how to make shorts from pants

While perusing various mall shops yesterday, I found a pair of white shorts in Gap, which I liked except for the fact that they were pretty much see-through. No bueno. Then I happened to notice that they still had the white jeans I got last time I was in there for about $5 cheaper than the shorts… cue the lightbulbs. This was the easiest way I could think of to do this, since rolling the hem twice = no need to finish the cut edge. I like shortcuts :D

materials -

• pants
• tape measure
• straight edge
• pencil
• pins
• iron
• sewing machine

process -



Measure the desired inseam length + allowance for the hem to be turned under twice. I wanted the final length to be 4”, with a 1” rolled hem, so I marked 6”.



From the mark you made, draw a line perpendicular to the inseam, then cut along the line.



One leg cut successfully!



Flip your pants over to the other side, making sure the legs are lined up.



Align your straight edge to the cut leg, then draw a line on the non-cut leg so they’ll match up, then cut off the excess.



Line up your tape measure along the inseam and place a mark at 1” and 2” up from the edge. Repeat for the outside seam, then repeat on the other leg.



Use the markings as a guide; fold once at the 1” mark, then again at the 2” mark. Hooray for hiding that raggedy edge! Pin on either side to hold in place, then repeat for the three other seams.



Once your two seams are pinned in place, you’ll need to finagle the rest of the fold to match, then pin it in place. This is what it should look like when it’s done. Repeat for the other leg.



After everything’s pinned in place, use your iron to press the folds so they’re all nice and pretty :D



Here’s what it should look like when everything’s pinned and pressed!



Now, using your handy dandy sewing machine, sew down and back the middle of the outside seam [orange dotted line] a couple of times for security.



Repeat on the inseam, although for this one, I sewed along the outside of the seam [orange dotted line] because I thought it looked nicer :D Repeat this step and the last one for the other leg, then remove all the pins and press with the iron again.



And now you have a new pair of rolled-hem shorts!