Super Easy Waistband for Quick Harem Pants

This quick & easy alternative waistband method will work on any of the Pattern Emporium Harem Pants – Ladies, Kids, Babies, Premmie.  (click to visit website)

Whilst this method is widely used in manufactured clothing (I have a few commercial pants that feature this waistband), I do prefer the method in the tutorial because it sits flatter & neater.

So, lets get started...

1. Follow the instructions in the Harem Pants pattern(s) to complete your Harem Pants right up to adding the waistband.

2. Cut the waistband & elastic as advised in the pattern.

3. Iron waistband in half, open out & sew into a loop as advised in pattern(s).

4. Starting at the seam (this will be centre back), topstitch close to folded edge of waistband.

5. Form a loop with your elastic, overlapping the ends by 2cm. Try the elastic for fit & then stitch in X formation to secure closed.

6. Slip looped elastic inside your waistband loop & push towards the top (folded edge).

7. Baste around the top edge of your waistband, enclosing your elastic inside. Ensure elastic is pushed up against folded edge.

8. The seam is centre back of your waistband. Find centre front by folding waistband in half. Place a pin here.

9. With right sides together, align centre back of waistband to centre back of pants. Do the same for centre front.

10. Stretch waistband around waist of pants and pin evenly all the way around (yep, it’s a bit tricky).

11. Straight stitch all the way around your waistband/pants making sure your elastic is out of the way of your stitching.

12. Overlock around the seam to neaten.

13. Open waistband upwards with seam towards pants.

14. (Optional: topstitch along seam).

And that’s it. Give your harem pants a good iron & they are ready to wear.