This summer, I’ve been dreaming about Italy. Spending June in Venice, canal side sipping espresso. July on the Amalfi Coast, stretched out in the sun, reading on the beach. August in Rome, touring the Colosseum and zipping through the streets in an adorable, pink Vespa. Well, I’m not in Italy, but I can still enjoy the adorable quality that Vespas add to any style with these Vespa Shorts!

These shorts were very easy. The steps may look extensive, but they’re simple and the end result is a pair of shorts that reside at the corner of cute and comfy. Before tackling these delightful chambray shorts, you’ll want to familiarize yourself french seams, which are used quite frequently.

Materials

1 yard Dusted Blue Lambretta Scooter Cotton-Poly Chambray

2″ White Elastic

3170 Bone 100m Gutermann Cotton Thread

Steps

1. Pattern Making

The first thing I did was trace a pair of shorts that I already owned. I traced the front left and right legs, and the back left and right legs, the band and the 4 pocket pieces onto pattern paper. I cut the pattern pieces out, and then traced it onto the fabric. Then, I cut those pieces out.

2. Sew pockets to front pieces

The next thing I had to do was sew the pockets to the front of the fabric. I sewed the face of the front leg to the face of the pocket, and then flipped that over and sewed the back lining of the pocket to the front lining of the pocket, leaving an opening at the top.

3. Connect front and back pieces

I used a french seam to sew the front pieces of the shorts together. I then used a french seam to sew the back together. They should be connected by the middle part, so you’ll have to sew on a curve.

4. Sew front and back together

Again, I used the french seam to sew the front and back together at the sides and in the middle, to create leg holes.

5. Attach waist band

Use the french seam again to attach the waist band to the shorts, leaving an opening for the elastic.

6. Thread and sew elastic

Thread the elastic through the waist band, and then sew it closed. To make sure the the elastic was fully attached, I sewed a square with an X in it, so it’s fully fortified.

7. Stitch the waist band closed

I used a slip stitch so that the seam wouldn’t be seen on the outside.

8. Hem bottoms

The last thing I had to do was hem the bottoms of the shorts. I decided to cuff the shorts for a summery look, but you can just hem the shorts like normal. To cuff them, I used a slip stitch again and went all the way around the circumference of each leg.

9. Look fabulous

And that’s it! The perfect shorts for picnics in the park, summer cook outs, and playing volleyball on the beach.

Do you love these shorts as much as I do? What fabric would you use? Let me know in the comments!