We’ve skipped over Spring and are knee deep in 85 degree summer weather here in NY and that means it’s time to ditch the pants for the foreseeable future. I can never seem to find shorts that fit well in-store, so I absolutely adore the opportunity to make a pair. I went with a bright and summery linen, and after discovering it’s lovely drape, I knew it needed to be something gathered. The Piper Shorts feature a faux-belted paper bag waist, with an elastic insert so you vacation in both comfort and style this season.
Fabrics & materials used:
- 1-2 yards Linen
- Optional: 1/2 yard Black Single-Faced Woven Fusible Interfacing
- 1 yard 1/2″ White Elastic
- MDF050 – The Piper Shorts Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Step 1
Begin by sewing your front panels together at the rise, followed by each of the back panels at the back rise. If you’re using the same fabric as me, you won’t need a lining, so French or Hong Kong seams are recommended.
Step 2
Before connecting the front and back of your shorts together, you’ll want to add you back pockets. Fold the top edge of your pocket panel down 1/2″ and then another 1″ toward the wrong side of the fabric, like below.
Step 3
Pin, press, and then fold each of the other raw edges back and press again.
Step 4
Using the guides on your pattern, place the pockets on each back panel and top-stitch into place.
Step 5
Attach the front and back of your shorts at the inseam and outseam, and then fold your waistband down 1/2″ and then a full 2″ like in the photo below.
Step 6
Stitch around the waistband toward the bottom of the fold, like below, and then again about 3/4″ above that to create a casing for your elastic.
Step 7
Cut a piece of elastic to fit snugly, yet comfortably along your waist. Seam rip a small opening in the casing along the back seam and feed your elastic through. Stitch elastic together at the ends, evenly distribute the gathered fabric along the waistband, and slip-stitch the casing closed again.
Step 8
Lastly, triple fold the hem of your shorts, 1.5″-2″ depending on your desired length, and hand tack into place in a few spots.
Step 9
Interface your belt piece for extra stability, if desired. To make the belt, fold in half along the length with the fabric faces together and sew around the three raw edges, leaving a few inches open to pull it right side out. Iron, and then slip-stitch the opening closed.
TY – more free cute patterns in BIG sizes keeps me buying your stuff. AND – big people buy MORE! 🙂
Could you make these out cotton fabric hannah
Yes, you certainly could!
Thank you ! Planning a trip to the store Saturday hopefully I can find this fabric still in stock. Beautiful
I love this fabric! It was so lovely to work with. It’s an online closeout fabric though, so I’m not sure if they’ll have it in store!
I noticed the 1/2 yard Black Single-Faced Woven Fusible Interfacing is out of stock. Is there another material you reccomend in place of it?
Thank you
Hi Crystal, the interfacing is used if you’d like some extra stability in your belt. An alternative interfacing can be found here!
Can this be made with a knit fabric, if I add an interfacing to the waist band?
Hi, Paula – I think if you interface the waistband, a knit would work well!
These shorts are so cute! Tying that perfect bow is the hardest part! Thank you!
Really love the size range on this! I found a free PDF pattern for similarly styled shorts and (after printing it out) found that the largest size was three sizes smaller than what I would need. So glad to have seen this pattern announced on Instagram. Just what I needed. And as a bonus, because of the extended sizes, I can sew up a pair for my mother as well!
Very cute! But it need FRONT pockets as well!
I was trying to keep them simple! Hahah, you’re totally right though – more pockets are always better. A quick and easy remedy might be some in-seam pockets. If you’ve never tried them, we have a pretty easy tutorial here! 🙂
I just wanted to check that I have the right pattern for the piper shorts. I’ve printed the pattern and cut it for a size 18 and it measure 27 inches long, but the finished length is about 15 inches. The check square came up in the correct size and I’m going to have to adjust for the crutch rise. It just seems like it’s too long
Yes,the top folds down twice for the waistband and the hems fold up to the length you prefer. 🙂
Download patterns, transferring to Swedish tracing paper and noticed both pattern pieces say “Front”, is that correct?
Whoops! That’s an error. The piece on the right, with the pocket guidelines, is the back piece. Fixing now, thank you for the catch!
Thanks Courtney, I thought as much but wanted to make sure 🙂
Hi, Can I ask where the interfacing is used also are these uk or usa sizes please?
Good morning! These are US sizes, and you use the interfacing along the belt pieces 🙂
Sooo cute!
Hello, I have a question. The italian M size, also 42/44 size,what american size does it match? Thank You.
You’d get the best fit by measuring yourself and referring to the size chart below the materials list.
Hello, I have an universal question about moods patterns – seam allowence is included in the patterns or should I add it myself? Thank you.
Also thanks for this cute pattern, I´m going to try it this weekend and it will be my first pattern from mood, so I´m very excited (and little worry) 🙂
You can find information on each pattern’s seam allowance below the download form. Typically, we include at least a 1/2″ seam allowance on all patterns. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Thank you so much . I did it with a blue royal linen fabric . I love it .
Result a bit tight on the tights .
I should had tailored 3-4 size up to have the loos and paperbaggy style.
These turned out so well! I measured as a size 8 but cut out a size 10 (to give myself forgiveness as a beginner doing Hong Kong stitches) and to create a looser, more comfortable look. Living out my camp-counselor-Laura-Dern-in-Jurassic-Park dreams now AND beating summer heat! Thank you so much for this fun and straightforward pattern.
Would there be any reason why you couldn’t serge the edges and just sew it regular? Im not great at doing the other types of seams yet.
Hi Hillary! Yes, you can definitely do that as well. 🙂 The only issue may be when you fold the hems up – you’ll see a small portion of the serged side seams there.
