I’m a shorts girl through and through.
But if you’ve been around these parts for long enough (or even just a few clicks) you’ll know that already. With Summer in full swing and hopefully a few vacation days on the horizon, chances are you’re trawling the net looking for a) a new holiday outfit orĀ b) inspiration for your next sewing project. Same same really. And whilst we’re not attempting to reinvent the wheel (or in these case the summer ensemble) here, these simple shorts – the second in the closet staples series – are sure to take you to the beach, bar or… the sofa. Pretty much anywhere worth going this summer. Promise!
They build on the scarf shorts that I made oh so long ago, but we’ve stepped it up by swapping the gathered waistband out for a clean edge and a zip at the back. Enjoy!
DIY Summer Shorts
Watch the super quick video below, and read on for more details
For the fabric, I used 1m (1.1 yards) of a yellow linen.
1
Grab a pair of shorts your size and fold them in half. We are going to use this as the pattern. Fold the fabric length wise and place the outside leg of the shorts on this fold.
2
Cut out around the shorts leaving a 2.5cm (1inch) margin for seam allowance and hem.
6
Sew the inside leg seam and the front crotch seam through to the back, leaving about 12.5cm (5 inch) of the back seam open where the zipper will go.
7
With the shorts turned inside out, lay the shorts flat on the table with the back seam facing up towards you.
8
Open the invisible zipper and match the zipper edge with the seam edge. Pin into place and sew in the groove close to the zipper teeth using the zipper foot attachment for the sewing machine. While you're at it, try the shorts on and see how they fit at the back, if they gape a little in the waistband, put some darts on each side.
9
Iron the shorts then fold the waist seam down 1.5cm and the hem up 1.5cm and sew to create a clean edge on the top and bottom.
If you want to mix this style up a bit, they would be great made in a simple black or white, or a warmer fabric for the between seasons. Enjoy!
Photos by Nicola Lemmon.
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I love these shorts! What an adorable summer DIY. Glad you shared š
These shorts are so cute and simple! I love the idea of making a few pairs in different colors to stock up this summer! (I have way too much scrap fabric!)
xx Annie
http://www.somethingswellblog.com/
Wow, they look incredible! I really like the ligth fabric you used for this, and they seem so easy to sew!
https://www.makeandmess.com
This is such a clever idea and I love how the shorts look! Great post lovely!
Ella xx
http://www.inellaselement.co.uk
I’m a shorts girl too, prefer them over anything. Love the color and texture of this!
xo Jessica
My Style Vita
Great these shorts! I love them!
xx
ani from ani hearts
ā„
Like the simplicity of it…. I am terrible at sewing but I might try this one š
http://www.thedailyweeklyblog.com
Yellow looks amazing on you! And I never would have known those were DIY if you hadn’t mentioned it.
http://www.dressupchowdown.com
I always admire your DIY’s I’d never be able to create something as amazing as yours and the shorts look like something you’d get in store! Especially like you said, shorts are an essential in summer, you can stay cool and even cartwheel with keep your dignity haha!
http://www.pagefromsbeth.blogspot.co.uk
Love your DIY clothing projects. Showing the simple side of sewing helps so much and shows how much you can really make for yourself.
http://www.throughmyowneyes.com
Always surprising. Loving the mustard yellow you’ve used to do it! I save it, because I love it and if I have time I will try.
http://www.emerjadesign.com
These shorts are so cute! X
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
You always make everything so simple š Love the fabric & color of these shorts!
Christina | http://www.cuddlepill.com
Super cute!
x
StephC
http://sstephcc.blogspot.com/
Love these shorts! Also love your hat, where is it from?
Those shorts are so nice! x
http://jessicawoods.fr/blog/
Great choice of colour too š
You are so talented! The shorts look beautiful.
Cheers to you.
T.
https://tbymallano.wordpress.com/
So cute!!! What a great DIY!
http://looklikeget.com
Great outfit! Love it x
Do take your time and check my new post out http://sherazmataz.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/done-with-first-year-of-university.html?m=1
Super cute!!
Soo beautiful!! Love your shorts!!
Xoxo,
Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
So cute! I just recently have gotten back into sewing and I am definitely inspired to keep going with this cute design š thanks xxx
I’m so impressed with this DIY, and I’m not usually a fashion DIY chic but this just looks like an expensive and fab piece, as well as comfy. Thanks for sharing.
Aisha King
http://www.luxedale.com
Great DIY. I know someone who likes to make their own unique things just like this. Thanks for the post.
Wow, surprisingly easy. It looks great on you. Nice choice of color.
Love! <3
Such a cute idea!
http://poshpossibilites.blogspot.com
Are these shorts the same pieces, front and back? Does it still work if you’ve got a big bum?
Can you show some pictures of how they fit at the waistline please?
No Pictures of the back? Not surprising though, since a well-fitting pair of shorts would never use the same pattern for a front and back. If you want to make shorts, just take the one extra step and get a pattern. You’ll probably get better instructions as well.
How did you finish your seams? I can’t tell on the photos. Thanks!
Sewing in invisible Zippers is a big thing and not as easy as it seems (but not as hard either!). So a small tutorial about this Topic would be the most helpful thing ever!
The Shorts look cute, and I like how you “make” your Patterns. Thanks and greetings from Austria!
š
Hi! I’m loving your shoes in this post!! Where are they from? Thanks! And I LOVE your blog by the way and the DIY’s make me so happy inside. Thanks for everything you’ve shown me š
superbe dƩmonstration.
Facile Ć rĆ©aliser
Merci
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