I've designed a sewing pattern for women's shorts with an elasticated waist, made to fit hip sizes from 34 to 48 inches—and I'm excited to share it with you all!
You can whip up these shorts in just 30 minutes—it’s really that simple!
I’ve made the pattern super easy to print at home on A4 or letter-sized papers.
Click the link below to browse all the free PDF sewing patterns for women:
Click the link below to browse all the free PDF sewing patterns for kids:
Click the link below to see the complete list of Free PDF Sewing Patterns for 18-Inch Dolls:
Download link for the shorts pattern
Women's shorts with elasticated waist free PDF sewing pattern---A4 size pattern pages
Pattern Assembly:
Use the below diagram as a guide to assemble the pattern pages printed on A4- or US letter-size papers.
Select the correct size according to your hip circumference measurement.
How to Print?
Print the pages on A4-size or US letter-size papers. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern.
Do not select the "Custom scale" option or the "Choose paper size by PDF page size" option.
Print Page 1 first. Measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in this page to check whether the page has printed correctly.
Check this tutorial on how to print and assemble the PDF pattern pages.
You can make the shorts longer or shorter by simply adding or trimming a few inches at the leg hem.
Seam and Hem allowances:
Seam and hem allowances are already included in the pattern. These are:
1 3/4 inches at the waist to make the casing for the elastic.
1/2 inch for the side seams.
3/8 inch for the crotch seam and inside leg seam (inseam).
1 1/2 inches for the bottom hem allowance.
Supplies:
1. Fabric
2. Measuring tape
3. Matching thread
4. Elastic Width: 1 inch wide; Elastic Length: Measure your waist circumference and subtract 1 inch for a standard fit, or 2 inches if you prefer the waistband to fit more snugly.
5. Sewing machine
6. Scissors
7. Safety pin
8. Sewing pins
9. Fabric marker or pencil
10. Serger (optional)
After printing and assembling the pattern pages, trace the shorts front and back patterns on a tracing paper, and use these traced patterns to cut the patterns out from fabric.
Now, as we have our patterns cut out from fabric, let's start sewing the shorts.
How to sew?
1. Join the sides.
Serge the side, crotch, and inseam and side seam edges of each pattern piece of the shorts.
With right sides of the front and back fabric pieces facing, join the sides of the shorts.
Open the seams and press them flat.
2. Sew the center seam (crotch seam).
With right sides facing, sew the center seam or crotch seam of the front together. Stop at the bottom of the crotch seam and leave the leg part open. Repeat this step for the back as well.
3. Sew the leg seam (inseam).
Join the leg seam (inseam).
Before joining the leg seams, open the crotch seams and press them flat. Make sure that the lower edge of the crotch seam remains flat while you sew the leg seam.
4. Finish the hemline of the shorts.
Fold the leg hemline 1/2 inch down the wrong side and press.
Then fold again 1 inch down the wrong side and press.
Sew along the folded edge.
Repeat the same steps for the other leg.
5. Finish the elastic waist.
Fold the waistline 1/2 inch to the wrong side and press.
Then fold again 1 1/4 inch and press. Sew along the lower edge of the fold to create the casing for the elastic.
At the center back of the shorts, leave a gap of 2 inches in the casing to insert the elastic.
Take a 1-inch-wide elastic with length equal to the waist round of the body measurement minus 1 inch or 2 inches, according to the fit you prefer. I have marked this length on the elastic.
Pin a safety pin on one end of the elastic, and feed the elastic through the casing you just created.
Scrunch the casing to bring the elastic from the other side. When you back at the starting point, cut the elastic at the marking.
Match up the ends of the elastic, overlap the ends by about 1/2 inch, and sew them together using two or three rows of zigzag stitches.
While closing the casing, insert a piece of ribbon or a tag at the center back and sew the gap closed, as it will help identify the back of the shorts.
And we are done!
You have made yourself a new pair of comfy shorts!
You can find the step-by-step sewing tutorial with pictures here.
For your convenience, I’ve grouped my blog posts into the sections below—hope you find them helpful!
You’ll also find these links at the top of my blog in the navigation bar.
Happy sewing!
---Flora
