Who can resist a touch of color or pattern – better yet, color and pattern, when it comes to adding some punch to an outfit? These otherwise simple solid-colored shorts are crying out to be made more fun somehow. A bit of ingenious crafting rescues these plain-Jane shorts. Add a ton of visual interest to this summer wardrobe staple by covering the back pockets and lining one front pocket with fabric.
Most of us have a stash of fabric remnants somewhere in the house; if not, fabric squares and pieces are inexpensive and easy to find at fabric or craft stores. The key to this project is to choose a bright, patterned fabric, whether it’s floral, geometric or even an elegant toile. You just have to add a few stitches, and by the time you're done, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind, super adorable pair of shorts to wear all summer long.
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Materials
- Pair of solid-colored shorts
- Sheet of construction paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- About 1/4-yard of printed fabric
- Straight pins
- Sewing needle
- Thread in a color that complements the fabric or matches it
- Pair of solid-colored shorts
- Sheet of construction paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- About 1/4-yard of printed fabric
- Straight pins
- Sewing needle
- Thread in a color that complements the fabric or matches it
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Place the shorts front side down on the work surface.
1. Place the shorts front side down on the work surface.
2. Place a piece of construction paper that’s cut to the approximate size of one of the back pockets on top of the pocket.
3. Trace the shape of the pocket with the pencil to make a template.
4. Cut out the template.
5. Place the pocket template on top of the fabric.
6. Trace around the template with the pencil.
7. Cut the pocket-shaped piece from the fabric, following the lines of the pencil.
8. Place this fabric piece on top of the back pocket.
9. Pin the fabric securely on the shorts with straight pins.
10. Sew the fabric to the shorts with the threaded needle with a basic stitch, removing the straight pins as you go.
11. When you've finished sewing around the pocket, bring the needle from the exterior of the pocket to inside it; wrap the thread around it a few times and pull the needle through so a knot is created.
12. Cut the needle and excess thread from the knot.
13. Repeat steps 2 to 12 but cover the other back pocket with the fabric.
14. Using the same technique, add fabric to one of the small areas that peek out from behind one of the front side pockets.
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