Today I’m going to share how to sew a drawstring elastic waistband on shorts made from a t-shirt. I figured this out when I was sewing a pattern that wanted drawcord elastic. I didn’t have drawcord elastic and so the instructions didn’t quite make sense for that part. So here I’m going to show you how to do the waistband with regular elastic – and still add a drawstring.
To start, cut the elastic to the waist size for the size you’re making, Then, after you sew side seams and rise seams, it’s time to sew on a waistband.
Fold 1 inch wide elastic in half, matching short ends. Sew together with a 3/8 inch seam, leaving a 3/8 inch gap in the middle of the seam. Backstitch each edge so that they will stay together. Press the raw elastic edges away from each other.
With shorts right side out, place the elastic right sides together with the shorts, matching the top edges. The seam on the elastic should be lined up with the center front of the shorts. Pin at side seams and center front/center back. Stretch the elastic as you sew right along the edge (with a zig zag stitch) so that it matches the width of the shorts. If this stitching ends up a little messy, that’s OK as it’s going to get hidden in the next step.
Fold the elastic to the inside of the shorts, so that the fabric edge you just sewed folds over the elastic.
Keeping the fabric tight against the elastic edge (but not so tight that the elastic creases) stitch along the bottom edge of the elastic waistband to complete the shorts.
Using a safety pin and your drawstring cord (I used bias tape for the cord in these) pull the drawstring through the channel you’ve created between your elastic and the shorts fabric by going in through the gap you left in the center front elastic seam.
Knot the ends of the cord together and you’re done! And this way, kids who are skinnier can still keep their britches up.
Kristie
That is so slick and so easy! Thanks for sharing.
Alison
woah, that is clever! Thank you for my new pj bottoms method!
Rachel
Super handy for a quick pair of summer shorts! Thanks!
Kelly G in ATX
This is great! Now I know what to do with old t-shirts. I’m going to have whip up some shorts for both my kiddos and some to donate. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Christina
You are a lifesaver. Both my boys have outgrown the mass of PJ shorts I made last winter and I have a whole pile of tshirts in my recycle bag. Yay for easy and cheap. If I end up with some extras I will donate to our local abused womens shelter for the kiddoes.
Isabelle
I haven’t tried it yet but thank you for this post. I have one question: the front rise and the back rise being identical, will this short be comfortable? I thought that the back rise needs to be longer for better fit and comfort?
Melissa Mora
Normally, it would be an issue. But with a long rise like these shorts have, you get a dropped crotch, and that allows you to make the front and back rise the same length. If you want to adjust for a crotch that fits closer to the body, I would suggest lowering the front rise 1″ at the waist.
Barbara Alsko
Very clear and informative. Thank you!
Linda Leary
I really like this drawstring elastic alternative. I plan to use it on many elastic / drawstring waist designs – even for me!