Broadfall Pants

This kind of pants has a large flap that covers the entire front, hold in place with buttons rather than a fly or zipper. It usually has no belt loops because it is worn using suspenders to hold it up. The fact that the fall is the full width of the front results in the name being broadfall. In some regions they are also named Barn Door Pants. Broadfall pants were worn by the general population of men during the late 1700's through the mid 1800's.

The waistband is buttoned like any other pants. The flap is fastened using two buttons on the side of the hips and two buttons in the front. In order to attach suspenders, the pants is equipped with additional buttons on the interior or exterior of the waistband.

The rise of the flap can be styled differently. A full flap reaches the top of the waistband and covers it completely, while a low flap covers only the bottom part of the waistband.

There are instruction how to sew broadfall pants available.

Pants are usually made of two front pieces, with a seam in the center front. Because broadfall pants lack a fly, they do not require it to be this way. With a front that is made of a single piece, the flap has a uniformly look. A new gusset piece is required at the crotch, causing a rounded seam in the front instead.

The single piece pattern does require slightly more fabric because the legs are at an angle. Sewing this pants is mostly the same. Just the gusset piece is a bit more difficult to sew in because of its rounded seams.

A customizable pattern for a broadfall pants is available for free.