Drawstring Denim Shorts are Great Beginners Sewing Project
For people who are just learning how to sew, a pair of simple denim shorts is a great project to showcase newfound abilities. Using a lightweight denim material and a drawstring or elastic waist pattern, a pair of denim shorts can be made in an afternoon.
If you are just starting out as a seamstress, look for a one-piece pattern with no zippers or fly, just a simple drawstring style. You will use almost all straight stitches, and it will be a breeze! Next, be sure you are going to make your denim shorts from a light-weight material that is fairly fluid, not a heavier-weight, stiff material like you would make a jeans jacket from. You want your denim shorts to be able to gather easily at the waist and drape nicely.
A pair of denim shorts will take about ¾ to one yard of material in most cases, so the cost of this project is inexpensive, too. Even with thread and drawstring and/or elastic, you can make a great pair of denim shorts in exactly the length and color you want for under $15.00. At the Simplicity website, look for pattern #7092 for $8.95. It’s a versatile one that will help you make denim shorts, Capri pants and even some great flannel lounge pants.
If you don’t want to sew your own, there are always great versions of denim shorts available year-round. It’s a style that never goes out of fashion and holds up to hiking but will carry into a nice lunch out as well. Styles vary from cut-off versions of the traditional five-pocket jeans to carpenter pants and denim shorts with pleated fronts and a longer rise that are quite at home in everything but the dressiest of situations.
JCPenney offers lady’s Lee Ultimate 5-pocket shorts for $14.99 (website or in-store) in both a light and dark sandwash and a white version. For a really great deal, check out www.sierratradingpost.com, where Lady Liberty denim shorts, regularly $19.99, are currently going for only $5.95!. These are a medium-weight denim with a side loop and slightly longer length for better coverage.
Men’s denim shorts are sometimes a bit tougher to find, and they usually stay truer to their roots as shorter versions of blue jeans. Wal-Mart offers the Wrangler classic 5-pocket for only $11.44 year-round, so stop by or go to www.wal-mart.com for these.
For children’s shorts, Old Navy is always a safe bet for a great price (starting at $3.99 in the Pittsburgh area if you shop the sales), but shorts will be hard to come by in the off season, depending on which part of the country you’re in. Hey folks, Pittsburgh’s cold in February! Www.Target.com has adorable denim shorts overalls (is there anything cuter than toddlers in overalls?) for $9.09 pretty much year-round.
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