Hey y’all. Today I’m going to show you how to make jeans cut off shorts. Did you know you can get two pairs of shorts – a mommy pair and a toddler pair – out of the same pair of jeans? Totally do-able. Let’s start with Mommy’s pair.
So, start with a pair of jeans. For this particular style, I chose a looser fitting trouser style pair of jeans.
The looser fit through the thighs is important to make sure these don’t end up looking like Daisy Dukes.
Try on your pants, and mark where you want the shorts to end. Make a long, straight mark. In my case, these pants already had a wear line (from being on a hanger?) right where I wanted them to end, so I used my ruler and made another line 1 1/2 inches below  the fade line.
You’ll probably notice that your straight line you made when standing now looks angled. That’s OK, go with it. Cut one leg on the line you drew, then fold in half to cut the other leg.
Don’t forget to save those jeans legs to make your second pair.
And then, enjoy your new shorts – which no one will suspect were once pants.
Next, I took a pair of Bean’s shorts that fit him and folded them so I could see just one side and laid them on top of one of the jeans legs.
I traced around the seams, staying straight where the waist pinches in
I used this pattern piece flipped over to cut out the other leg for the shorts. Then I cut out two pockets, just kind of guesstimating based on the pocket on the shorts I was using as a pattern.
I serged around the edges of the pockets (if you don’t have a serger, I would zig-zag and used pinking shears)
I folded under the serged edges and ironed, then topstitched down the top edge. For an authentic jeans look, use upholstery thread and a large sewing needle, like a size 90/14
Pinned the pockets into place on the back sides of the shorts
And topstitched them into place
Put the two pieces right sides together and sew the curved seams
Open up the shorts so you can sew the inseams
I serged around the top edge. If you don’t have a serger, fold this over about 1/4″ and press, or finish with bias tape or a faux overlock stitch.
And for $3 I paid for the jeans, both Bean and I got shorts!
And is there anything cuter than a toddler tush?
Shirley Bigalk
I love your patterns! I can’t wait to get to use the toddler’s shorts from mom jeans.