Courtney: I downloaded the pattern earlier today only to see both parts labelled “Front” and I was immediately distressed. Just found this page of instructions and I see that a year and half ago the front-back issue was supposed to be fixed and yet it hasn’t.. With summer nearly upon us, this might be a good time to update the labeling. Thanks.
Hi there! The file was updated a year and a half ago. 🙂 The first page layout may still show ‘front’ on both pieces, but that actual pattern pieces are labelled accurately. Please let me know if you somehow received the old version though!
hi, this mood sewciety patterns are very nice , i love your work
I love the size range for these patterns because I can’t find patterns that are made for anyone with curves anywhere! Thank you for making sure we all fit !!!
I love how easy this pattern is, but for my shape, the sizing was way off! My hips are 45″ and my waist 34″ and I was floating in a size 18. I ended up taking in the side seams and folding the waist two inches, twice. They still feel a bit big.
I just finished these. They are loose and comfy and nice and cool in this heat. Next time I may go down a size. I am short waisted so they come up kind of high so I will probably trim that down and finish off the edge. I cuffed the hem added front pockets and belt loops on the sides. I will certainly make these again.
I’m unsure which size would fit me best. My waist is 26″ but my hips are 35″. What do you recommend?
Hi there! It looks like you’d be an 8. 🙂
Made these out of brown corduroy and they turned out really cute and cottagecore!
I do agree with you , I myself can’t find short that fits well.
I can sew a little too.
I will definitely make this shorts.
These shorts are so cute and the come in my size!! I am in love! I am a beginner at sewing and my shorts looked more like bloomers (while still cute) than these cute paperbag shorts. Is there any way a video tutorial could be made? Especially with how the French seam was used. Thank you!!!
Hi, my hips are 36.4″ and my waist is 28.3″, what size do you recommend?
Hi there! I’d go with a size 10 or 12. The waist on this is fairly free since it’s elastic so the larger size will just mean that it gathers more.
Hi! If seam allowance is 1/2 inch, does it mean that an extra 1/2 inch is included in the pattern or I have to add 1/2 inch before cutting the fabric? Thanks for help!
Hi, Magda! A 1/2″ seam allowance is already included. 🙂
HI! How do i know how much fabric i will need?
Hi, Delphia! We have recommended yardages in the ‘Shop this Look’ widget. 🙂
thank you!
Can this pattern be printed at a copy shop in the wide version, or is it just for copying at home?
Hi, Carolyn! Unfortunately, our free patterns are only available for printing on a home printer at the moment.
I’m having a hard time finding the yardage for the pattern layout – how many yards of fabric do I need for a size 12/14? Thanks,
Hello, 1 yard of fabric will be enough for size 12/14
I made these from old sofa fabric and they worked wonderfully! The instructions were easy to understand, there were lots of points where I could easily make fit adjustments, and I am delighted with the result. Thank you! 🙂
I just finished these. Not sure how I feel about them. I’m not sure if it was the fabric I used or maybe I made the wrong size but they just don’t seem to fit right. But they are cute and I would probably still wear them around the house as they are pretty comfortable.
I had this exact same issue! They are way too big on me even though I selected my size based upon the size chart. I can’t wear them and wasted some of the fabric I bought from my recent travels to India. ☹️
Hi Bailey, 🙁 I’m so sorry the shorts aren’t fitting as you had hoped! I’ve been there too and it’s heartbreaking when you can’t wear something you’ve spent so much time working on. We encourage sewists to make a muslin first so any fit issues can be identified before you move onto your special fabric. I know we all just want to get started on the actual garment, but taking the extra time can really pay off!
Is this pattern no longer available. I tried to download but it does not show a pattern
Hello, Muriel! It seems to be working on our end, but if you’re still not able to download it, just email info@moodfabrics.com and they will be happy to send it to you! 🙂
hi, I was hoping to make these for my 9yo daughter. waist 26″, hips 28″ and height 54.5″. would the smallest size be ok or would I need to adjust for her smaller hips?
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
Best regards,
The Mood Sewciety Blog Team
Agreeing with other comments above – this pattern comes out BIG. Way too baggy (particularly, weirdly, in the crotch), way too tall in the waist (even doing generous turning on the waist band). I’ll be unpicking and sizing down. Frustrating, as other free Mood patterns I’ve made have generally worked out well in sizing.
Hello!
Thank you for your feedback. Most of the instructions on our 350+ patterns, especially these older ones, do reflect their no-cost nature. But we understand your frustration!
Unfortunately we can’t update the instructions on every pattern in our archive, especially if they are over 2 years old, however, if there are errors we will correct them! We encourage you to take a look at the improved in newer patterns, offering more thorough guidance! We appreciate your engagement and invite you to explore these updated options for a better sewing experience!
Hello, I love the look of the pattern & I am excited to start sewing it. I am newer to sewing and I have a quick question. It my be a problem on my end but I printed the pattern & the sizes do not have a “code” on the one I printed out. I do not know if I am saying that correctly but I have printed another mood pattern & the different lines and spacing were associated with a size I didn’t see a guide for this one or for the Sylvan Tank Dress. Can you help?
Hello & happy sewing! You can find the size line key on page 8 of the front pattern.
this is such a cute pattern, I made a pair of half & half shorts in tan and pink linen, and they turned out really good. I chose not to cuff them for shorts that end just above the knee, so I also didn’t use french seams.
the size based on my measurements fit well, but this is definitely a high/natural wast pattern so if you tried to wear it lower I can see how the fit would be super weird.
overall very good and easy pattern, thanks mood!
That sounds like an awesome way to make this pattern! Thank you for your input and experienced advice, we truly appreciate thoughtful suggestions like yours—they help others get the best results from the pattern.