You can put together a pair of comfortable elastic shorts with only a little work, time, and patience, even if you don't know how to sew.Here's what you have to do.
Step 1: Make a pattern.
You can make a simple pattern for your shorts by tracing the outline of a pair of shorts that fit well on a piece of craft paper.Place your shorts in half.The front pockets need to be on the outside.Attach the outline of your shorts to craft paper.For a seam allowance, add 1 inch around the bottom and sides of the pattern.Add 1.5 inches to the top of the pattern.Use scissors to cut the pattern out.
Step 2: The pattern should be pinned to your fabric.
Lay your pattern out on top by folding your fabric in half.Place the pin in place.The folded edge of the fabric should be placed along the long side or center.You can sketch the outline of the pattern onto your material.
Step 3: The material needs to be cut out.
To cut along the outline, use sharp sewing shears.One side of your shorts will be created by this.
Step 4: Take it one step at a time.
The same pinning and cutting methods are used to make another piece for your shorts.With the long side of the pattern along the folded edge, fold your fabric in half and lay your pattern out on top.Put a pin in place.To form another piece, cut around the pattern.
Step 5: The seams should be Pin along.
Line your two pieces together with the right side facing each other and the left facing out.Pin together.Pin along the two rounded seams of each piece.Keeping the seams evenly aligned is important at this point because you will be stitching them together next.
Step 6: The seams need to be sewed together.
If you want to sew along the rounded seams, use a sewing machine.Use a backstitch if you are sewing by hand.Allow for a small seam allowance.You should be left with a single connected tube of fabric.
Step 7: The shorts should be flipped over.
The stitching can be seen in the center front and center back of the fabric.The sewed seams will be on the outside edges after sewing the two separated pieces together.If you want the seams to be evenly aligned with each other, you'll need to change the shorts.The crotch of the shorts will be formed by these sewn seams.
Step 8: The inner thigh seam should be sewed.
The opening below the center line of the crotch can be seen easily if you flatten the fabric.To complete each leg, sew along both sides of the material.The seam allowance is 1 inch.Use a zig-zag stitch to sew these sides together.These will fall out of the thigh.
Step 9: A waistband can be created.
Leave enough room for your elastic band by folding over the upper edge of the fabric.Pin in place, then sew along the raw edge to make the waistband.The folded over top is 5 cm.You should have enough room for the elastic waistband.You can sew a straight stitch with your sewing machine or hand.You can thread the elastic through the hole if you leave a small hole along the seam.
Step 10: The elastic should be fed through the waistband.
Push the elastic through the opening of the waistband until it reaches all the way around.The opening in the waistband needs to be closed.The elastic should be the same size as your waist.This extra space will make sure the shorts stay snug on your waist since elastic needs to stretch to stay secure.To make it easier to feed the band, clip a safety pin to one end of the elastic.To make it easier to feed through, tape the elastic to a long chopstick.Pull the elastic through the openings.As you zig-zag stitch the elastic together, hold them taut.
Step 11: You are up your shorts.
The bottom edge of each leg can be folded up.To create a hem, sew around the leg opening.This is the last part of your shorts.The seam allowance is about 1/2 inch.The front and back of the shorts should not be sewed together.You have to sew the hemmed fabric around the opening of the leg.Try the shorts again when you're done.
Step 12: You can download a pattern.
The easiest way to make a pair of boxer or athletic shorts for men is to download a free pattern.As you print the pattern out, set the printer for A4 paper and do not check it.To piece everything together, follow the instructions.The full pattern can be created by matching the numbers together in each corner.You can cut the patterns out and tape them together.
Step 13: The material should be pinned to the pattern.
Place the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric.After pinning the two items together, use a piece of chalk or sewing pencil to sketch out the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric.The one provided here includes the seam allowance, which is included in most patterns.The lining fabric should be folded so that it becomes a double layer.Pin the waist band lining pattern with the "fold" marking on the folded edge.
Step 14: The material needs to be cut out.
Cut along the sewing lines.For this, use sharp sewing shears.The pieces should be cut in reverse order.The first piece you cut out should be the one you need the most, followed by the last piece.You will end up with the first piece on top of the stack if you stack the pieces this way.
Step 15: Prepare the two back pockets.
The pocket pieces should be pinned onto the correct parts of the shorts pattern.To sew the sides and bottom of the pocket, use a double top stitch.To press the pocket pieces, use an iron.Double top stitch the top hem of the pocket before pinning it to the shorts fabric.The pocket opening will be on this edge.You can pin and sew the back pockets after doing these two steps.
Step 16: Prepare the front pockets.
The method used on the front and back pockets is the same.Use an iron to press the pocket pieces.Double top stitch the top hem of the pocket before pinning it to the shorts fabric.The pocket opening will be on this edge.The pocket pieces should be pinned onto the correct portions of the shorts pattern.To sew the sides and bottom of the pocket, use a double top stitch.
Step 17: Take the crotch and sew it.
The crotch portion of the pattern can be sewed along with the back portions of shorts.The pieces should be put together with the right sides facing each other.Use sharp sewing shears to trim one side of the seam.The crotch seam has a clip curve.To sew the crotch seam up, use a flat felled seam.
Step 18: Attach the rest of the seams.
With the right sides of the pieces facing each other, sew the inseam and side seams.After sewing the inseam, serge or overlock the raw edge.Use a flat felled seam method to sew the side seams.
Step 19: He's wearing the shorts.
To hold it together, fold the bottom hem up and use a double top stitch.To make a sturdy fold, press the bottom hem with an iron.
Step 20: The lining of the waistband needs to be sewed.
With the right side facing each other, sew the waistband lining to the waist.The lining should line up with the center of the back waist.
Step 21: The elastic waistband has to be sewed together.
The edges of the elastic are overlap by about 1/2 inch.Make sure the elastic is snug on the wearer's waist.Take a measurement around the wearer's waist.Take this measurement and subtract 3 inches from it so that the elastic band has room to stretch out.
Step 22: The elastic should be folded into the lining.
Take the elastic and fold it over the band.To finish the shorts, sew it closed.The elastic has to be put in the center of the back waist.Place the band in the center of the waist.The band should be divided into a few points along the lining and pinned to the fabric in a number of places.The lining edge should be folded with the wrong side facing out.While stretching the elastic band, sew along the edge.The right side faces out if you turn the shorts.The elastic and double top stitch can be stretched away from the top and bottom edges.