There’s something satisfying about sewing a matching coord set. Not only do you end up with two versatile wardrobe pieces, but you also gain endless styling possibilities by wearing them together or mixing them with other garments. Coord sets are a rewarding project for sewists who want to create a polished, handmade outfit that looks effortlessly coordinated.
The Winslet's Harper Coord Set combines the Harper Cropped Waistcoat with the Harper High-Waisted Shorts to create a modern, timeless outfit. Designed for confident beginners and beyond, the pattern offers clean lines, practical construction techniques, and a flattering fit that makes it enjoyable to sew and wear.
Why Sew a Crop Top & Shorts Coord Set?
- Create a complete matching outfit from a single sewing project.
- Wear both pieces together or style each garment separately for different looks.
- Learn practical garment construction techniques including darts, facings, waistbands, pockets, button closures, and fly construction.
- Build confidence by sewing garments that complement each other perfectly.
- Create a timeless outfit suitable for casual outings, vacations, brunches, and everyday wear.
Why Choose the Winslet's Crop Top & Shorts Coord Pattern?
- Skill Level: Very Easy (Waistcoat) and Intermediate (Shorts).
- Includes two coordinating garments—a sleeveless cropped waistcoat with a front button closure and high-waisted shorts featuring side and back pockets.
- Designed so both garments can be worn together or separately with other wardrobe staples.
- Available Sizes: US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
Harper Cropped Waistcoat
The sewing guide recommends:
- Tape measure
- Shears
- Iron
- Sewing machine
- Sewing needles
- Pins
- Chalk
- Thread cutter
- 3-ply polyester thread
- Buttons
- Fusible interfacing
Harper High-Waisted Shorts
The sewing guide recommends:
- Tape measure
- Shears
- Iron
- Sewing machine
- Sewing needles
- Pins
- Chalk
- Thread cutter
- 3-ply polyester thread
- 2" wide elastic band
- Buttons
- Zipper
- Fusible interfacing
Fabric Recommendations
Both garments are designed for medium-weight woven fabrics.
Recommended fabrics include:
- Medium-weight linen
- Velvet
- Cotton
- Viscose blend fabrics
The sample garments shown in the sewing guides are sewn in linen fabric.
The guides recommend linen because:
- It is easy to sew, making it beginner friendly.
- It is ideal for lightweight summer clothing.
Size Charts
Check the size charts and measure yourself to select the correct size, using the garment and body measurement tables in the guide.
Verify how much fabric you need by referencing the fabric yield table in the guide.
Pattern Inventory: What Pieces to Prepare
Harper Cropped Waistcoat
Prepare the following pieces:
- Left Front — Cut 2 Fabric
- Left Center Front — Cut 2 Fabric
- Right Center Front — Cut 2 Fabric
- Right Front — Cut 2 Fabric
- Left Side Back — Cut 2 Fabric
- Center Back — Cut 2 Fabric
- Right Side Back — Cut 2 Fabric
Harper High-Waisted Shorts
Prepare the following pieces:
- Front Leg — Cut 2 Fabric
- Back Leg — Cut 2 Fabric
- Side Pocket — Cut 2 Fabric
- Side Full Pocket Cover — Cut 2
- Back Pocket — Cut 2 Fabric
- Fly Cover — Cut 1 (used as a guideline for creating the fly stitch line)
- Back Waistband — Cut 1 Fabric
Pattern Marking
The Harper Coord Set includes clearly marked construction guides to help align each garment accurately.
Harper Cropped Waistcoat
The waistcoat pattern includes markings for:
- Center front
- Placket
- Button guide markings
- Armholes
- Bust apex notches
- Underbust notches
- Side seams
- Side back notches
- Grainlines
- Hem
Harper High-Waisted Shorts
The shorts pattern includes markings for:
- Waistline
- Fly and fly center line
- Front and back crotch
- Front and back inseams
- Side seams
- Side pocket opening
- Back pocket guideline
- Front waistband
- Back waistband
- Elastic stitch line
- Center back notch
- Leg side seam notches
- Grainlines
- Hemlines
Cutting Layout
Harper Cropped Waistcoat
Harper High-Waisted Shorts
Separate cutting layouts are provided for both garments using 45" and 60" wide fabric.
The guides recommend:
- Following the layout diagrams to keep every pattern piece on grain.
- Pinning pattern pieces securely before cutting.
- Using additional fabric when working with directional prints or fabrics with nap.
- Referring to the illustrated layouts for your chosen fabric width.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Before cutting your fabric, arrange all pattern pieces according to the layout diagrams with the grainline parallel to the selvage.
After positioning the pieces:
- Cut carefully along the pattern outlines.
- Clip all notches accurately.
- Transfer all pattern markings, including circles, buttonholes, fold lines, and center-front markings, to the wrong side of the fabric to ensure accurate assembly.
