Shorts, Shorts, Shorts

Again, another very easy tutorial. You're going to love it! The shorts are comfy and you can make them simple and fast for you and the kids.

For this shirt tutorial, click here

Materials needed:

1/2 yard of fabric

scraps for contrasting fabric (optional)

1" elastic

Pair of shorts for pattern

Like I've said before, I hate using patterns. For this tutorial, I grabbed a pair of shorts I liked the fit of and used those to make a pattern.

**The shorts in the picture above are the same pattern as this. I made the length a little longer instead of sewing on a cuff**

Now grab a pair of shorts you like the fit of and let's get started! 

Turn your shorts inside out and fold in half. With your fabric folded in half, trace out your shorts making sure to add enough room for seam allowances and adding a couple inches to the top for your elastic. Trace pattern out twice for the front and back.

If you want to add cuffs to your shorts, cut out 4 strips of fabric the same length as the leg of your shorts. 

  

  

I wanted to put a tie at the top of my shorts. It looks cute and hides the elastic band. Cut 2 long strips about 3" wide. Long enough from the center of your hip (where your side seam is) to the middle front with room to tie. Fold in half with right sides together and stitch the edge and to the front of the tie. Press your seams and turn right side out.

 

If you're using cuffs, you want to sew those onto the bottom of your shorts first. With the wrong side of the cuff to the right side of the shorts, pin and serge/stitch. If you don't have a serger, use a zig-zag stich. Press your seams.

Pairing up front and back pieces, put right sides together and pin along the outer side seams and along the side seam underneath the crotch. Serge/stitch and press your seams.

Now you should have 2 tubes. This part gets a little bit tricky...Put right sides together, so turn one tube right side out and keep the other wrong side out. Then put the right side out piece inside the wrong side out piece. Match up your seams and pin along the crotch and serge/stitch. Turn the shorts wrong side out and press the seam.

 Turn your shorts right side out and press your cuff up 1/4" to have a clean hem. Then turn your cuff up, pin and top stitch.

If you're not using a cuff, just hem the bottom of your shorts. Turn inside out and turn over 1/4" and press and then another 1/4", press, pin and stitch.

Turn your shorts inside out. We're now going to make the casing at the top of your shorts for the elastic. Turn over 1/4" and press, then turn over again allowing enough room for your elastic to fit through. Pin and sew, leaving enough room to get your elastic in.

Before we put the elastic into the casing, we'll attach the ties. Turn your shorts right side out. Pin the ties on the center of the side seam with the right side of the ties pulled towards the back of your shorts. Pin and zig-zag stitch in place.

Measure out the elastic for waist or hips, wherever your shorts will sit and subtract 1". Hook a safety pin to one end of your elastic and push through your casing. Overlap the ends of your elastic enough to stitch together and finish stitching your casing down.

Your shorts are done! Pair with a cute shirt and rock 'em!