Hello, creative friends! It’s your expert tailor, here to share one of my favorite projects: paper bag shorts. They look so stylish and chic, you might think they’re difficult to make. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret—they are a surprisingly fun and simple sewing project!
If you’ve been wanting to try making your own clothes, this is the perfect place to start. That ruffled, cinched waist is easier to create than you think. Forget confusing instructions. We are going to walk through how to sew paper bag shorts one simple step at a time. By the end, you’ll have a beautiful, custom-fit pair of shorts that will make you feel so proud. Let’s get our scissors ready and begin!
What You’ll Need: Gathering Your Supplies
Before we start sewing, let’s get all our tools together. Having everything you need in one place makes the whole process smooth and enjoyable. You don’t need a lot of fancy gear to get started.
Here’s a simple table of the basic supplies for this beginner sewing project.
| Supply | My Expert Tip |
|---|---|
| Sewing Pattern | Find a simple paper bag shorts pattern online or at a craft store. Look for one with clear instructions for beginners. |
| Fabric | About 1.5 to 2 yards. Lightweight fabrics like linen, chambray, quilting cotton, or rayon work beautifully. They are easy to sew and create a lovely drape. |
| All-Purpose Thread | Choose a color that matches your fabric. |
| 1-inch Wide Elastic | You’ll need enough to fit comfortably around your waist. |
| Sewing Machine | Any basic machine that can do a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch will work perfectly. |
| Basic Sewing Tools | This includes fabric scissors, pins or clips, a measuring tape, and an iron. Don’t skip the iron—it’s the secret to crisp, professional seams! |
Getting Started: Cutting Your Pattern and Fabric
The first real step in any sewing project is cutting the fabric. Take your time here, as accurate cutting leads to an easier sewing experience.
First, I always recommend pre-washing and drying your fabric. This prevents your finished shorts from shrinking in the wash later. Once it’s washed and ironed, lay your fabric out flat.
Follow your pattern’s guide to lay out the paper pieces on the fabric. A good paper bag shorts pattern will have a few main pieces: a front piece, a back piece, pocket pieces, and pieces for the waistband. Some patterns also include belt loops and a matching belt, which are fun details to add. Pin the pattern pieces securely to your fabric and carefully cut them out.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Sewing Your Shorts
Now for the magic! We’re going to turn that pile of fabric into wearable shorts. We will build them step by step. Just focus on one seam at a time, and you’ll see how easily they come together.
Step 1: Sewing the Darts and Pleats
First, we need to add a little shape. You’ll likely see markings on your pattern for darts on the back pieces and pleats on the front pieces.
What are darts? Think of them as small, folded triangles of fabric that you sew down. They help the shorts curve and fit your body better. The pleats in the front are simple folds that give the shorts their classic, roomy look. Go ahead and sew your darts and fold and press your pleats. Your pattern will show you exactly where.
Step 2: Assembling the Main Body
With the details done, let’s make something that looks like shorts! Take your two front pieces and place them right sides together. Sew along the long, curved center seam. This is called the front rise.
Do the same thing for your two back pieces. Place them right sides together and sew the back rise.
A quick tip: If you don’t have a serger, use the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to finish these seam edges. This stops the fabric from fraying and gives your DIY paper bag shorts a clean look inside.
Now, open up your front and back sections and place them right sides together, matching up those center seams you just sewed. Sew the long, straight seam on the inside of the legs (the inseam).
Step 3: Creating the Side Pockets
Pockets are a must! We’ll add simple pockets that hide right in the side seams. Your pattern will have pocket pieces. You’ll sew one pocket piece to the side of a front piece and another to the side of a back piece.
After attaching the pocket pieces, you can sew the main side seams of the shorts. Place the front and back of the shorts right sides together. Pin all the way down the side, but make sure you sew around the pocket pieces, not over them. This creates a little bag on the inside of your shorts. It sounds tricky, but if you follow your pattern, it makes perfect sense.
Step 4: Making the Famous Paper Bag Waistband
This is the part of our sewing shorts with elastic waist tutorial that gives the shorts their name. The paper bag effect comes from creating a channel for elastic.
You’ll have a long piece of fabric for the waistband facing. Sew the short ends together to create a big loop. Press the seam open. Now, pin this loop to the top edge of your shorts, with right sides together, and sew it all the way around.
Press the waistband facing up and away from the shorts. Then, fold it down into the inside of the shorts. Press it neatly. To create the casing (the tunnel for the elastic), you will sew two lines of stitches all the way around the waistband.
| Stitching Row | Where to Sew | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Top Row | About 1.5 inches from the top folded edge. | Creates the pretty ruffle for the paper bag look. |
| Bottom Row | About 1.25 inches below the first row. | Creates the channel, or casing, for your elastic. |
When you sew the bottom row, leave a 2-inch gap unsewn. This is where you will feed your elastic through. Attach a safety pin to one end of your elastic and guide it all the way through the casing. Overlap the elastic ends and sew them together securely. Finally, sew the small gap in the waistband closed.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
We’re almost done! The last step is to hem the bottom of the shorts. A simple double-fold hem looks great. Just fold the raw edge up by about half an inch and press. Then fold it up another half an inch to hide the raw edge, press again, and stitch it down.
If your pattern included a belt and belt loops, now is the time to add them. They are a wonderful finishing touch that makes your shorts look extra professional.
FAQs
How do you style paper bag shorts?
Paper bag shorts are easy to style. They look best with a fitted top. This helps balance the shorts’ volume. You should always tuck your shirt in. This shows off the cute, ruffled waistband. For a casual look, wear them with sandals or sneakers.
How do you make shorts step-by-step for beginners?
First, choose a simple pattern. Cut your fabric pieces. Sew the front and back center seams together. Then, sew the inner leg seams and side seams. Create a waistband and add your elastic. Finally, you just need to hem the bottom.
How do you sew slits in shorts?
First, mark where you want the slit on the side seam. Sew the side seam down to your mark. Remember to backstitch to secure the seam. Press the seam open. Fold the raw edges of the slit under. Then, topstitch around the slit opening for a clean finish.
How do you sew elastic for shorts?
You need to create a casing in the waistband. A casing is a small fabric tunnel. Leave a small gap in the casing. Use a safety pin to guide your elastic through it. Overlap the elastic ends and sew them together securely. Then, sew the small gap in the casing closed.
Why are they called paper bag shorts?
They are named for the way the waist looks. The waist is cinched tightly with a belt or elastic. This creates a fabric ruffle above the waist. It looks like the top of a crumpled paper bag when you squeeze it shut.
You Made Your Own Shorts!
Take a step back and admire your work. You did it! You learned how to sew paper bag shorts from start to finish. You took flat pieces of fabric and turned them into a stylish, wearable garment. With these simple steps, you can create a staple piece for your summer wardrobe in any color or print you love.
Now that you know the basic process, you can make this pattern again and again. Happy sewing!
What fabric are you planning to use for your DIY paper bag shorts? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below!