How To Make Elastic Or Drawstring Waist Shorts: Design #4

Are you ready – to make the scrapiest drawstring waist shorts of your life?!

Today we’re tackling the last of my eyelet fabric (certainly not the last of my scrap fabric projects though, I’ve got more in store for you)! This project uses medium/small and itty bitty pieces. Honestly, making drawstrings (or bias tape) is my ultimate hack for using up tiny fabric scraps. What are your sewing hacks? Tell me in the comments, I need to know!

When you’re done reading this post – go check out some of our other scrap fabric projects so you too can bust through your fabric stash. We’ve got plenty of ideas to go around, including the last three from this mini-series:

• How To Make A Scrap Fabric Eyelet Blouse: Design #1
• How To Make An Eyelet Top Out Of Scrap Fabrics: Design #2
• How To Make A Kids Scrap Fabric Top: Design #3

Now let’s get sewing!

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Just wanted to hop in here with a quick note and apologize that all of my pictures of these shorts don’t show the shorts very well. Unfortunately, when we were taking pictures of the scrap blouses we didn’t get any better angles of the shorts.

I do hope you still enjoy the tutorial though!

Approximate time put into this project: 2 days, with 2-3 hours put into the project each day

Disclaimer: I am trying to teach myself the Metric System. I will try to always include both measurements in my tutorials, i.e. centimeters and inches, meters, and yards. I have been using them interchangeably in my everyday sewing life lately, sorry if I switch between the two too often or forget to include them both. Thanks for understanding!

Cutting Your Pattern Pieces

For this scrap fabric project, I want to show you a quick glimpse into my cutting process so you can see how you can make amazing, beautiful projects, out of small, odd-shaped pieces.

As always, when sewing with scrap fabrics, make sure you cut out your biggest and most important pieces first. If you don’t have big enough pieces to do so, don’t sweat it, we can patch them together as well. The secret to making it look intentional is making both sides match. For the piece you see below, I did have enough fabric to cut one whole panel, but because shorts require four panels, and I could cut only one, I opted for partial pieces with intentionally placed cuts.

Front and Back Shorts Panels

To start, fold your reference shorts in half on the front crotch seam and place it on your fabric. Remember to include 1″ (3cm) of seam allowance around the sides, as well as 1.5” (4cm) along the bottom hem, and optionally, 3.5” (9cm) to the waist. Cut two mirrored pieces for the front, then repeat the same folding and cutting method for the back of the shorts, cutting two mirrored pieces as well.

Pro Tip: Cut intentional shapes into the shorts. Don’t be afraid to play with the shape of your funky fabric scraps. For some of my pieces I cut rectangles, for others, I cut diagonal lines. Keep in mind that for every piece you have to patch together, you will need to include extra seam allowance to do so.

Pockets:

Duh.

I recommend cutting your rectangle a little bigger than the pockets on your reference shorts. Just copy the same shape, including extra seam allowance around all sides, and additionally 2″ (5cm) of extra seam allowance along the top edge.

For front pockets, use your hand as a reference and cut around it with extra seam allowance, creating a rounded edge near your fingertips. Remember to leave a straight edge along one end so it can connect with the side seam on the shorts.

Waistband:

Measure the length of the waist piece on your four shorts panels then cut a piece of fabric this length + 2″ (5cm) by 4″ (10cm) tall. I recommend adding the extra 2″ (5cm) in length just to make sure you have enough length in the end, or cutting the waistband later if you’re sure you’ll have enough fabric.

FYI, the height of the waistband when folded over will be half that measurement, minus a little seam allowance. If you want a taller or shorter waistband to fit your elastic needs or desired design, by all means, please customize this!

If you can, I really recommend trying to cut the waistband out of one full piece instead of patching it together. It’s a lot harder to weave a drawstring or elatic through the waistband when you’re fighting a dozen seams on the inside of a patched-together waistband.

Ruffles Option:

If you want to add ruffles to the bottom hem, cut a long strip (or multiple strips) of fabric, 2.5” (6cm) tall. You will need two equally long strips of fabric that are at least twice the length of your leg holes.

Drawstring:

Doing the same as you would if you were to cut ruffles, for a drawstring you’ll want to cut a long strip (or multiple strips) of fabric 2” (5cm) tall. You will need enough to wrap around your waist and tie a bow.

I love the look of a patchworked drawstring, plus you can use up so many small pieces doing this. Get creative here to make your own unique drawstring waist shorts!

Sewing the Front Panels

If you cut funky pieces like I did, you’ll want to start by sewing the front and back pieces together to create full-pattern pieces. Pin good sides facing, then sew and finish the raw edges with a zig-zag stitch or by overlocking.

Then place your two front panels together, good sides facing, and pin along the crotch seam. Sew along the curved edge only, then finish the raw edge. Repeat these same steps with the back panels. I recommend giving everything a firm press with your iron before continuing.

