How to Sew Boys Underwear

It is possible to use an old T-shirt to make boys boxer briefs.

If your little boy, nephew or grandson has an old T-shirt that he does not use anymore, you can breathe new life into this old garment. You can transform an old T-shirt into boys boxer briefs. A character T-shirt can be a creative way to get a unique and one-of-a-kind underwear for the little boy in your life. It is helpful to have basic sewing skills to complete this project.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 yard total of old T-shirts
• Boxer brief pattern
• Scissors
• Fabric marker
• Iron
• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine
• Stretch, knit or ballpoint sewing machine needle
• Fabric tape measure
• 1/2 yard of 1 1/4 inch braided elastic

Instructions

1. Position the boxer brief or underwear patterns on the T-shirt. Place the patterns where you would like any patterns or images on the T-shirt to appear. You will need half a yard of T-shirts to make a boys size 5/6 underwear. For each additional size, you will need about another half inch of fabric. Most shirts are made without side seams. This makes it easier to cut on the side and not worry about an unwanted seam.

2. Cut off the sleeves and lower the hems of the shirt along the inside of the stitching. Mark the pieces with a fabric marker so you do not mix up the leg pieces.

3. Line up the middle front section with the middle back piece. Put the rest of the pieces in order with the right side up. Press the seams down with a hot iron.

4. Top stitch on either side of the seam, which keeps the seam allowance in place for additional comfort. Top stitch on either side of the seam. This is both decorative and also keeps the seam allowance in place for more comfort when wearing.

5. Grab one of the strips you trimmed from the sleeves and hems. Cut the length to coordinate with the bottom half of the leg section.

6. Open up the cloth strip and fit the lower edge of the leg inside the binding. Pin into place.

7. Make a top stitch near the raw edge of the binding. Flip the section around and add a top stitch near the lower edge. Fold the leg section in half, matching up the inside seams. Sew the seam allowance using top stitching on both sides. Do this with the other leg.

8. Flip the leg right side up. With the right sides together, match up the upper and lower edges. Pin and sew together with top stitching on both sides. Do this for the other leg.

9. Trim a piece of elastic the length of the top opening of the underwear. Add an extra inch.

10. Fold over the end of the elastic by 1 inch. Sew the elastic onto the top opening of the briefs with a top stitch. Reinforce the elastic by stitching over two or three times. Cut off any excess elastic.

References

• Sew A Straight Line: Little Boxer Briefs