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Floral Shorts

Extract from DIY Fashionista • By Geneva Vanderzeil • Published by Carlton Books

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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
1h00

DIY Fashionista
Wear It: Let the floral print blossom by styling this pretty pair with a simple white T-shirt and blazer.

Every season, printed fabrics and patterns take centre stage in some shape or form. Whether delicate paisley prints or oversized checks, designers the world over inte- grate them into collection after collection. This project will show you how to create a pair of chic shorts that can easily be recreated in on-trend fabrics with every season change.

Making a pair of elasticated shorts is an entry-level sewing project that’s simple enough for even the most amateur sewing-machine user to try. Once made in a printed fabric and embellished with lace, pom-poms or anything else you choose, these shorts take on a life of their own and integrate easily into any fashionista’s summer wardrobe.

The concept of working with a pattern can be daunting, so in this project you make a simple pattern out of a pair of shorts you already own – no complicated in- structions or searching for your size on the pattern sheet. And because the pattern is made from something you already wear, you know it will fit you perfectly.

Tip: I recommend using a sewing machine for this project. Beg, borrow or steal – this project is worth it

Tip: If you have a selvedger, you should use that to finish the edges. If you don’t have one, use a zig-zag stitch on the raw edges of the seams to stop fraying and to reinforce them.

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© 2024 Geneva Vanderzeil / Carlton Books · Reproduced with permission. · DIY Fashionista, by Geneva Vanderzeil, published by Carlton Books, available to buy from carltonbooks.co.uk.
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  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 1
    Step 1

    First make the pattern. Fold your existing shorts in half (front pockets on the outside). Lay shorts on top of craft paper and draw round them with a pen and ruler.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 2
    Step 2

    Add 2 cm (1 in) to the bottom and sides of the pattern, and 4 cm (11/2 in) to the top (waistband) of the pattern. Cut out the pattern.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 3
    Step 3

    Fold the fabric in half, wrong sides together, bearing in mind where you want your pattern to sit. Then pin the long straight edge of the pattern along the fold.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 4
    Step 4

    Cut out the fabric along the pattern.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 5
    Step 5

    Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the second piece of fabric so you have two identical pieces.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 6
    Step 6

    With right sides facing, pin the two pieces together along the two curved seams.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 7
    Step 7

    Machine-stitch the fabric together along the two curved edges using a straight stitch, following the pin line.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 8
    Step 8

    Fold the shorts so the two sewn curved seams are together. Pin and stitch the short.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 9
    Step 9

    Turn under a small hem along the leg openings, then press, pin and stitch to hem the leg openings.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 10
    Step 10

    Now open out the shorts and pin the short inside leg seams together.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 11
    Step 11

    To make the elasticated waistband, fold over the waistband about 3 cm (1 1/4 in) and stitch along the edge using a straight stitch, leaving a gap for the elastic.

  • How to make shorts. Floral Shorts - Step 12
    Step 12

    Push the elastic onto a knitting needle to make threading easier, and thread through the waistband.

  • Step 13

    Stitch the elastic ends together and then close the waistband gap with a few stitches.

  • Step 14

    Finally, finish all the raw edges with a zigzag stitch to reduce fraying and stop the shorts from splitting.

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Comments

Nunnah H.
Nunnah H. · Maputo, Maputo City, MZ
Love
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Isaura
Isaura · De Haan, Flanders, BE · 36 projects
Thanks for sharing this idea! Happy
Reply
Hester A.
Hester A. · Sheffield, England, GB · 12 projects
So easy! thanks for uploading (: xx
Reply

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