How to make kids' shorts

1. Materials & tools

Materials (child shorts)

• Fabric (cotton, double gauze or jersey) — 110 cm wide × about 40 cm
• Waist elastic (2 cm wide) — the waist measurement

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Kids' clothes” → “Kids' shorts” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the rise, inseam, waist and hip. Presets cover heights 80–130 cm.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   The right curve is the crotch, the left straight edge is the side.
2. Cut 4
   Cut 2 mirror pairs (4 pieces). Mark the crotch notches.
3. Finish the edges
   Zigzag or serge the edges.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew the crotch seams

1. Sew the crotch curve on the front pair and back pair; clip the curve.

4-2. Sew the inseam

1. Open out, place right sides together and sew the inseam in one pass.

4-3. Sew the sides

1. Sew the side seams right sides together; press open.

4-4. Waist and hem

1. Make an elastic waist casing and stitch, leaving an opening; thread the elastic, fit and close.
2. Double-fold and topstitch the leg hems; press.

5. Tips & variations

• Knit version: jersey makes soft play shorts (use a stretch stitch).
• Pockets: add patch pockets for treasures.
• Length: adjust the inseam to taste.