How to Make Shorts Out of a Pillowcase.

Mis-matched pillow-cases?  Or ruined by bleach stains like mine?  Make some cool bottoms for the summer!
Just FYI:  these are like lounge shorts, or something you would wear when you go to bed.  I am proud of my work but still would not be caught dead in them in public.  Still with me?

Here's what you need:

1. Pillowcase

2. Sewing machine

3. Thread

4. Elastic

5. Scissors

6. Seam ripper

Using a seam ripper, take out the pillow case seams so you have ONE long piece of material.

Hold the pillowcase around your waistline as shown, then add at least 4 inches for hemming and roominess.  Cut edges of pillowcase to desired length.  The picture is upside down, my torso is not my legs.

Take cut pillowcase and fold in half lengthwise.  Pin all edges together.

Take a pair of pants that fit you comfortably as your guide.  Pin waist to long side of pillow case.  Do not cut the sides of the pillow case, you are only using the pants to guide for crotch length.

Mark using sewing chalk where you will cut the crotch part of the shorts.  Add at least 1 inch for sewing edges, then cut it out.  

What you should have now are two is what looks like two halves of a pair of shorts stuck together.  Fold the shorts wrong sides together.  Sew outside leg seam  and crotch parts together.  Sew whatever raw edges you have to keep the fabric from unravelling, but don't sew the leg holes or waist part together!

Take elastic and insert into waistband of pants.  Here are some tutorials on how to do it:


video

Step by Step

Here is the finished project.
 
Some of us ladies may have extra thickness in the thighs (ahem) so to make the shorts roomier in that area, before I sewed the crotch haves together, I added an extra panel of fabric and sewed it between the "v" area.   Yay, comfort.  Good night.
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