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Debbie Shore's Dressmaking Studio: Turn Trousers into Shorts | DIY Pattern

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

Our wide-leg trouser pattern turns into shorts, keeping you cool and comfortable. This project can be styled in two ways, with PDF instructions ready to download.

Once you’ve found a flattering sewing pattern that you like and that fits you, you can adapt it and use it again to make other versions. A very simple pattern transformation for trousers is to turn them into shorts.

If you like a straight leg, you can simply make the pattern shorter; if you like a softer look in a more fluid fabric, your shorts will look nice with the legs a little wider. Make a toile first in the same weight of fabric you’re using to make sure the fit is right for you.

Making your pattern

Use the same sizing measurements as for the trouser pattern; you will need approx. 20in (50cm) less fabric than for the trousers but if you want a more precise estimate, adapt your pattern pieces following the instructions below and then lay them out as if they are on an imaginary piece of folded fabric and then measure what you need. The pockets are optional on both the shorts and trousers, so if you want to make a super-quick pair, you can simply leave them out.

The trouser variation

These instructions assume that you have already made the trousers. If you haven’t, click here to find the pattern and instructions you’ll need to make the shorts. Steps 1–5 below explain how to make a straight-leg version of the shorts, either with or without turn-ups, and steps 6–9 explain how to make a wider-leg version with a lighter fabric.

By the end of this project, you’ll have:

1. Made a flattering pair of shorts.
2. Learned how to make some simple pattern adjustments.
3. Started on the road to creating your own sewing patterns.

Note: use a ⅜in (1cm) seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

What should I make next?

There are a growing number of dressmaking projects here at the Half Yard Club™ so if you’re interested in having a go at some of the others, you might like the Wrap Skirt, the Collared Box Top with Vents and the hugely popular Kimono Jacket, which are all beginner friendly. For further inspiration, turn to the Half Yard Facebook page or Pinterest.

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine with a needle suitable for your fabric
• Printer paper, scissors and sticky tape if printing the pattern at home
• Fabric shears
• Small sharp scissors or a quick unpick/seam ripper to open up the buttonholes
• Erasable fabric marker or tailor’s chalk
• A little fabric glue
• Safety pin or bodkin for threading your elastic and tie through the channel at the waist
• Optional: Fray Check
• Optional: spray starch such as Best Press if your fabric doesn’t press very well
• Optional: overlocker for finishing the seam allowances

Materials

• Light- to medium-weight fabric with no stretch; you’ll need approx. 20in (50cm) less than for the trousers, but it really depends on the length of your shorts, the width of your fabric and the size you have chosen, so ideally measure your adapted patterns to see what you actually need
• Small amount of lightweight flesh-coloured fabric for the pocket lining if using white or slightly sheer fabric (see the trouser instructions)
• 1½in (4cm) wide elastic, 4in (10cm) shorter than your waist measurement 
• Two small squares of lightweight interfacing for the buttonholes, each about 1in (2.5cm) square

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