https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/floral-shorts-2 • Posted by Carlton Books
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cut out the fabric along the pattern.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the second piece of fabric so you have two identical pieces.
With right sides facing, pin the two pieces together along the two curved seams.
Machine-stitch the fabric together along the two curved edges using a straight stitch, following the pin line.
Fold the shorts so the two sewn curved seams are together. Pin and stitch the short.
Turn under a small hem along the leg openings, then press, pin and stitch to hem the leg openings.
Now open out the shorts and pin the short inside leg seams together.
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.
Push the elastic onto a knitting needle to make threading easier, and thread through the waistband.
Stitch the elastic ends together and then close the waistband gap with a few stitches.
Finally, finish all the raw edges with a zigzag stitch to reduce fraying and stop the shorts from splitting.