Thread: Harem Pants Fabric

So I've been making up harem pants to match various costumes, and I typically use Silk Essence fabric. It's super cheap, easy to work with, lasts well, and rather pretty.

But there's only so many colors! And, lately, I find myself looking at other synthetic fabrics.

So, I'm curious, what have you all used to make harem pants? Will funky fabrics like lame work? What about something like chiffon (which I hate, so admittedly I probably won't use it, but just in case...) Brocades are awfully heavy but sooooo pretty....

And, is it a mortal sin to wear cotton harem pants with a nice bedlah? Cause I've found a lovely cotton shot through with gold that I'm considering...

Any help would be very appreciated!

Consider charmeuse, which is a special kind of satin that drapes beautifully, but has the sheen of satin. It'll drape as nicely as Silk Essence.

Brocades are fine if you like them and don't mind how heavy they area. If they're too heavy for the elastic to hold them up, try a drawstring.

I'm not fond of harem pants made with tissue lame - the fabric is very stiff, and the pants look (to me) like clown pants. I don't think the look is very flattering. But then again, if you LIKE huge balloony harem pants, maybe you'll feel differently from me.

I like double georgette for harem pants. It too drapes as beautifully as the charmeuse. The only negative is that it doesn't have any shine to it, but depending on the look you want that may be okay.

Regarding cotton, it would depend both on the cotton and also on the bedleh. It might be okay, might not. I'd suggest that you find a friend who has GOOD taste AND whom you can trust to give you an HONEST opinion. Take her and the bedleh with you to the fabric store, and see what she says.

You would probably have to cut lame harem pants very close to the body.

i like chiffon as an illusion piece. Give a tiny bit of modesty but is still 'revealing'. But then I do big 3 panal skirts with slits up to my belt.

Cotton would completely depend on the bedlah. IMO something relaly glitzy would not go well with cotton, unless it was possibly shot with metalic stripes. I have a black pair I made from a black cotton sari which has gold through it, this works.

If you are more tribally inclined, I think you have more options. Because the harem pants can be more versital, depending on what you are coupling them with.

{{{HUGS}}}

This is a great question. I went to the fabric store the other day trying to find some fabric for harem pants and I was so lost! I didn't end up getting anything. But I have plenty of projects to keep me busy! ;)

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I like double georgette for harem pants. It too drapes as beautifully as the charmeuse. The only negative is that it doesn't have any shine to it, but depending on the look you want that may be okay.

Shira, is double georgette an actual fabric or are you referring to two layers of georgette put together?

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Shira, is double georgette an actual fabric or are you referring to two layers of georgette put together?

The name of the fabric is double georgette. Meaning, as opposed to georgette chiffon which is sheer. Double georgette is sort of a heavier, opaque version of chiffon which drapes beautifully.

Doubel georgette is also known as Crepe georgette. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

The first pair of harem pants I ever made was some kind of black and silver textured semi-sheer synthetic stuff that cost about $2 a metre and they still look nice. And a while back I meanly laughed at somebody gasping and swooning over some Oh So Amazing Groundbreaking pants worn by Rachel Brice, that were normal big harems made from devore velvet.

Anything at all that drapes will work.

I just made several pairs of harem pants with a sheer polyester fabric that has glittery patterns on it. Very see-through but designed just to give a bit of coverage under my split skirts. The problem is, the glitter is coming off everywhere. Still, it's kinda satisfying knowing that every time I exit a gig I will leave a lasting reminder of myself all over their carpet. In fact, last night I got changed into costume for a gig, in the teenage boy's bedroom. How mortified is he going to be if his friends come over and he's got glitter sparkles everywhere?!! Ha ha ha....

thank you all for your advice! i'm going to definitely check out the double georgette. yay for new projects!