Seam Allowance
Please follow the seam allowances as indicated on the pattern file layers. These are provided specifically for each piece to ensure accurate construction.
This pattern uses a 1 cm (3/8") seam allowance.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Harper Cropped Waistcoat
Step 1: Sew the Front and Back Panels
1a. Join the front panels
Place the left front and left center front pieces with right sides together.
Sew along the princess seamline.
Repeat the same process for the right front and right center front pieces.
1b. Join the back panels
Place the left side back and center back pieces with right sides together.
Sew along the princess seamline.
Repeat the same process for the right side back and center back pieces.
1c. Press the seams
Press all princess seam allowances open with an iron for a smooth finish.
Step 2: Assemble the Outer Waistcoat and Lining
2a. Sew the shoulder seams
Place the completed front and back pieces with right sides together.
Align the shoulder seams and sew them together.
Repeat the same process for the lining pieces.
2b. Sew the side seams
With right sides together, sew both side seams of the outer waistcoat.
Repeat for the lining.
Step 3: Join the Outer Waistcoat and Lining
3a. Layer the pieces
Place the outer waistcoat and the lining with right sides together.
Align the center front, neckline, armholes, and hem, then pin the layers together.
3b. Sew around the edges
Sew around the center front edges, neckline, armholes, and bottom hem, leaving the side seams open for turning.
3c. Turn and press
Turn the waistcoat right side out through the open side seam.
Carefully shape the corners and curved edges, then press the garment flat with an iron.
Step 4: Assemble the Waistcoat
Turn the prepared front and back pieces right side out.
Place the prepared left front bodice on the left side of the prepared back bodice with the right sides of the main fabric facing together. Align the shoulder seam and side seam, then stitch them together.
4a. Repeat for the right side
Repeat the same process for the right front bodice, sewing the shoulder and side seams.
Step 5: Attach the Buttons and Make the Buttonholes
5a. Sew the buttons
Turn the waistcoat with the main fabric facing out.
Position the buttons on the left front bodice using the button guide markings and secure them with pins.
To attach each button:
i. Push the threaded hand-sewing needle up through the fabric and one hole of the button. Pull the thread through completely.
ii. Push the needle down through the opposite hole and back through the fabric. Repeat this process twice, then continue sewing through the opposing holes until the button is securely attached.
iii. Wrap the thread six times around the thread between the button and the fabric to reinforce the button shank. Pass the needle back through the fabric, make several reinforcing stitches on the wrong side, tie off the thread, and trim the excess.
5b. Make the buttonholes
Mark the buttonhole positions on the left front bodice center front, ensuring each buttonhole aligns with its corresponding button.
Using a buttonhole presser foot, sew buttonholes that match the size of your buttons.
Alternatively, sew rectangular buttonholes using a zigzag stitch. Carefully cut open the center of each buttonhole with a thread cutter.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Harper High-Waisted Shorts
Step 1: Attach the Side Pockets
1a. Sew the pocket opening
Place a side pocket piece on the front leg with right sides together, matching the pocket opening.
Sew from one end of the pocket opening to the other. Clip the inside corner of the pocket, then turn the pocket toward the wrong side of the front leg.
1b. Attach the pocket cover
Place the side full pocket cover on the stitched pocket with right sides together.
Align the pocket edges and sew around the pocket seam. Be careful to stitch only the pocket pieces and not the front leg. Repeat the same process for the second pocket.
Step 2: Prepare the Front Fly Back Cover
Cut two 7" × 5" fabric pieces, incorporating the fly curve at the bottom while cutting.
Place the pieces with right sides together and sew three sides, leaving one long edge open.
Turn the fly back cover right side out through the open edge to create a neat finish.
You may use fusible interfacing on both the front fly back cover pieces and the fly marking pieces for additional stability.
Step 3: Create the Fly Front
3a. Sew the front crotch
Place both front leg pieces with right sides together.
Sew the front crotch seam.
3b. Baste the fly
Sew along the fly center line using basting stitches.
3c. Attach the zipper
Spread the fly open with the right side facing out and press it flat.
Place the right side of the zipper on the left fly next to the seamline. Sew only the zipper tape that is away from the seamline.
3d. Secure the fly edges
Spread the right fly open, press it, and sew along the zipper tape edges to secure it.
Turn the left fly, press it, and sew along the same zipper tape edges to secure it.
3e. Position the fly
Flip the right fly over the zipper and pin it in place.
3f. Topstitch the fly
Open both front leg pieces and align the fly.
Topstitch on the right side to secure the second zipper tape beneath it.
3g. Remove the basting stitches
Carefully remove the basting stitches from the fly center line.
3h. Position the fly back cover
Turn the front leg pieces to the wrong side.
