Next, it is time to make the shorts. I already confessed that I am not a pattern user. Anytime I am making things for my kids, I go to their closet and pull out a dress or pants that currently fit them and steal measurements from there.
I measure the length of the elastic in a waistband, the length of the hemlines, the width of the bodice and length of sleeves. No need to search the internet for standard measurements. Just go find all the info you need right in your child’s closet.
The same goes for the shape of shorts and tops. I pulled a pair of pajama pants out my daughter’s drawer and used it for the pattern piece for the shorts. I simply folded it in half and cut around it, leaving room for the seams (about 3/4″ of an inch) and extra space at the top (about 3″) for the elastic waistband.
Cut four pieces (two for the front and two for the back). Make sure that you have two facing one way and two facing the other. So, cut your fabric right side up to cut two and then the wrong side up to cut the other two.
Now that you have a front and back piece, line them up right sides together, and sew down the sides with a 1/2″ seam. After you have sewn the sides, sew around the crotch, making sure to line up the front center seam to the back center seam.
To make the waistband elastic casing, press the top down 1.5″ and then another 1.5″, hiding the raw edges inside.
Sew the waistband almost all the way around, leaving a 1″ opening to push the elastic through.Cut a piece of 1″ elastic from the dimensions below.
Push the elastic all the way through until it meets up with the other end at the opening. Overlap the ends, being careful that you don’t have them twisted, and sew the ends to each other. I like to sew in more than one spot, so I can be sure they won’t separate and pull out the waistband. Sew up the 1″ spot that you left open to pull the elastic through. Add some more embellishments to the bottom of the shorts, if you want to get extra fancy.
Find some more vintage sheets and repeat repeat repeat.