAMS (POCKET OPTION SKIP TO STEP 5)

Place front piece on top of back piece, right sides together, stitch the side seam. Repeat with other leg.

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 6

STEP 5: CROTCH SEAM
Turn one leg right side out. Place inside other leg, with right sides together, matching raw edges and
inner leg seams. Pin crotch seam from top of back shorts to top of front shorts. Stitch together. Turn
right side out. Note- Your back pieces are longer than the front. It also has a longer back rise if you
need to check or think you got them mixed up.

Note
back shorts
are longer than
front. This is
intentional.

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 7

STEP 6: ATTACHING WAISTBAND
Press waistband in half lengthwise, creating a memory press. Unfold. With right sides together, fold
waistband in half widthwise. Stitch short end, creating a loop.

FOLD

FOLD
Fold the waistband in half, lengthwise, wrong sides together, enclosing seam.

You are going to quarter the waistband. So, stick a pin center front. Center back is your seam. Then
match centers and pin sides. If you have your model available you can slip the waistband on now to
see if it needs to be adjusted.

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 8

Slip waistband over shorts right sides together, matching raw edges and quarter points of waistband to
crotch and side seams of shorts. Continue stretching waistband to fit shorts, pin in place. Stitch waist-
band to shorts, being careful to stretch the waistband only, not your shorts. TIP: You can slip a tag or
ribbon in the back between the waistband and shorts so your model knows which is the back.

RAW EDG-

FOLD

STEP 7: HEMMING
Press 1/2” of bottom edge to wrong side. Edge stitchhem in place.

Try hem tape

here for a more
stable and
professional
looking hem!

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 9

 Yay!! All finished! Don’t forget to share what you’ve sewn up in the Made for Mer-
maids Patterns Group page on Facebook and on instagram @madeformermaids
#mamacoraculottes #coraculottespattern #madeformermaids. We love to see what you’-
ve created!
Do you love sewing for little ones like we do??
Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the girl’s Cora!

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 10

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 Pattern layout shown below.
Layered pattern, print only the sizes you need.
Save a tree ;) Pages you need to print by size and options.
Grey Pink Purple Blue Indigo Green Yellow Orange Red
16-18, 20-22, 16-18, 20-22, 24-26, 28- 16-18, 20-26, 16-18, 20-26,
4”
24-26, 28-30 30, 34 28-31, 34-35 28-31, 33-35
16-18, 20-22, 16-18, 20-22, 16-18, 20-26,
16-18, 20-22, 24-26, 28-
8” 24-26, 28-30, 24-26, 28-31, 28-31, 33-35,
31, 34-35, 37-38
34-35, 37-38 34-35, 37-38 37-38, 42
16-22, 24-31, 16-22, 24-31, 34-36, 37- 16-31, 33-39,
12” 16-39, 42-43
34-39 39 43
16-22, 24-31, 16-31, 33-41,
17” 16-22, 24-32, 34-41, 43 16-44
34-40 43-44
Optional Pocket 45

(c) Megan Gorman 2017 15

 1”
1”

1A
GREY
PINK
PURPLE
BLUE
INDIGO
GREEN
YELLOW
ORANGE
RED
Culottes
ages)
nce
1”

aids
1”

1B
MEASUREMENT CHART:
Measurements are given in inches, LENGTH x WIDTH! Stretch goes across the WIDTH of the waistband.
See cutting layout above.
Grey Pink Purple Blue Indigo Green Yellow Orange Red
Waistband 6 x 24.756 x 25.75 6 x 27.5 6 x 29 6 x 31.5 6 x 33 6 x 35.5 6 x 38 6 x 40.75

4” inseam cutline 1”
1”

1C

8” inseam cutline
12” inseam cutline
1”
1”

1D
 1”
17” inseam cutline
1” 1E

GREY
PINK
PURPLE
BLUE
INDIGO
GREEN
YELLOW
ORANGE
RED

wome
C
 1”

1”
1F

men’s Cora Culottes

Front
Cut 2 (2 mirror images)
 1”

1” 1G

es
 1”

1”
1H
 1”

1” 2A
 women’s Co
ra Cu

e
B a ck

l i n
Cut 2 (2 m
irror image

i n
1/2” seam
allowance

a
1”

gr
Made for M
(c) Megan
2B
1”

Gorman 2
017
erma
stretch
 stretch

1”
1”

2C
 1”

1” 2D
 C

grainline
Ma
1”

1” 2E

4” inseam cutline

8” inseam cutline
 Front
Cut 2 (2 mirror images)
1/2” seam allowance
Made for Mermaids
(c) Megan Gorman 2017

stretch

e
1”

1” 2F

e
 1”

1” 2G
 1”

1” 2H
 1”

1” 2I
 1”

1” 3A
 1”

1” 3B
 1”

1” 3C
 1”

1” 3D
8” inseam cutline

1”

1” 3E

12” inseam cutline

17” inseam cutline

e

1”

1” 3F

e
 1”

1” 3G
 1”

1”
3H
 1”

1”
3I
 1”

1” 4B
 1”

1” 4C
 1”

1” 4D 1

1” 4E

grainline
 1”

1” 4E

women’s Cora Culottes

Inseam Pocket
Cut 4 (2 mirror images)
1/2” seam allowance
Made for Mermaids
(c) Megan Gorman 2017
grainline

stretch