I’m sewing up a pair of Spiderman shorts for my Little Dude with Peek-A-Boo Pattern’s Free Day Camp Shorts sewing pattern. I’m sharing all my best tips and tricks to help you sew your own toddler shorts with a fun money saving twist.
Fabric Choices
My Little Dude insists on living in shorts for about 10 months of the year – crazy boy!! At least they’re nice and quick to sew so he can have a good variety to choose from.
He’s currently obsessed with Batman and Spiderman so I treated him to some new character fat quarters.
A fat quarter isn’t really enough fabric for a pair of toddler shorts, not by half. A few years ago I came up with this idea of using a premium fabric for one half of the shorts and a cheaper plain fabric for the other side. The result is a really fun harlequin effect.
So for one fat quarter and some scraps of plain black cotton, I’ve got a premium looking pair of shorts that will make my Little Dude’s day.
Sewing Pattern
This is my first sew of Peek-A-Boo Pattern’s Day Camp Shorts. The sewing pattern is free if you sign up for their Facebook group.
I like Peek-A-Boo Patterns, they are nice and straightforward sewing patterns. The Day Camp Shorts were true to form, nice and simple.
Sewing Techniques
I like to stitch my seams on a standard sewing machine then overlock them for a neat and professional finish.
When it came to finishing the hems I ignored the instructions and used my favourite technique of overlocking the raw edges. The instructions say to double fold the hems which is a better technique if you don’t have an overlocker handy.
Experience has taught me to always, always measure my hems and waistbands. By getting the measurement consistent I can consistently catch the hem with my top stitching for a perfect finish.
The instructions used the traditional technique of inserting the elastic into a casing then stitching the two ends together. I prefer to stitch the two ends of my elastic together with a zig zag stitch. Then I make the elastic casing around the elastic loop, top stitching it in place as I go. It’s a more fiddly technique but I think it leaves a neater finish as there is no hole to sew up.
I like to use a twin needle to stitch my hems and waistbands. I think it looks so professional. And if I’ve got my measuring just spot on, it holds the overlocked edge in place perfectly, almost like a cover stitch machine.
I’ve got some of my favourite twin needles in my Etsy shop.
I do hope my sewing project has inspired you to have a go at sewing shorts for the Little Dude in your own life.
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Pin It Now, Sew It Later
A Little Bit About Me . . .
Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the interweb. I’m Bridie, mum to two small humans, full time homemaker and full time craftaholic – which totally explains why I’m always short on time!
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Heart, Hearth and Crafting 