They’re not a brand new design — I have a too-small pair of these pants that my daughter brought back from a trek to Nepal several years ago. But kudos to Cami-Made Patterns for offering it as one of their two pant patterns. Disclaimer: I am a “pattern tester” for Threads magazine’s Pattern Review section; which means they send me the pattern to make a muslin, identify any issues in the construction etc etc., and I get to keep the pattern. This is how it came to be in my possession.
The design is extremely easy to sew and make, and happiness inducing. There is one pattern piece for the legs, and they’re attached at the crotch seam – no side seam because you wrap them around yourself. Of course there’s a waistband to attach, and the narrow hems all around, and the ties. There are darts on the side waist locations which give it shape at the hip – nice. Wearing this pair does not require lifting your leg – just tie the front by wrapping around to the back, pick up the back through your legs, and wrap around to tie at the front waist.
So — let’s see how this pair can be customized for the best results, in my humble opinion.
The Mirage pants will fit almost everyone, and if you need to size up from their largest size, it’s a simple fix. Add to the four vertical edges, dividing the needed amount among them. Remember to add to the waistband as well.
The front and back of the pattern, and subsequently the straight-ish crotch shape, are exactly the same; if you would rather have a clearly identified front and back, then redo the crotch shape according to your preference. I did not reshape it and it worked for me.
The waistband: Each front/back has it’s own ties attached at each end, which means four tie strips total. The waistbands meet at the center front and the center back and tie up to close. Here’s where I made a change; the crotch length was too long for me — I mistakenly did not reduce it and ended up with the crotch seam down to my knees. No problem. I folded down the waist seam after sewing up the side darts, and got my “waistband”. Mind you, this is not a fitted crotch shape; it has more ease than usual to give it the right drape. Lesson learned for next time.
When wearing, each front/back wraps around the other front-back and meets at the center back and center front with a tie closure. I realized that with my drapey but substantial double-sided linen, I needed to leave a gap for the large knot that forms at the closure (my ties are wider than those in the pattern). You can use grosgrain ribbon if you wish, but ribbons are slippery and tend to come open — a malfunction for the ages. To create a gap for my thick ties to sit, I did not want to cut away a strip from the lengthwise edges; instead I folded back the tie/waistband for a couple of inches and stitched it down. Another lesson for the next version.
For the next version: I’m thinking of buttons and buttonholes instead of ties. What do you say?
Back to the crotch seam: stabilize it! Below, you can see a strip of fusible, a second stitching line and serge-finishing.
This pant can be as versatile as you want! Use soft rayon or linen for lounging or zoom calls where people will see all of you. Make in a lightweight fabric for breaking lock-down and going to the beach. How about going all out and using transparent organza for the current see-through look?
A word of caution: a breeze may or may not cause a malfunction, which is fine at the beach; in fact you may want that at the beach. One note: the pant front flaps have a lovely way of flapping slightly when you walk in them – just be careful of a strong breeze.
Be safe and be healthy, friends. Much love to all of you.
Samina
Sew Everything Blog 
Thanks for the review Samina! And good morning! They look great with the sandals. These would be great pants for our summers here. I think the buttons are a good idea, espeically for the front panel (that connects in the back), maybe as a permanent change. How do the ties feel in the back waist?
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Hi Kasey! I’m thinking the next version should be buttons for both back and front. I’m planning a top with it that covers my waist so the ties are a moot point anyway. For those who are tucking in the top, the tied closures looks really cute. Since the back waist is a concave curve for me, the ties sit in there and feel fine. It’s my front tummy issue where the ties are not attractive — so it’s buttons for both front and back.
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That is what I was curious about: I think the pants would be more practical with a button, velcro tab, etc. in the back. These strike me as good travel pants, as they are quite adjustable (my waist changes a lot, particularly when traveling). I’m wondering, too, if there are design options for this type of pant to limit the UN-wrap possibility.
Thanks, Samina!
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Hi Joan! The unwrapping could be controlled by adding a hidden buttonhole somewhere behind the ties, or maybe a hook and eye (the broad ones we use for pant waistbands). In my experience, velcro comes apart with movement. For eliminating the fly-away factor, a small hook and eye or button could be attached halfway down the leg. But that’s no fun 🙂
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Hi Samina,
You might try a coat hook and eye at the back waist. If you really want to prevent fly away you could sew a little pocket at each hem corner and insert a curtain weight (or quarter) which can be removed for laundering.
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A hem weight is a great idea! Good to hear from you, Helen!
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I have been both intrigued and puzzled by wrap pant patterns. Since I’m not a “tucker” either I didn’t think they would suit me, but buttons could work. They look cool and flowing. I’m interested to see what style of top you will wear with it
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They are cool and flowing as I’m wearing them this minute. Working on the top to go with this 🙂
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I had a similar pattern in the 60’s and loved it. Of course I was a 0 size! I made it in a gauze, a silky and heavy cotton with a nice drape. It was an easy wear but I had great difficulty using the public bathroom with out dragging the whole thing on the floor. I purchased the same used vintage pattern a few years ago but have not made it up. It would be fun to revisit my youth but also know that my body edges are a little different now that I’m in my mid 70’s. Thank you on the suggestions on how to add extra width, I have the fabric that just might work!
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Hi Linda! So good to hear from you. It goes to show that nothing is new in fashion and clothing. As I’m wearing these pants all day today, I’ve realized the bathroom issue is too real. Maybe I’ll address that in another blog post 🙂 . The bathroom conundrum also makes it unsuitable for travel — especially air travel.
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I think we undid the front, then wadded it up, slipped the skirt through the legs to the back and over the shoulders. Or the other way over the face! Not very ladylike 🤭. I think at this point in my life I’ll wear it at home
The pattern I bought second hand is Simplicity with the cost of 75 cents. It’s the same photo on the front as my original one
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Those would be cool and comfortable in the breeze, I love them. They look very classy!
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