How to Make Shorts (free kids pattern 5-14)

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You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial.  You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.I’m even providing a free PDF sewing pattern so it’s just a matter of cutting and sewing – you don’t need to make a template. These shorts are designed to be on the longer side – but can easily be shortened by folding up or cutting down the pattern.  With a comfortable no roll elastic waistband these shorts are sure to be a hit this summer.

For this project you will need the following:

3/4 yard of Jersey knit fabric ( tip – you can up cycle a t-shirt if it’s big enough! )

1 inch elastic in the correct length for the size:

  1. 26″ sizes 14
  2. 25″ size 12
  3. 24″ size 10
  4. 22″ size 8
  5. 20″ size 7
  6. 19″ size 6
  7. 18″ size 5

Jersey ballpoint needle 

Double jersey ball point needle (optional)

Sewing Essentials

You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

How to Make Shorts (free kids pattern 5-14) Instructions:

Step 1 – Assemble and cut out the FREE Shorts Sewing Pattern

Picture of items listed to make shorts. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.Assemble the free shorts sewing pattern. Instructions can be found here. Once the pattern is assembled, cut it down to size that you want to make it.

picture of shorts on the pattern. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.On doubled cloth cut out two of the shorts pattern.  Be sure to mark the back with a pin or a pen.

If you want to upcycle a T-shirt I want to show you a trick.

picture of shorts pattern on t-shirt for upcycling. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Fold the bottom of the pattern up and inch.  Then place the pattern at the bottom of the T-shirt ( where the finished edge is) and line it up. 

pattern getting cut from t-shirt. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Then cut out the pattern.  The nice part is if you do it this way – the bottom of the short is already finished!

Step 2 – Begin to Sew the Shorts

Now that it’s time to start making the shorts.

shorts cut out. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Flip the fabric so right sides are touching.

shorts cut from t- shirt showing right sides touching. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.Do this also if you’re making the T-shirt version. Make sure the the finished seams are touching.

sewing stitches fro first seams on shorts. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Using a 3/8 of a seam allowance sew the rise of the shorts.  I used an overlock stitch on my Machine, but a Zig Zag stitch will work.

competed rise seams. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Follow these same steps for the T-shirt shorts upcycle.

Step 3 – Sew the inner seam to the shorts

turn shorts so rise is in the front and back. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Take the shorts and fold them so the two seams you just sewed are touching (right sides touching).

inner seam placement and stitch line. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Sew the inside leg seam using 3/8 seam allowance and a stretch stitch. (Again over lock or Zig Zag)

akk seams sewn. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Follow the same steps for the T-shirt shorts.

Step 4 – Add the Elastic Waistband to the Shorts

length of elastic for shorts

Now it’s time to make the elastic waistband for the shorts.

elastic in a loop. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Fold the elastic band around so it forms a loop that over laps by and inch. Make sure there are NO twists in the loop.

where to sew elastic to make loop. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Sew down the edges on either edge using a zig zag stitch to make the loop secure.  

pin on each od the short sides at the waist. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

With the front and back seams of the shorts touching mark the sides of the shorts.

elastic and shorts waist divided into fourths. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Mark the elastic band into fourths with pins.  One at the front, back and each side.  The seams on the shorts serve as markers, so now the elastic and the shorts are marked evenly into fourths.

elastic and wiast pinned together at fourths. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Place the elastic around the shorts.  The elastic is smaller than the kids shorts top. Line up the markers.  With the elastic touching the WRONG side of the fabric, sew the elastic to the shorts using a stretch stitch.Pull the elastic taught so it is the same length as the fabric.  Continue to do this all the way around the shorts.

Eleastic sewn on. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Remember how I had you mark the back? 

placement of tag fro the back. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.You can place a little folded over ribbon to mark the back if you choose

Showing hoe band needs to be stretched to top stitch. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.  Fold the band over so you can’t see any elastic.  

show top stitch placement. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

We need to sew the band into place, pulling it taught using the same technique of pulling and sewing used above.

Shorts at machine getting elastic stitched into place. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

This time flip the shorts right side out and top stitch using a regular straight stitch along the edge of the elastic.

This entire process is the same for the T-shirt upcycle.

Step 5 – Finish Making the Shorts

Now if you’re making the T-shirt version – the good new is you’re finished! But if you’re making it from cloth we need to finish those ends.

shorts done except for bottom of legs. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

Turn under each leg 1 inch and sew using a zig zag or double needle.  For this tutorial I opted to use a zig zag and it looks great!

Finished shorts. You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

You can also leave the legs raw – or cuff them a tack them into place!

You can learn how to make shorts with this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Comes with a free PDF sewing pattern, with easy instructions.

GET THE FREE SEWING PATTERN BELOW:

Adobe reader is the ONLY reader I recommend. By downloading  you are agreeing to pattern terms of use. Fill out the form below to get the pattern!

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4 Comments

  1. I found this pattern after I tried another designers pattern and it was a disaster. I was hesitant to try again but I’m soooo glad I did! Your pattern sewed up perfectly and couldn’t have been easier! Looks wonderful on my daughter! Thank you so much for this pattern, I’ll be making her so many pairs now!

  2. I have never made shorts. This pattern with the instructions were amazing. I am sewing shorts for operation Christmas, through Samaritans purse. The short were a success.
    Thank you.

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