How to Make A Kameez

A Salwar kameez is a traditional wardrobe worn by both man and woman in India. The whole outfit comes in three parts, one, the kameez or kurta which is worn on top, two, the salwar, which is the pajama and three the scarf or also known as duppata. This article focuses mainly on the kameez. It is usually long and has slits on both sides. For a day to day usage, it is usually made simple and plain. But if one is going to a special occasion or gathering, the kameez worn has many embellishments and embroidery. Making the kameez is quite tricky and difficult if you do not know how to go about it. First of course you must be familiar on how to operate a sewing machine because a sewing machine is needed in order to make this clothing. Once you know how to operate, then I guess there’s no other major obstacle that can hinder you in making your own kameez. Just simply get all the materials needed and follow the instructions below. Good luck!

Materials:

Flexible tape measure

Sketch pad

Colored pencils or markers

Pattern Paper

Drawing pencils

Scissors

Pins

Sewing Machine

Zipper (optional)

1. Gather all the needed materials. In choosing the fabric, consider the use of your kameez. Your fabric must fit to the occasion and the season. For example if its summer, the recommended fabrics are light weight cotton or silk. On the other hand, if its winter then brocades and satin maybe used.
2. Get the necessary measurements of the body using the flexible tape measure. These measurements include the chest, bust, shoulder width hips and waist. Remember that the design of the kameez is a tunic like length; it is fitting in the upper body and below is a frock design or an A-line bottom.
3. Proceed with measuring the neckline circumference. Include the measurement of neck depth if your design is an embroidered neckline insert. Neck depth measurement can be obtained by placing the tape measure at the center of the front neck extending to your desired depth.
4. Measure the sleeve area. This can be done by placing the tape measure at the shoulder and extend going down to the wrist area. The elbow must be bent a little to get to the accurate measurement. Include also the elbow and wrist circumference. This can be done by positioning loosely the tape measure around the wrist and elbow area.
5. Next, obtain the desired length measurement of the kameez. Position the tape measure athigh pointshoulder near the neck. Just simply run down the tape measure up to the desired length of the kameez.
6. Draw the design of your kameez in a sketch pad. This deserves as your guide as you make your pattern. You may use different colors of colored pencils or markers to indicate the different fabric, color inserts, stitching and trims.
7. Copy the sketch on a pattern paper incorporating the different measurement you’ve obtained earlier. As you make your pattern, make sure to add ½ inch in every seam allowance. Also, add the necessary notches to align pattern before stitching.
8. Cut then the paper pattern with the use of your scissor. Do this neatly to have a clean pattern.
9. The pattern that you’ve cut out will be your guide will be your guide in cutting your fabric. Secure it in place with the use of your pins. See to it that the pins are properly secures so as not to ruin your kameez. Also, place the pins along the seam allowance so as not to create holes to your fabric.
10. Cut then the fabric following the shape of your pattern. If you plan to add embroidery details, make the embroidered panels first and separately before sewing for the final making.
11. With your sewing machine, sew the fabrics together. You must adjust the sewing machine tension and sewing needle according to the type of fabric you are using. The sewing machine may ruin your fabric if not adjusted properly.
12. Attach then the necessary zippers and other final touches to complete your kameez. Cut and clean some loose threads on the edges.
13. Try to fit the kameez and do the necessary adjustments to better the fit. Wash, dry and iron your kameez before wearing it.

Tip:

Make sure to get the accurate measurements of your body in order to make a well-fitting kameez. It is better that a friend of yours will be the one to take the measurement rather than doing it on your own, which is quite impossible.