Place the prepared front fly back cover over the fly, aligning its open edge with the left fly.
3i. Sew the fly back cover
Sew the fly back cover using the same stitch line as the left fly.
Step 4: Prepare and Attach the Back Pockets
4a. Apply the interfacing
Cut fusible interfacing for the back pocket flap without seam allowance and for the opening seam allowance of each back pocket.
Iron the adhesive side of the interfacing onto the wrong side of the pocket pieces.
4b. Fold the pocket opening
Fold the top opening of each back pocket twice. The second fold should be on the seam allowance.
4c. Finish the pocket opening
Sew along the folded edge to finish the top of the pocket.
4d. Press the remaining edges
Fold and press the remaining seam allowances of each pocket toward the wrong side. Repeat for both pockets.
4e. Attach the pockets
Use the leg pattern as a guide to mark the pocket placement on each back leg.
Position the prepared pocket on the markings and secure it by topstitching along both sides and the bottom edge.
Repeat for the second back pocket.
Step 5: Sew the Back Crotch
Place both back leg pieces with right sides together.
Align the back crotch curves and sew along the crotch seamline.
Step 6: Join the Front and Back Legs
Place each back leg on its matching front leg with right sides together.
Align the inseams and side seams, then sew along both seamlines.
Step 7: Finish the Front Waistband
Fold the seam allowances of the front top waistband on both sides and press them with an iron.
7a. Sew the waistband
Fold the waistband down along the waistline and sew along the edge to finish the front waistband.
Step 8: Prepare and Attach the Back Waistband
8a. Cut the elastic
Cut the elastic to the required length according to your size:
- XS – 13.5"
- S – 15.5"
- M – 17.5"
- L – 19.5"
- XL – 21.5"
- XXL – 23.5"
- XXXL – 25.5"
8b. Prepare the waistband
Fold the back waistband in half with the short edges together and the right sides facing in. Press with an iron.
8c. Fold the seam allowances
Fold the seam allowance of both open long edges toward the wrong side and press.
8d. Join the front and back waistbands
Insert the front waistband into the prepared back waistband so the front waistband is enclosed inside.
Align one edge of the front side waistband with the short edge of the back waistband and sew along the seamline.
Repeat the same process for the opposite side.
8e. Insert the elastic
Turn the waistband right side out.
Insert the elastic into the waistband and align both elastic ends with the edges of the front waistbands.
Sew along the short edges of the back waistband to secure the elastic in place.
8f. Attach the back waistband
Match the center back notch and side seam notches of the back waistband with those on the shorts.
Align the bottom edge of the back waistband with the waistline so the shorts are enclosed between the waistband layers.
Sew along the bottom edge of the back waistband, stretching the elastic as you sew.
8g. Attach the front waistband
Match the center back notch and side seam notches of the waistband with the corresponding notches on the shorts.
Align the bottom edge of the waistband with the waistline so the shorts are enclosed between the waistband layers, then sew along the bottom edge to complete the waistband attachment.
Step 9: Finish the Hem
9a. Sew the hem
Fold each hem toward the wrong side along the hemline.
Sew around the hem and repeat for the second leg.
9b. Secure the folded hem
Fold the prepared hem once more toward the right side along the second hemline.
At both side seams, sew from the top edge to the bottom edge of the folded hem to secure it.
Repeat the same process for the other leg.
Step 10: Attach the Buttons to the Fly Cover
Mark the button placement on the upper fly cover using the pattern guideline or your preferred placement.
Position the button on the right side of the front fly and secure it with a pin.
To sew each button:
i. Push the threaded hand-sewing needle up through the fabric and one hole of the button.
ii. Push the needle down through the opposite hole and pull the thread through. Repeat twice, then continue sewing through the remaining pair of holes until the button is secure.
iii. Wrap the thread around the stitches beneath the button six times to form a shank. Push the needle through the fabric again, make several securing stitches, tie off the thread, and trim the excess.
Create a buttonhole on the left fly for the top button only. The remaining two buttons are decorative and do not require buttonholes.
Ready to Sew Your Own Crop Top & Shorts Coord Set?
The Harper Coord Set is a versatile project that gives you two timeless wardrobe staples in one pattern. With its structured cropped waistcoat and classic high-waisted shorts, you'll build useful garment-making skills while creating an outfit you'll reach for again and again.
Whether you wear the pieces together as a coordinated set or mix them with other handmade garments, this pattern offers plenty of styling options. Download the Harper Coord Set sewing pattern and enjoy creating a polished handmade outfit from start to finish.
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Browse our Coord Set Sewing Pattern Collection for more stylish matching outfits that can be sewn, worn together, or mixed with your handmade wardrobe.
Join the Community & Get Support
Share your finished Harper Coord Set on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
