Sew your own shorts!!

So I decided to try and sew my very own shorts and the best video reference I found was: DIY Shorts

Check out the video! Below I explain (with pictures!!) the steps! 

Step 1. In order to make your own pattern for shorts, grab your existing shorts and trace 1 inch around the sides. Trace 1.5 inch around the waist, and trace around the bottom of your shorts a little longer than your desired shorts length. 

Step 2. Make sure you have enough fabric to fit two of these templates on fold.

Step 3. You should have two cut out fabrics like this on fold. (Meaning there are 2 layers of fabric) Make sure that the two pieces of fabric are separate. 

Step 4. My fabric was a little sheer, so I'm using another fabric as lining. Cut the lining so it's the same size as your patterned fabric. If you're fabric doesn't need lining, go ahead and skip this step and step 5 and 6. 

Step 5. When putting together your fabric again, make sure that your patterned fabric is the 1st layer, then 1 lining fabric as the 2nd layer, the 2nd lining fabric as the 3rd layer, and our other patterned fabric as your 4th layer. You should have a sandwich where the lining pieces are in the middle. 

Step 6. You should do the lining for both fabric pieces. 

Step 7. Go ahead and sew the side with the curve as shown above with red dotted lines

Step 8. Place the two fabric together making sure the patterned sides are facing each other. (Like a fabric sandwich, the two patterned fabrics are the meat and cheese, and the lining fabrics are the top and bottom bun) Sew the little V shape as shown above in red dotted line. 

Step 9. Go ahead and sew the sides marked by the red lines. 

Step 10. I am using a straight stitch for the V and the sides 

Step 11. Sew your elastic band. Make sure you stretch out the elastic as you go to avoid having bumps. I used a zig zag stitch to have the elastic be tightly secured in place.  I used the elastic that came with this fabric when I took a part my dress but if you are buying elastic and sewing it on, watch this helpful video from one of my favourite youtubers Secretlifeofabionerd: How to sew elastic

Step 12. Try on your shorts and find the desired length you want. Go ahead and hem. I used a zigzag stitch. (This is much stronger than a straight stitch) 

Step 12. I also took it one step further and added pockets. These shorts don't really have a proper front and back, so it didn't really matter which side I sewed the pockets on. I could wear the shorts with the pockets at the front, or the pockets at the back. When sewing pockets, make sure you are only sewing the sides and the bottom, never the top, because then you would have fake pockets. 

Give your shorts a good iron once you have cut all the strings hanging loose. 

AND VOILA! You have your very own shorts! 

(Ignore my very sun deprived dry knees)