Sewing the Pockets

Back Pockets:

Fold down the top edge of your rear pockets by .50” (1cm) and sew in place. Then fold the new edge down by 1.25” (3cm) and sew in place. Iron the other three edges at this time as well, folding each edge in by .50″ (1cm).

Lay your back shorts panel flat and measure from the top waistband line down by 2.50″ (6.50cm) and from the center back seam measure in by 2″ (5cm). You can change these measurements to fit our preferences. Pin your pocket in place, then match the same placement for the other pocket.

To secure them in place, sew two lines, one as close to the edge as you can get, and a second line the proper width of your straight stitch foot. 

Side Shorts Pockets:

Lay your shorts panels out flat and pin one pocket, good sides facing, to each side. I recommend pinning the front pockets first then laying the back panels on top of the front short panel, lining up the waistline. Immediately you’ll know where to pin the pockets on the back piece.

Sew these in place and zig-zag stitch or overlock the raw edges. Open up each pocket piece so it lays flat and press the seam with your iron, then top stitch the seam.

Pin the crotch seams together and sew, finishing the raw edges.

Next, take the shorts panels and pin your pieces together along the sides seams, good sides facing. Make sure you pin along the side seam and around the pockets. Then sew these in place and zig-zag stitch or overlock the raw edges.

How to Make the Ties for Your Drawstring Waist Shorts

One of my favorite things to do with small pieces of scrap fabrics, is make ties or bias tape. They’re super quick to make and also the end result is a lot of fun!

Take your strips of fabric and pin them all together, good sides facing good sides. Then sew each piece together, finishing the raw edges with a zig-zag stitch or by overlocking.

With your now long piece of fabric, you’ll want to make some bias tape. You can use something like a bias tape maker for this, or just grab your iron and fold it in half with wrong sides facing. Then fold the raw edges to the inside, fold the strip in half, and press. Take your folded fabric and pin along the open edge. When you reach the ends remember to tuck the raw part to the inside. To finish, simply sew along the edge to secure everything.

Adding the Waistband

There are a couple of things you can do when adding your waistband, it depends on the general look you’re going for.

Elastic Waist Shorts:

If you want to add an elastic to your waistband instead of a drawstring, simply pin your waistband piece around the waist of your shorts, good sides facing, and sew.

Note: You can either pin the waistband to itself first and create a loop before attaching it, or pin it in place around the shorts and sew the two ends together where they meet, trimming off the excess.

Essentially you’re doing the same thing, but pinning it to the shorts first helps you to know your measurement is a little more accurate.

Next, fold the waistband over, tucking .50″ (1cm) to the inside, and sew around the shorts, leaving a gap to feed the elastic through. Cut your elastic to your desired length then use a safety pin to feed one end of the elastic through the first hole and out the other. Sew the two ends of the elastic together. Finally, close the small gap you left unsewn.

Drawstring Waist Shorts:

Alternatively, you can add a drawstring. To start, pin your waistband piece around the waist of your shorts, good sides facing, and sew. Next, find the center front of your shorts and make two marks for the drawstring to go through, about 2″ (5cm) apart.

With your spacing marked out, grab your buttonhole foot and sew two vertical buttonholes big enough for your drawstring to fit through. If you need more instruction on sewing buttonholes, check out this post.

Next, fold the waistband over, tucking .50″ (1cm) to the inside, and sew around the shorts. Use a safety pin to feed one end of the ties through the first hole and out the other.

To finish the drawstring waist shorts, simply create a double-rolled hem around each leg hole and sew.

Ruffles Option:

If you want to add ruffles to the legholes, instead of creating a double-rolled hem on the leg holes, create a double-rolled hem on your two long stripes of fabric. Next, sew a row of gathering stitches along each strip of fabric. Gather both to the circumference of your leg holes and sew the ruffles closed into a loop. Starting with one leg hole at a time, pin the ruffle loop good sides facing to the shorts, then sew, finishing the raw edge. Repeat this step with your other leg hole.

Finished Results

The only real downside to these shorts is I didn’t get a better picture of them. I still love how they turned out, and best of all, she enjoyed wearing them!

I am super happy with how these four scrap fabric sewing projects turned out! Which one would you make first? If you make some scrap fabric drawstrings you’re going to have to show me pictures.

I can’t wait to see your project. Remember to tag and DM me on Instagram @doorsandfloorsblog so I can see what you make! Remember to use the hashtag #DoorsAndFloorsBlog

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P.S. Looking for a fun activity you can do with a friend while working on tedious crafty tasks, download our free trivia here.

Playing trivia is a great way to keep your mind active and have fun with your crafty friends and family while busting out those seam ripping, crocheting, and other time-consuming, but necessary, crafty tasks.