A pair of shorts is about the easiest thing to make. You can get creative and add a pocket to the sides or a ruffle for girls. Depending on how creative you get, but a simple pair can be made in about 30 minutes!
First you need a pattern. Any shorts pattern will do (there are lots of cheap patterns that are great!) or you can just lay a pair of shorts down and use them as your pattern, but for me I am using the "Michael" pattern by Children's Corner.
You may choose to finish the seams of the shorts many ways (serger, zigzag raw edge, french seam, or use pinking shears)
For the fast and easy pair of play shorts, I am just going to use pinking shears. These scissors create a special edge that has minimal fraying and you do not have to finish the edge with a zigzag stitch)
As you get more advanced, try to do a french seam. I need to post a "how to" on that I guess :)
First cut out the front and back pattern of the shorts. You will have 2 fronts and 2 backs that mirror each other.
Next place right sides of the fabric together and sew down the curved side seam of the front.
Now place right sides of the fabric together and sew down the curved side seam of the back.
You will now have a front and back part to your shorts and place them right sides together.
Sew down the right and and left side seams of the shorts.
Next sew the crotch (i hate that word).
You will need to use your iron next.
Iron about 1/4'' under around the bottom of the shorts and then about 1'' again. This will create the hem.
Now iron to create the casing for the elastic of the shorts by ironing 1/4'' and then about 1.25''
You should have it look something like this.
Top stitch around the edge of the hem.
Next top stitch around the waist to create the casing, leaving about 3'' opening for the elastic.
To create a more finished look topstitch along the edge of the casing at the top of the shorts.
Measure your little one's waist and subtract 2 inches for your elastic measurement. (EX. Mine was 20'', so I cut my elastic 18'' long)
Attach a safety pin, and thread the elastic through the casing.
Zigzag elastic ends together.
Now close the opening by topstitching!
Congratulations!!! PLEASE email me if you have any questions at jamaketcham@gmail.com
I need to make G some pants....this will help! I also need a pattern? where do I get that?
ReplyDeletei will try to remember and bring a pattern tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI just found this post through a Google search. Thanks so much for posting this! I'm borrowing my mother-in-law's sewing machine this weekend and have no clue what I'm doing--so I'll have this tutorial up the whole time, ha!
ReplyDeleteyou will do great! please email me if you have any questions!!
ReplyDeleteI LOOVE your tutorials!! I am planning on making a pair of lined gingham shorts for my son. If I were to do this would I make 2 separate pieces (like the shortalls) and then sew them together? When would I do this, trying to avoid excess bulk when hemming? Any tips would be great!
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance :))
To line some shorts you would definitely cut out 2 separate pieces. sew the gingham shorts together and then sew the lining together. you will have 2 pairs of shorts {minus the elastic and hem}. I think the easiest way is going to put the lining shorts into the gingham and just fold over both to creating the casing for the elastic. i haven't done this and it may be more bulky, but maybe not too bad. I would then just turn both under to do the hem too.
ReplyDeleteanother option if it turns out too bulk... cut the top of the lining around the waist 1'' shorter than the gingham and fold the gingham down over the lining to create a casing. then cut the lining 1'' shorter around the hem and fold the gingham up and hem.
and yet another option... you could hem the lining and then hem the gingham. They would be separate from each other... kind of like a boy swim suit, but longer lining. Then you could tack the lining hem to the gingham hem at the seams to keep it from riding up into the shorts {did that make sense}...
hope this helps in some way :)
I think I'll go with option #2, thanks so much for replying back! I'll let you know how they turn out :))
ReplyDeleteI am a beginner sewer and I find the pattern instructions a little challenging sometimes. I want to thank you for posting this project b/c I now understand what I need to do to correctly sew my child's shorts. Thanks again!!
ReplyDeleteI just finished my first project of making shorts. This website/post was very helpful. Thank you very much for your instructions.
ReplyDeleteOh love this, will give it a go! Was wanting to make some PJ shorts to match a top my son has!
ReplyDeleteJust made some of these for my son in around a 5T, this was my first time sewing clothing and thanks to this tutorial, they turned out wonderful! I'll be whipping up 3 more pairs tomorrow. Thank you!
ReplyDelete