Skorts are having a major moment this summer, and we can’t wait for you to see this trending pattern hack that our editors are obsessing over! Sadie Metter shows you how to hack your favorite elastic waist shorts or pants pattern and transform them into a stylish summer skort. Easy to dress up or down, this simple pattern hack pairs perfectly with a t-shirt for daywear or a chic top and sandals for evening.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Seam Allowances: Based on the pattern you will be hacking
Materials:
- Two yards of a woven fabric such as linen, twill or poplin.
- Favorite elastic waist shorts or pants pattern. For the sewn sample, Sadie used a self drafted pajama pant pattern that she uses as a base for all cozy pants and shorts she creates for her family.
- One button
- 1” waistband elastic = Half the measurement of your waist.
Instructions:
- Cut out your short pattern pieces. Two mirror image short front pieces, two mirror image short back pieces, and one skirt front.
- If you are using a pants pattern, determine the length of the inseam and retrace the pattern pieces reflecting the new shorts length, which is what Sadie did with her example.
- To draft the skirt front pattern piece, simply fold the front shorts piece down at the center front seam, inseam and crotch.
- Then add 6 to 8 inches to this center front to extend the skirt front panel. This is a personal choice and you can play around with the amount the skirt front overlaps. If in doubt, add 8-9 inches and you can always adjust this later.
- If you are using a pants pattern, determine the length of the inseam and retrace the pattern pieces reflecting the new shorts length, which is what Sadie did with her example.
- Cut out all your fabric pieces, then serge or zig zag stitch all raw edges of the fabric pieces.
- Stitch Back pieces together, right sides facing, along the center back and just up to the crotch curve.
- Press seam open.
- Attach elastic to the back of the shorts (ONLY THE BACK). The front of your shorts will lie flat against the body with the skirt panel.
- To do this, take your waist measurement and divide by 2. Subtract an inch or two depending on how tight you like your waistband to be. Pin in place on each side and baste in place.
- Fold over the waistband and pin in place. Stitch down the waistband being sure not to catch the elastic.
- Now the back waistband is gathered and ready to move on.
- To do this, take your waist measurement and divide by 2. Subtract an inch or two depending on how tight you like your waistband to be. Pin in place on each side and baste in place.
- Pin and stitch the center front and crotch curve of the front pieces. Just like we did for the back in Step 3. You will not be adding elastic to the front waistband.
- With right sides facing, pin and stitch the LEFT side of the Front and Back pieces along the side seam.
- Skort Skirt Front:
- Press the waistband of the skirt front piece allowance towards the wrong side. This will be the same amount you used for the short back and front. Pin and stitch in place.
- Lay shorts front right side up on your table. Lay the skirt piece on top of front pieces aligning the RIGHT side seam with the wrong side down of the skirt and right side up of fronts. Bring the back of the shorts around so that you are aligning the side RIGHT side seams together. The back will be facing right side down/wrong side up. Note: See drawing above.
- Pin and stitch in place. You will be sandwiching the skirt piece between the front and back short pieces. You are stitching the right hand seam of the skorts.
- Pin and stitch right sides together of the inseams, matching the center front and center back crotch seam.
- Hem the shorts legs and the skirt front with a 1” fold.
- Now try on and mark the placement of the button and button hole on the left edge of the skirt panel. This is where you can adjust the amount of overlap of the skirt panel.
- Hem this edge and you are done!
Wear and Enjoy!
