Coachella season has arrived, and with it a need for cute and trendy denim shorts – something I’ve somehow never tried before! Now, let me preface this post by admitting that I am normally a costume designer, and occasional DIYer. I can recreate gowns from Game of Thrones and outfits from cartoons, and I’ve certainly made pants before, but how had I never tried my hand at a pair of denim shorts? To remedy this gap in my sewing experience, I set out to make a pair for a friend.
Items used:
- 3/4 yard Theory Dark Indigo Stretch Cotton Denim
- 1/4 yard Geometric Stretch Cotton Twill
- Dritz Jean Button
I outlined an old pair of shorts for the larger pattern pieces. The waistband is the length of the waist plus 2″ for seam allowances and the overlap for buttoning the finished shorts.
In addition to making the back pockets out of the cotton print, I decided to line the front pockets for a pop of color as well. The front of the lining was sewn to the right side of of the front of the shorts; then the seam allowance was clipped, flipped right side out and topstitched, like you see below. The back lining of the pocket was then sewn to front lining, again with right sides together. The back pockets were simply topstitched onto the back panels.
After that, the shorts go together fairly easily. the panels are attached at the inseam and outer seam, the zipper is put in at the front, and the waistband is attached. Voila! Shorts!
After they were constructed, it was just a matter of the details. I added some topstitching in light blue to match the print, and folded up the hem for a crisp finish!
love love love this pattern!