How to Make Rai Pants

Rai Pants Sell for $533 in May 2009 LA Times

These harem pants have been sen on the runway in the Spring 2009 fashions shows.
They can be worn by any body size since they fall and drape on tall skinny woman and cover the hips on those who are not so skinny. Wear high heels if you are under 5'8" with these pants. Wear something tight and minimal on the top.

Things You'll Need

• 1 7/8 - 2 1/8 yards of material, Silk, Linen, Challis, or light weight cotton, Depending on the length (45" wide)
• Zipper
• Hook and eyes

Instructions

1. 

   Measure waist, length, and hips of whom you are making the Rai pants for.
   Depending on the measurements you can buy a pattern that fits in their size or make your own pattern using their measurements.
   Lay out material right sides together. Pieces for waist band and draw string can fit around edges of leg pattern. Pin, cut and mark darts.

2. 

   First sew pleats as indicated in pattern or do your desire.
   Stitch front to back sides. Run a stitch around waist area.

3. Sew yoke/waistband pieces together. Sew up tie pieces by folding wrong sides together, and fold up one more time and stitch over long edges.
   Sew in zipper in back. Sometimes easier to sew up seam with a large stitch where zipper is going to go. Lay zipper on inside of seam. Sew around zipper that is pinned in place. The seam rip seam open. There you are.

4. Sew waistband piece on. Sew interfacing of waistband on and fold, iron, pin and top stitch. Close up with hook and eyes.

5. Hem up bottom and baste in place. Insert drawstring through with a safety pin. Sew up hem with a top stitch. Tie knots on end of drawstrings.

Tips & Warnings

• If you buy material at $10 - $20 a yard - for less than $50 you made yourself a pair of designer pants that go for $533.

• Copyright Zahzel Rose.