Featured fabric: The Blank Quilting Corp. Seaside Boil by Jennifer Paxton Parker

Pattern adapted from: Jessica Shaw (YouTube)

Sewn by: Lindsay Conner

If you’re ready to start sewing simple garments for yourself or a child, this easy boxer shorts sewing tutorial is the perfect place to begin. Similar to classic boxer shorts, this beginner-friendly pattern is created using a pair of well-fitting elastic-waist shorts you already own—no printed pattern required.

These DIY shorts are much easier than you think and are ideal for warm-weather wear. With playful prints like the lobster-filled Seaside Boil fabric collection, you can create comfy, loose-fitting shorts that work beautifully as pajama shorts, kid shorts, or casual lounge shorts.

This project is a great confidence booster for advanced beginners and a fun summer sewing idea. Ready to sew a pair of custom shorts? Let’s get started!

Skills Learned: Machine sewing

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Finished Size: Varies

Fabric Requirements:

1 to 1 1/2 yards (.91 to 1.4m) - of cotton quilting fabric (depending on size of shorts). I used:

• 4546-88 Red || Seaside Boil - Lobster on Plaid (as shown in instructions)
• 4549-95 Gray || Seaside Boil - Crabs (as shown in feature image)

Materials:

Sewing machine

Scissors

Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat

Sewing clips and pins

Measuring tape (to measure waist)

1”-wide elastic cut to waist measurement

Current pair of well-fitting, elastic-waist shorts

Marking pen

1. Cutting Directions:

Take a pair of shorts that fit you and fold them in half. This is how you will make a pattern. You can trace around the shorts on pattern paper (or a paper bag), or just eyeball it and cut it out directly on the fabric.

Note: Kids shorts, and boy shorts in particular, will have the same type of shape for the front and back, so the front and back pattern pieces will be the same. However, if you have women’s shorts that are made to be a bit more fitted like the pair pictured, you can trace a separate pattern piece for the front and the back.

• First, fold your shorts in half so the front is facing out. Trace directly around the shorts onto the pattern paper. When you get to the elastic waist, stretch it out as far as you can and trace that width onto the paper.
• Next, fold the shorts in half so the back side is facing out. Pull the crotch far out to find the seam lone. Pull out the elastic waist as you did before. Trace around the shorts to make the back pattern piece.
• Now, use a ruler to draw extra seam allowance and hem allowance around the traced pattern shape. Add 1/2” to the side seams and the center front seam. Add 1” to the inseam and the bottom. Add 2” to the top.
• With your fabric folded in half, cut the front and back pattern pieces out through double layers to get four total fabric pieces. Compare the front and back fabric pieces on the side seams and inseams—they should be the same length, because they will eventually be attached later.

2. Here is what the fabric pieces look like cut out (the second layer is behind the first).

3. Lay out the front left leg and back left leg and place the right sides of the fabric together. Clip the fabric pieces together along the side seam and the inseam. Repeat with the right front leg and right back leg.

4. Use a 1/2” seam allowance and sew along the clipped edges of both the right and left leg sections. Use a zigzag stitch over the raw edges to prevent fraying, or finish the edges with a serger.

5. Now that you have your two legs, flip one leg right side out put it inside the other leg (which is still facing wrong side out). Place the fabrics right sides together, lining them up at the U-shaped crotch seam. Pin or clip the pieces together along the crotch seam.

6. Next, sew the legs together using a 1/2” seam allowance.

Use scissors to cut a few notches out of the curviest part of the crotch seam. Next, zigzag stitch that U-shaped seam or serger the edges to prevent fraying.

7. If you turn the shorts right side out, you can see your handiwork so far! Next, we’ll hem the bottom of the shorts. Fold up the raw edge of the leg holes up once by 1/2”, and press with an iron. Then, fold it up by another 1/2”, and press that down. Clip the edges and topstitch 1/4” from the edge.

8. Next, you’ll use a measuring tape to measure your waist (or the waist on the shorts you made the pattern from). This is how long you will cut the 1” elastic. Note: I did not have 1”-wide elastic, so I cut a 2”-wide elastic piece in half.

9. Fold the elastic in half, and use a pen to mark the halfway point. Fold the elastic in quarters to find the quarter points. You should have three marks on your elastic.

Turn the shorts wrong side out and match the halfway point up on the elastic with the center front seam and pin it down. Then, match the quarter point up with one of the side seams and the other quarter point up with the other side seam. Bring both elastic ends around to the center back and clip those in place so the elastic is equidistant around the shorts.

10. Switch the sewing machine to a wide zigzag stitch and start sewing at the edge of one of the elastic pieces on the back of the shorts.

11. Stitch, then back stitching a few times to secure the ends. Next, gently pull on the elastic as you sew toward the next clipped section. This will gather your waistline. At each pinned section, remove the clip, and keep stretching the elastic as you sew, until you get to the very end. Add several back stitches to secure.

12. Here’s what the shorts will look like with the elastic added.

13. Fold the elastic down completely toward the inside of the shorts, and then fold again. Clip this hem in place. Switch to a straight stitch and sew it all around about 1/8” from the bottom edge of the folded seam. Go ahead and pull the fabric as you sew to get a nice and flat waistband on the boxer shorts.

And that’s all it takes to sew your own custom boxer shorts or pajama shorts!

This beginner-friendly sewing project is a great way to practice garment construction and elastic waistbands—without feeling overwhelmed. Use it to make cozy sleepwear, comfy lounge shorts, or a quick handmade gift.

If you’re new to sewing clothing, consider this project a confidence-boosting win. Once you’ve made one pair, you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll want to sew more in different fabrics and prints. Projects like this are also a great way to use up favorite quilting cottons while creating something practical and wearable.

Fabric Details:

To view the complete Seaside Boil collection and more, click here.