Summer is the perfect time for light, revealing clothing. If you know how to sew shorts, you can add a new stylish item to your wardrobe. Sewing requires patterns, suitable fabric, and tools. The process is simple, so even novice craftswomen can handle the job.
Selection of material
Any materials are welcome, but beginners are advised to choose fabrics that fray less at the edges, are easy to stitch, and are inexpensive. Suitable options include:
- viscose;
- acetate;
- cotton;
- knitwear.
If the first attempt fails, the losses will be small. In the process of training, you can gain useful experience and use more expensive canvases in the future.
The colors are selected depending on where and with what the item will be worn. Individual features of the figure must be taken into account. Owners of curvy shapes should choose plain fabrics for the summer, while thin girls will suit products with prints, as well as combinations of materials. Before starting work, you need to prepare the tools:
- scissors;
- graph paper;
- pencil;
- measuring tape;
- needles;
- threads of a suitable color;
- iron.
Decorative elements can be selected at will: buttons, braid, lace, beads. Beginner craftswomen are not recommended to take on complex drawings and styles. It is better to stop at a basic product that will not cause great difficulties.
Floral and striped prints are in trend, as are bright colours: coral, purple, yellow.
Measurements and calculations
To ensure that the shorts fit perfectly on the figure, it is necessary to make an accurate pattern. To create it, the following measurements will be required:
- waist circumference, at the narrowest point;
- hip circumference, at the most prominent points;
- estimated length of the product;
- side seam length;
- landing height.
Measurements are taken using a measuring tape. The model should take a natural position, stand up straight, and straighten her shoulders. There should be no bulky clothing on the body, as this may affect the accuracy of the data obtained. Do not deliberately suck in your stomach to appear slimmer, otherwise the shorts will be tight and uncomfortable.
The measurements obtained are recorded. For ease of working with the pattern, special designations are used:
- O - girths.
- D — length.
- G - depth.
- B is the height.
- R — height.
Depending on the style, approximately 2–5 cm is added to each measurement for seams and free fit. For example, to sew classic women's shorts from thick fabric, it is necessary to leave an additional 5 cm on each side of all pattern elements.
Basic pattern making and modeling for beginners
After the measurements are taken, a pattern is created. You can find a suitable option online, and then model it based on your own size. Beginners should use the step-by-step instructions:
- The length of the future model is set.
- The step seams of each element are adjusted to the pattern.
- Lapels are created with a width of 3.5 cm.
- The waist line is formed. For comfortable wearing, the height at the back will be slightly higher than at the front.
- There is space at the back for sewing on a valve.
- A flap is built that will be folded over and used as an allowance.
- In the front part, a place is created for a zipper with a width of 3 cm and a length of about 15 cm.
- Entrances to the pockets are outlined.
- The belt is made with a fold + 3 cm allowance for the button. The length should match the waist circumference.
Shorts with elastic bands are an ideal option for beginners. The patterns of the product include only two elements, and when cutting - four: 2 front and 2 back parts. When processing the upper edge on a sewing machine, an allowance of 1 cm is made. If an overlock is used, the addition should be equal to the width of the stitch. For the hem at the bottom, another 2-4 cm of fabric is required. For models with a sewn-on facing, an allowance of 1 cm is made, for one-piece ones - 4 cm.
The finished template must be adapted to your dimensions. To do this, the width of the product is increased or decreased, the length and depth of the fit are adjusted.
Easy way to sew without a pattern
Before you sew shorts with your own hands, you need to decide on the style. There are a variety of models: classic, elongated, short, loose or tight-fitting. Beautiful stylish products can be made without a pattern.
From jeans
There are always unnecessary jeans in a woman's wardrobe. Original shorts can be created from them without much effort. For work you will need scissors, adhesive tape, an iron, sewing accessories. The instructions will help you figure out how to sew shorts with cuffs:
- First of all, the desired length is determined. It is necessary to put on jeans and mark the cut line.
- The trousers are cut off with a 5 cm allowance.
- The edges are folded twice to form beautiful lapels.
- The edges are hemmed with several stitches along the lines of the internal and side seams.
- Adhesive tape is applied to the edges and carefully ironed at a high temperature.
In such a simple way, you can give a second life to an old thing and get a new one. To give originality to the finished product, various decorative elements are used. These can be sequins, lace inserts, beads.
Based on the pattern of old shorts
If you have no experience working with patterns, you can update your wardrobe without them. Any comfortable shorts that can be used instead of paper templates will do. The product is carefully folded along the side seams, placed on the fabric, the contours are marked with chalk, taking into account the seam allowance - 2 cm. Then the work is carried out according to the algorithm:
- The cut out pieces are cut along the drawn lines.
- The sides, back and front seam lines are stitched.
- The folds on the bottom edge and waist line are stitched.
- All seams are processed.
Knitted shorts have an attractive appearance, freely pass air, providing comfort in the heat. However, not all needlewomen dare to work with this fabric, since it stretches a lot and crumbles at the cuts. To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to cut the elements in one layer, placing the parts in the same direction. The material is sewn with special needles with a rounded end.
How to lengthen and change the style
Lace will help to lengthen and at the same time decorate the shorts. The material is overcast along the cut, then the lace is sewn on the inside so that the openwork patterns seem to peek out. The model can be complemented with a belt that matches the color of the inserts.
If your favorite shorts have become too tight, you can widen them and change the style at the same time. The easiest way to transform a thing is with the help of fabric or lace inserts. The following options are usually used:
- Triangular. It has a wedge shape and is inserted into the side seam so that the wide part is located closer to the waist.
- Rectangular. Sewn along the entire length of the side seam in the form of stripes.
Rectangular inserts on shorts can be replaced with lacing. To do this, the side seams are cut, holes are made along the edges for ties. The result is a seductive beach option.
Various decorative elements will help to update shorts. The list of the most popular materials includes:
- Lace. Sewn not only along the bottom edge, but also along the legs and pockets.
- Ribbons. The decoration is suitable for creating an unusual, daring image.
- Rhinestones, sequins, beads, glitter. Attaching the decor will not take much time, and the result will be gorgeous.
- Threads. Satin stitch embroidery will make shorts fashionable and childishly charming.
- Paints. Any design can be applied to the surface of the product. It will look simple but original.
Beginner craftswomen often wonder how to sew shorts with their own hands. Simple styles without patterns are great for beginners, the work helps to develop useful skills, realize creative potential. The result of the work is the replenishment of the summer wardrobe with an exclusive item.
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