Get Summer Ready With This Easy Shorts Sewing Pattern Tutorial

Today’s project is an easy, beginner friendly tutorial on how to sew shorts with an elastic waist and slanted side pockets.

My easy shorts sewing pattern in nine sizes is available for free with a subscription to my mailing list or you can use any similar pattern and follow my detailed instructions.

So let’s begin!

Tools and materials:

• Shorts sewing pattern
• Paper for pattern
• Non-stretch cotton or cotton blend fabric
• 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide elastic
• Fabric marker
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Scissors
• Iron
• Safety pin
• Sewing machine
• Serger (optional)

1. Cut out the pattern pieces

Print out the pattern and cut out your size.

Place the pattern pieces on your fabric and cut two fronts and two backs, one waistband on the fold and two front and two back pocket pieces.

Transfer all the pattern markings to the fabric.

2. Insert the pockets

With the right sides together, pin one front pocket piece to each side seam of the front of the shorts. Line up the top and lower side edges, so the pocket openings are on an angle.

Sew the diagonal edges only.

Trim off the excess shorts fabric level with the seam allowances.

Press the seam allowance towards the shorts and press the seams flat on the right side.

Fold the pockets to the inside and top stitch the slanted edges close to the seam.

With the right sides facing, pin and sew the back pocket pieces to the front pockets along the curved edges. Do not sew the pockets to the shorts.

Use your serger to join the pieces or finish the raw edges with an overlock or zigzag stitch on your machine.

Pin and sew the top of the pockets to the top of the shorts, matching the raw edges.

3. Sew the side seams

Place a back section over each front section, with the right sides together.

Pin and sew them together at the side seams.

4. Sew the center seams

Place the two sections together, with the right sides facing.

Pin and sew the center front and back crotch seams.

Pin the two seams together at the crotch and pin the inside leg seams from the center outwards.

Sew the inside leg seams from one side to the other.

5. Elasticated waistband

Cut the elastic to the length of your waist measurement.

Fold the waistband in half widthways with the right sides together.

Place the elastic lengthwise along the center of the waistband, with one end lined up with the raw edges.

Fold the waistband over the elastic and pin the other end of the elastic on top.

Sew the ends of the waistband and elastic together.

Turn the waistband right side out and place the elastic inside it.

Pin the waistband together just below the elastic, without pinning through it.

Sew the waistband along the pin line, stretching the elastic and fabric as you sew.

Sew another row of stitches along the center of the elastic and a third row along the top edge, keeping the fabric taut as you sew.

6. Attach the waistband

Overlock the raw edges of the waistband together and press it flat.

Using pins as markers, divide the circumference of the waistband into four equal sections.

Turn the shorts wrong side out.

Attach each pin to one of the four seams on the inside of the shorts, with the right sides facing and lining up the overlocked edge of the waistband with the raw edge of the shorts.

Sew the waistband to the shorts, stretching it to fit between the pins.

Turn the shorts right side out and iron them.

7. Hem the shorts

Turn up a narrow double hem at the bottom of each leg and sew it in place.