How to Make Basic Harem Pants for Costumes (sewing pattern included)
This is a tutorial for a basic pair of elastic waist harem pants. It’s best to use a lightweight material for these (which also makes them great for summer conventions). If this is your first time making your own costume, this is a great sewing project since it’s pretty simple and works as a basic pair of pants for a lot of anime characters.
I created a sewing pattern that you can use for this (print it out below), or you can follow the instructions to make your own pattern based on your measurements.
(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)
* Note: This pattern will comfortably fit someone to a hip width of about 48 inches. You can make the entire pattern wider by using a starting rectangle that matches your wait measurement, and creating your pattern from there.
Make Your Pattern:
* The measurements I give you for the I center crotch seam are meant to make it loose so that it will fit most body types. However, if you are very tall or have a bigger bottom, you can lengthen or widen the crotch measurements for a better fit.
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Supplies Needed:
Step 1
hem the top of the pocket
Make a 1/2 inch hem at the top of the pocket.
Step 2
press under the seam allowance for the pocket
Fold over the seam allowance on the remained three sides of the pocket. Baste in place if necessary.
Step 3
sew the pocket to the pants
Center the pocket on the pant legs. Make the top of the pocket 8-12 inches down from the top of the pants. (typically if you are shorter make the pocket higher up. If you are taller make the pocket lower down.)
Note: You can make two pockets if you want to. I like to use one and always put it on the right pant leg so that I can tell at a glance which side is the front and which is the back when wearing the pants without using a clothing tag.
Step 4
sew the inseam of the pants
Fold the pant legs in half with right sides together and sew the inseam for both legs.
Step 5
sew the center crotch seam
With right sides together, place one pant leg inside the other. Then line up the crotch seam and sew. Turn the pants to the right side.
Step 6
fold over the top to form a casing
Fold over 1/2 and inch along the top edge. Then fold another 3/4 inch and sew along the bottom to form a casing. You want to leave a small gap in the stitches so you can insert the elastic.
Step 7
insert elastic into the casing
Cut a piece of 1/2″ elastic that is the size of you waist. Then insert it through the casing. Make sure the elastic isn’t twisted and sew it into a loop. Then sew up the gap in the casing.
Step 8
fold over the bottom of the pants to form casings
Repeat step 6 for the bottom edge of the pant legs. Creating casings for the cuffs of your pants.
Step 9
insert elastic into the casings
Cut pieces of elastic that will comfortably fit around your ankles (usually around 8-10″) and insert them into your casings. Sew the elastic into a loop and sew up the gap in your casing stitches.
Finished!
