Harem Pants Tutorial

I really like wearing comfortable clothing – and these are very comfortable (if you choose the right fabric, that is)! The fabric I used in this particular harem pants tutorial might have been a bit too stiff, because it’s meant for curtains or upholstery… So you might want to choose something like cotton, silk or other natural materials. At least soft materials. :)

In this Harem Pants Tutorial I’ll show you how to make perfectly wearable pants out of two square pieces of fabric. It’s very easy and very quick.

I’ve tried to draw how they look – and as you can see, it’s a rectangle that is folded, and there’s another rectangle put on top with smocking on.

Let’s get to it!

What you’ll need:

• Fabric, preferably soft – 185 cm long (140 wide)
• Elastic band – 5mm
• Elastic thread, for smocking
• Thread in same color as your fabric
• Sewing machine
• Serger (optional)
• Scissors
• Tailors chalk
• ruler or measuring tape
• Pins pins pins!

In the diagram above you can see how the pants are thought out. (click to see a larger image)

The two squares and their measurements.

I cut the smaller square later in the process – I measured the “hole” where it was to be sewn on, before I cut it, but it was due to my laziness. You can safely cut them out.

Use 1 cm as seam allowance wherever there is a seam allowance. :)

I started with serging the edges all around – if you do not have a serger, you can zig-zag with a wide zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine. It’s just so the fabric don’t fray.

Then I marked where my “foot opening” should be. 45 cm from the short edge, on the long side (does it make sense?) – You should be able to see it on the diagram above. :) Just pin the mark.

I must admit, that this picture above doesn’t make much sense, if you don’t know what I’m trying to show you (I’m still learning to take descriptive pictures). Hmm… Well, it’s the A1 & B1 sides folded toward the A2 & B2 sides – And pinned. At the bottom right side you can see a pin, where I marked where the “foot opening” should be.

Perhaps it makes more sense here… :D

Now they’re folded and pinned, so you see the bottom of the pants at the bottom of the picture. And at the top, is where you’ll sew on the other rectangle with smocking.

Now the seams have been sewn, and you can see the “foot opening” in this picture.

Now fold the seam by the “foot opening” about 1 cm on the wrong side, and pin all around. It’s where the elastic band should go, so it fit snugly around your leg/ankle . It can be a bit tricky to sew where the seam is, but it doesn’t matter if you fold the fabric a bit, since it’ll be wrinkled by the elastic band. Leave a small gap open, so you can put in the elastic band.

I cut my elastic band around 34 cm’s. (2 pieces) That is enough to go around my ankle plus a little, plus the knot. If you’re unsure, just try tying a piece of elastic around you ankle or leg, and see how tightly it fits.

And cut two. :)

Take a safety pin, add the elastic band and put it through your “tunnel” at the foot openings.

Tie a knot when you’re all the way through.

Close the gap, so the elastic band won’t show… ever! :D

Now you’re done with the bottom part of you harems pants. Yay!

Here’s is where I measured the top part – the “hole” where I will sew on the other rectangle.

I will admit, I made my first rectangle a bit longer (totally unnecessary), that’s why I wanted to measure it afterwards… But if you just follow the diagram, everything should be peachy. I have to say though, that if your hip is more than 120 cm around, then you should make your first rectangle longer (190-200 cm) – and remember to measure this hole, to get your second rectangle the right size.

I’ve cut my rectangle while the fabric was folded, so it should be (in your case) 60 x 20 cm.

Serge or zig-zag the seams here also – we don’t like them frays. :D

Fold one of the length – the top, if you have a pattern, where there’s up and down – back on the wrong side – pin and sew.

On the right side of your new rectangle start drawing horizontal lines, where you’ll be sewing the smocking. I started 1,5 cm from the top, and just drew lines all the way down. Remember to leave 1 cm for seam allowance.

Now prep your bobbin with elastic thread. Spool it on – it should be fairly tight.

I’ve experienced difference in elastic thread quality, so do make sure you have a good one.

A tip could be to sew twice on every line you’ve drawn.

The bobbin with tightly wound elastic thread, and the top thread is just ordinary thread in the same color as the fabric.

I set the stitch length to 4 mm.

I just sew over every line (this is why you drew on the right side). Remember to fasten before and after ever line, so elastic won’t loosen.

Here’s how your rectangle should look now. Perhaps even tighter. :)

Pin the short sides together – right side against right side, and sew, with 1 cm seam allowance.

Pin your smocking to your main pants – right side against right side. I set the seam of the top rectangle against a seam on the pants part – then I know what’s the back of the pants. :)

And there you have them.

Wonderfully comfortable harems pants.

I learned to make these when I went to school – one of my classmates had brought the “recipe” – and now I am sharing it with you. I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you’ll share it as well.

Other than that I’m wishing you a very happy weekend!

Kisses – Parnuuna