How to Make Aladdin Pants

Bellydancers wear harem pants on their own or under their skirts.

Aladdin pants are another name for harem pants. Combining elements of both pants and a skirt, harem pants are loose pants with an elastic waistband and a low crotch. They provide the legs with total freedom of movement, are cheap to buy or make and are comfortable to wear. Harem pants are often worn by Middle Eastern female dancers while performing such traditional dance numbers like the bellydance, as well as more modern dances like the popular Bollywood. Harem pants also make ideal active or casual wear as they allow you to move freely in the dance studio as well as on the street.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric measuring tape
• Multi-size harem pants pattern
• Cotton, silk, georgette, chiffon or other fabric
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Elastic for the waistband, 3/4 inch or 1 inch wide
• Elastic for the ankles, 1/2 inch wide

Instructions

1. Measure your waist, hips and ankle circumference with the fabric measuring tape. Choose your pattern size according to your body measurements. Hand wash the fabric and let air dry. Iron any wrinkles out.

2. Cut all of the fabric pieces into two, except for one piece which will be used for the waistband facing or as directed by the pattern instructions.

3. Fold each of the two leg pieces in half, with right sides together, and pin in place. Sew each of the leg pieces to form a tube. Join the leg pieces, with right sides together, and pin in place. Sew the crotch seam to combine the leg pieces and form the body of the pants.

4. If using the waistband facing, join to the pants body with right sides together, so the pants are inside out, and pin in place. Sew down. Turn the pants right side out. Insert and evenly stretch the elastic all the way around the waist of the pants between the facing and the inside top part of the pants. The elastic should be two inches shorter than your waist measurement or as directed by the pattern instructions. Pin the elastic in place and sew down.

5. Turn the bottom edges of the two ankles inward. Insert and evenly stretch the elastic all the way around the ankle sections. The elastic should be 1/2 inch shorter than your ankle circumference measurement or as directed by the pattern instructions. Pin the elastic in place and sew down.

Tips & Warnings

• Harem pants are equally attractive in both solid colors as well as patterns.

References

• Shira.net; "How to Make Harem Pants"; Dina Lydia
• Sheikhani Mid-East Dance Troupe; Costume Tips from Sheikhani, Harem Pants and Cabaret Skirt

Resources

• Folkwear: Tribal Style Belly Dancer