The ultimate sewing pattern guide for shalwar kameez lovers

The Shalwar Kameez is a timeless and versatile outfit, loved across many generations for its elegance, comfort, and adaptability. From traditional to modern styles, for many south Asian women it’s an essential that never goes out of style. 

 One of the most rewarding ways to enjoy the Shalwar Kameez is to sew your own. Not only do you get a custom fit tailored to your body, but you also have the freedom to express your creativity with fabrics, prints and embellishments. And when you sew your own it’s often at a fraction of the cost of ready-made or boutique pieces. 

 To sew your own you must have a pattern and you can draft a pattern that fits your body perfectly, and re-use the pattern again and again: Here is a basic guide to walk you through the basics of making your own shalwar kameez pattern : 

Step 1: taking accurate body measurements 

Step 2: drafting the kameez pattern, starting from shoulder and moving onto armhole, and bustline, waistline and hip line. 

Step 3: mark shoulder slop and add darts for fitting 

Step 4: mark in your neckline 

Step 5: drafting the sleeves - you will need to measure armhole circumference to match the sleeve. 

Step 6: Test your pattern before cutting into your final fabric. Do not skip this step.

Make adjustments to your pattern with precision and care

 Final tips for pattern making success:

• Keep your paper pattern flat 
• Label each piece clearly front and back
• Store your patterns neatly so you can reuse them
•  Once you have your perfect pattern you can adapt it endlessly for new styles 

 If you want to learn how to make your own unique patterns, then here is a pattern cutting system that you will find nowhere else. This is my own unique pattern cutting system that I have perfected over the years and now I am here to teach you the exact system to make your own Shalwar Kameez. We don’t stop at just pattern cutting, in the online course, I also teach you how to sew it together, how to fit it, and sew with pride. Check out the shalwar kameez course