Kids Shorts Tutorial Series Part I, The Basic Shorts

Welcome to the DIY Kids Shorts Mini-Series designed by Shauna Wightman of Shwin And Shwin: 1 Basic pattern, 2 alterations, 3 summer shorts.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 800 x 1200 - Basic Shorts

Summertime is the perfect time to make a wardrobe full of shorts. It’s easy to make several different styles of shorts by mixing up a few elements of the pattern. In this mini series I will show you how to take a basic shorts pattern, and create three different styles from it.

In Part I of this series we will cover how to sew a basic kids shorts, size 2T.

Materials:

DIY Kids Shorts Series - Basic Shorts

For the basic shorts (with pockets) cut out the basic shorts and pocket pieces from the pattern.

DIY Kids Shorts Series - Basic Shorts-Cut Out Pattern Pieces

Step 1

With right sides together, sew the pocket facing to the front shorts piece. Clip notches in the curve.

DIY Kids Shorts Series - Basic Shorts - attaching the pockets

Step 2

Turn the facing around to the backside and top stitch along the seam.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-Topstitch along the seam

Step 3

With right sides together sew the pocket facing to the pocket lining. Finish seam as desired.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-finished front pocket

Now you have a front pocket sewn. Repeat with the other side so you have two front pieces.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-Sew front and back

Step 4

With right sides together sew one front piece to one back piece along the side seam. Finish seam as desired. Repeat with other front and back pieces.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts - Backpocket Prep

Step 5

For the back pocket, sew a basting stitch along the curved edge. Repeat with other pocket.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-folding the edge

Step 6

Gather the basting stitch slightly while folding the edges of the pocket under. Gathering the will help you turn the curved edge under smoothly. Then fold the top edge under by ¼” twice and sew along the folded edge to secure the folds in place. Repeat with other pocket.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-Stitch Pecket in Place

Step 7

Stitch the pocket in place following the guide on the pattern for placement. Sew along the sides and bottom to secure. Repeat with other pocket.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800- Basic Shorts Attaching front and back pattern

Step 8

With right sides together, sew the front and back pieces together along the inseam. Sew from the crotch down the leg. Finish seams as desired. Repeat with other front and back piece.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-hemming

Step 9

Fold the bottom edge up to hem the shorts. Fold by ¼″ and then again by ½” and sew along the folded edge to secure. Repeat with other leg.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-two sides

Step 10

Now you should have two sides of the shorts.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-connecting the legs

Step 11

With the legs right sides together (one inside out and one right side out and then matched up together) sew from the center front down through the crotch and up the center back. Finish seam as desired. Top stitch seam if desired.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1000 x 800 - Basic Shorts-waistband

Step 12

For the waistband, match the right sides together and sew the two ends together. Repeat with other waistband.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-Attach the Waistband

Step 13

With right sides together, sew one waistband to the waist of the shorts, match the seam of the waistband to the center back seam of the shorts.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800- Basic Shorts-Pressing

Step 14

Press waistband and seam upward.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-Fold Edge of Waistband

Step 15

Take the second waistband and fold over the bottom edge by 3/8″

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800- Basic Shorts-Matching Waistbands

Step 16

With right sides together, match up the second waistband to the first waistband. You want the folded edge from the first waistband to run just along the seam line of the first waistband. Then sew along the top of the waistband to sew the two together.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-Press Second Waistband

Step 17

Press the second waistband and seam upward.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-Fold Top Waistband Piece

Step 18

Fold the top waistband piece down so the folded edge just covers the first seam line. Then sew along the folded edge leaving an opening in the center back.

DIY Kids Shorts Series 1200 x 800 - Basic Shorts-Slip Through Elastic

Step 19

Slip the elastic in through the opening and feed it through the waistband. Then sew the ends together, and close up the opening in the waistband.

DIY Kids Shorts Series - Basic Shorts Finished

Then you are finished with some basic shorts.

Next, we will take this basics shorts pattern and alter it to a few different styles. Tomorrow we will create curved shorts.

Kids Shorts Tutorial Series

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