Today I’m going to show you how I made Tater’s trunks from the Beach Bums look. They really weren’t that hard. The hardest part was figuring out the fabric. I got the print microfiber from The Fabric Fairy, and the blue is nylon taffeta from Hancock Fabrics. The mesh liner on the inside is also from Hancock Fabrics.
I started with a one-piece pants pattern (if you don’t have one you can make one following the directions here). I traced the pattern onto my paper, then sketched in the curves for the right leg.
I flipped the pattern over and traced it again for the left leg, drawing a line across the top for the print fabric, making sure it would line up on the front and back crotch lines with the end of the print fabric on the right leg. Then I cut the pattern into pieces on my lines, adding 1/2″ seam allowances to each newly cut edge. After I pinned and cut my fabric, I had this
And then I stopped taking pictures (sorry!) I sewed the pieces of the right leg together, then the pieces of the left leg. Then I sewed the pocket on the left leg, and from that point on sewed them together like normal shorts.
With the exception of the mesh liner
For that I traced the liners from Tater’s old trunks as a pattern, adding in an inch to the legs to make a casing. I encased elastic on the leg openings, then basted the top of the liner to the top edge of the trunks before attaching the waistband.
I also topstitched the seams flat with contrasting thread as I went along.
And there’s a stylish (and functional) pair of trunks if I do say so myself!
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Fantastic! Why ever buy clothes again?
Wow, way to go! Those board shorts turned out awesome
Nicely done!
Jen
SUPER cool!! Thanks for sharing how you did them. It is details like this that make sewing for boys fun.
Wow that turned out so great! Thanks for sharing, I’m a new follower from a blog hop, please follow me back at http://iheartpears.blogspot.com
This is such a great idea,thanks for sharing! I WOULD LOVE TO TRY SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
http://www.blissfulsewing.blogspot.com
Love it! Definitely going to try this for my 7 year old boy!
I love these!! Great job!! I was wondering where you get your Melly Sews clothing labels done at? Do you make them yourself? Can you do a tutorial on it? I’m getting into sewing my own clothes and want to sell them so it would be something for me to consider doing. you can visit me at: preparednesswithmegs.wordpress.com or email me at cameramegan@gmail.com. Thanks!!:)
Megan
Thanks for asking! I can’t take credit for the idea – I followed Kate’s tutorial at See Kate Sew HERE
This is a great idea and I love how this swim suit has such eye-appeal with the different fabrics. Thanks for sharing!
Jenny
http://www.seaminglysmitten.blogspot.com
These would look so cute as ordinary shorts too!
This is awesome,you have great talent!
http://www.blissfulsewing.blogspot.com
love this wish I had sewing talent because I would make our little man some come see what treat I did share http://shopannies.blogspot.com/2012/05/yanky-doodle-treats.html
Very nice! This reminded me to check on my kids swimming clothes, I might have to make my son something similar.
These are awesome!!!
These are so cute. I’m going to have to try some for my boys! Thanks for the Tutorial!
I love the fabric that you chose! And the detailed stitching?! Awesome! I’ve pinned this project
I’m looking for guest posters during SHORTS WEEK on my blog ~ I would love to have you!!! Swing by tomorrow for more deets 
Thanks for sharing your talent!
xo
Heather
love it! amazing. featuring you tonight!
What a slick pair of trunks. Perfect selection of fabric. Love the double top-stitching. Gives it a real professional finish.