Tutorial: Easy Harem Pants

Harem pants are super comfortable and easy to make. I like to wear them as pajama pants all summer long, but they are versatile and can be dressed up or down however you like. You can print out the pattern using the link below, or use your own measurements to create your own custom pattern. Then, follow the step by step tutorial to sew your pants together.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. That being said, I encourage you to use your local sewing shop whenever possible, or to look for supplies second hand.

Supplies Needed:

2-3 yards of lightweight flowy fabric such as rayon (depending on the length of your final pants)
1/2 inch elastic

Sewing Pattern PDF

(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:

Measure your waist and the length you want your pants to be.
Start with a rectangle the length of your leg and your waist measurement (this will make one pant leg, front and back, so the final pants fabric will fit around your waist twice)
Front crotch seam: make a curve 12 inches down and 3 inches in from the side (don’t worry about making this curve perfect, just generally the same shape as the diagram below)
Back crotch seam: Repeat what you did for the front, but make it 5 inches from the side instead
Bottom of pants: Move the bottom of the pants 4 inches in on both sides and connect it to the crotch for the inseam.

* 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.

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!