How To Make Boy Shorts

Sewing is an excellent way to save money for a family on a budget, especially when kids are growing out of clothes faster than they can be purchased. A great project to start with are boy's shorts, as there is minimal hemming and pinning, and the end result is quite useful.

Things You'll Need

• Pattern (Kwik Sew is ideal for beginners)
• Thin Interfacing (roughly 2 yards)
• Fabric
• Disappearing Ink Pen
• Scissors
• Thread
• Pins
• Iron and Ironing Board
• Sewing Machine
• Elastic for waste band

Instructions

Cutting

1. 

   Place the pattern on a hard surface and pin the interfacing over the top.

2. 

   Trace the desired size and details of the shorts onto the interfacing using a pen. Avoid using a pen that could leak through the interfacing onto the pattern.

3. Write the specific details of the pattern onto the interfacing including the view, size, piece and how many to cut.

4. 

   Unpin the interfacing and cut out the traced pieces.

5. 

   Fold up the pattern and place it back into the envelope.

6. 

   Place the fabric on the solid surface and pin the interfacing pieces on top. Make sure to place the interfacing pieces in the right direction (for instance, if the pattern specified a certain direction for the fabric grain).

7. 

   Cut the fabric out using the interfacing as a guide. If the pattern included any marks, use a disappearing ink pen to mark them onto the fabric.

Sewing

1. 

   Place the two front pieces together with the right sides facing inward and stitch the center seam. Repeat this step with the two back pieces.

2. 

   Combine the front and back pieces with the right sides facing each other and stitch them together.

3. 

   Overcast the top edge of the shorts and fold the waste down to create the space for the elastic. Press the casing for easier sewing.

4. Overlap the elastic and stitch together.

5. 

   Place the elastic under the casing with the top edge of the elastic along the crease. Using a zipper foot, stitch close to the edge of the elastic while pulling the elastic to fit inside the casing.

6. 

   Overcast the bottom edge of the shorts. Fold and press at 1 inch to create the bottom hem. Stitch close to the edges of the hem.

Tips & Warnings

• If using a 100% cotton fabric, be sure to pre-wash to ensure the material has been pre-shrunk.

Resources

• Kwik Sew Patterns