Mood’s has brand new exclusive leather in stock and it’s absolutely lovely. I used a vibrant red stretch option for these ruffle shorts and they fit like a dream! For anyone against leather though, no worries – Mood has an incredible selection of faux leather that would look just as fierce. Plus, you could easily substitute fabrics and create a ruffle with some lace or trim!

Fabrics & materials used:

• 2-3 hides Medium Red Stretch Leather
• 1 pkg Gold Eyelets
• 1 yard 1/4″ Ivory Single Face Satin Ribbon
• Leather Machine Needles
• MDF059 – The Sage Shorts Sewing Pattern (free download below!)

All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart above for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.

Start creating your shorts by attaching each of your front panels at the crotch and sewing up the rise. Luckily, leather doesn’t fray, so you don’t need to worry about fancy seams unless you’d like to bind them for aesthetic purposes. Do the same with your two back panels.

Next attach the front and back of your shorts at the sides.

Fold your waistband inward 1/2″ and then again another 1.75″. Edge-stitch along the bottom of the fold, like you see in the left photo above, and then about 1/2″ above to create a casing for your elastic. Cut your elastic to fit comfortably around your waist, feed it through the casing at the waistband, and stitch the ends together. Evenly spread the gathered leather along the elastic, like in the above right image.

Take two of your ruffle panels and sew them along the shorter straight edge, faces together. Double roll the longer straight edge 1/4″ and stitch down.

Match the seam of your ruffle with the inseam of your shorts and sew the shorter curve along the hem of your shorts. Edge-stitch along the bottom of your shorts panels, stitching the seam allowance into place like you can see in the right photo above.

Insert three eyelets on either end of your hem ruffle. Cut your satin face ribbon in half, lace one through the eyelets on either side of your shorts and tie.

Sew your two belt panels together along the short edge, as you see to the right here. Fold the entire belt in half along the length, fabric faces together, and sew. Pull it right-side out, slip-stitch your ends closed, and then edge-stitch around the entirety of the belt to finish.

Featuring sunglasses, courtesy of Sassaries.