I love sewing shorts. So quick and fun and they get worn a lot! Today I'm sharing a fun tutorial for making Faux Wrap Shorts for girls (or women if you love them that much). A fun DIY for any level of experience. This shorts tutorial has a cute ruffle wrap front that I know your little girl will love.
Cute right? With a little fabric, a pair of shorts that fit well, some ¾" elastic and a couple hours you can make these too!
First trace your existing shorts to make your pattern.
Tracing Tips:
- Turn your shorts inside out.
- Iron them or stretch them flat.
- Make sure your seams are on the edges and tuck the other parts inside so it is easy to trace.
- Trace the bottom part and from the crotch curve up and then make a straight line up. Elastic in shorts pulls in the top but you'll need to cut your fabric as if there is no elastic in them yet. (see photo below)
Add seam and hem allowances. For this pattern I use a 1" hem allowance and ⅝" seam allowances. Take away about ¾" at the top because you'll be doing a separate waistband.
Note: I took an inch off the front pattern pieces and added an inch to the back because I made a flat front waistband. If you want to do this add/take away from the outside (flat) side of the pattern piece.
Make your faux wrap pattern piece:
- Make a rectangle the width of your shorts front (measure the front pattern piece, subtract the inside seam allowance and double).
- For the length subract 1.75" from the bottom and 1.5" from the side to make room for the ruffle.
- Make a curved line as shown in the photo.
Cut 2 front, 2 back, 1 faux wrap piece, 1 ruffle piece, 1 front waistband piece and 1 back waistband piece. Waistband pieces will be the length of the finished back and front panels by 3.25". Ruffle piece is 3.25 x 40".
Right sides together, sew front to front and back to back at the curved crotch.
Hem the back left leg and front right leg. Iron up ¼" then ¾" and topstitch.
Make ruffle: Fold ruffle fabric in half, wrong sides together. Use a basting (long) stitch across the unfinished edges and gently pull the bobbin thread to make a gather. Gather until your ruffle is the length of the bottom edge of the faux wrap piece.
Sew it on then finish hem with pinking sheers or serger. Iron hem UP then topstitch.
Baste the faux wrap piece to the front of the shorts at the top. The ruffle should match up evenly at the bottom with the hem on the shorts.
Sew the waistbands to the top of the front and back pieces, right sides together. Then fold the waistband over and iron in half. Iron seam toward the top and fold top of waistband under ¼" and iron. Do not sew closed yet.
Stack front of shorts and back right sides together (faux wrap is in between). Cut ¾" elastic the length of your child's waist MINUS the width of the front panel. Attach the elastic to the waistband side seams with a zigzag stitch. Sew up the side seams of the shorts and waistband.
Fold waistband over, trapping elastic inside the backside casing. Pin and topstitch making sure not to sew over elastic.
Sew up inseam.
Finish the hem on the unfinished leg. Then sew the seam of hte right leg down. See photo below.
You're done!
Katie says
This is adorable!! I might even be able to talk my skirts only girl into wearing these!!
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy says
Thanks Katie!
Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says
I remember seeing this in the Series and loving them!!! They are culottes, no shorts, no a skirt - ha! I love it!!!
Tereasjoy says
This is such a cute and clever idea! I must try this!
Jenny says
Super cute! Love those.
By the way, I just published a blog post showing my daughter's Go To Disneyland dress. Thought you'd enjoy seeing another example of your fabulous pattern all sewn up: http://www.greatjencreations.com/2012/08/go-to-disneyland-dress.html
daniKate designs says
Great tutorial, and super cute idea! Thanks so much, I look forward to trying this for my daughter when I get a chance 🙂
Twins Squared says
Just lovely! I can't wait to make some for the girls!
daria says
these are just so cute! and I suppose they're not super difficult to make. would you recommend them to a beginner?
Stephanie @ Henry Happened says
I love your choice of fabric, and the overall design is just lovely!
[email protected] says
Oh my gsh. These are so darling. I have to make several pairs for my twin grand daughters who are six. Perfect for summer. Easy to wear in the heat, yet girly!
Judy Connelley says
These are so cute! I have 4 granddaughters and another coming next Tuesday---ages 18 months - 13 years old. So these come in handy.
Rose says
I think these shorts are so cute and femine! They are so different than most other shorts I have seen. These are so perfect for my little girl. Thank you for shareing...even after all this time.
Cathy says
Made this today! So cute. Nice Tutorial. Thanks.
Coursework writers UK says
Seller is highly recommended. The quality of materials and fabric is good. The colors are bright. The set of the child really liked..