Walking Shorts Sew-Along –Part Four: Adding Cuffs to Shorts or Pants

adding cuffs

 

In this fourth and final part of the Walking Shorts Sew Along, we will be adding cuffs to any pair of shorts or pants can be easily done if you follow the instructions below.

If you have missed the first three parts here are the links to take you there.  Please read thoroughly the first three parts so you are able to follow until the end of the sew-along.

Walking Shorts Pattern & Sew-Along – Part One

walking shorts pattern

Walking Shorts Sew-Along –Part Two: Slant Pocket and Zipper

walking shorts

Walking Shorts Sew-Along –Part Three: Waistband & Fly Front Zipper


Adding cuffs to any pair of shorts or pants can be easily done if you follow the instructions below.

The following instruction will be for both front and back of the pattern.  You can use any shorts or pants pattern in this tutorial.  If you feel like making a great pair of shorts check out this simple tutorial on how to make walking shorts.

Materials and Tools

Advantages of Adding Cuffs to Shorts or Pants

  • You get extra fabric to lengthen a pair of pants or shorts.
  • Extra fabric can be used to mend a rip in the pants.  I've actually done this a few times.
  • Elegance is added to the shorts, even when the shorts are very short. Cuffs can make them look chic, pair them with stilettos and you are ready for anything, including office work.

Adding Cuffs the Easy Way

Be careful when making these cuffs on your chosen shorts or pants, you must not forget to add leg tapers at the end.

We must replicate the angle with accuracy so the hem can be folded without pulling or bubbling.

1.  Place your pattern on the table and using a large ruler or your meter stick. Once the hem is sewn, trace a line where the shorts end.  This is marked below in red.

adding cuffs

2.  Cut the pattern following the red line and add a piece of paper that is wider than the pattern and at least 5″ long.

adding cuffsadding cuffs

3.  Trace three horizontal lines 1.5″ apart.

adding cuffs

4.  Cut off the paper at the third line and leave one inch on each of the sides.

adding cuffsFold the paper back at line #1 so that the only number you see is #1.

adding cuffsAlso shown here.

adding cuffsTurn the pattern around and fold the pattern to the front at line #2.

adding cuffs

At the back of the pattern, you should only the #3.

adding cuffsThis is the front view.

adding cuffs

Use your ruler to trace the angle of the shorts or pants on both sides.

adding cuffs

Follow the lines and cut of paper.

adding cuffs

Unfold the pattern.  Notice how the cuff has a zigzag shape where the shorts or pants taper.

adding cuffsThis is what your pattern should look like.  Next, repeat all the steps for the back of the pattern.

adding cuffs

There is another super easy way to sew cuffs like this.  I'm going to write it up in a second article.  A video explaining both methods would be best, and hopefully will be released soon!

Hope you have enjoyed this sew along and as always send in your comments and fitting challenges. I will be happy to address them in a separate tutorial.  Until next time!

Bookmark the permalink.
5 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

23 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jean Tanner
Jean Tanner

Thank you for this pattern & tutorial.

Wendy Hawkins
Wendy Hawkins

Thank you so much for this tutorial. It is so clear and easy to understand, I have never made shorts or put a fly zip in anything but I feel that with these instructions I can do this. Once again thank you for the time this must have taken.

KimberLee Torkko
KimberLee Torkko

Can these be made with an elastic waist and not use a zipper?

Connie
Connie

I am in the process of making these for the first time. I wish that I could print the instructions all in one paper, rather than having to keep coming back to these tutorials. Is it somewhere on the site and I have just missed it??

Bonita
Bonita
Reply to  Connie

All you have to do is copy/paste everything without the adverts into a word document

Beryl Callison
Beryl Callison

Great Pattern, Thank you. Where are the instructions to actually sew the cuff on the shorts? I can only see the bit about draughting the pattern, not actually how to sew them

Sue
Sue

I have come across this pattern during Covid lockdown here in UK 2021. I’ve read through it all. Watched the zip video as I’ve only ever done invisible zips in dresses. But I can’t see how to attach this final step Hoe to add the cuff. Maybe when I make up my mock version it will become apparent. It seems a great tutorial just reading through. When I can get out to buy fabric ill make the real thing until then an old duvet will be my mock up fabric. A big thank you.

Angela Sousa
Angela Sousa

Hi and thank you for creating this sew along. I was wondering if you ever created a second article on the super easy way to create cuffs and video showing both methods. I searched the site but couldn’t find it.

Maria Caroline
Maria Caroline

this is what i have longed for in a long while, you brought it right , thanks thanks again

Claudia
Claudia

Great pattern, instruction makes it simple, and thank you for your generosity

Eileen
Eileen

This has been a great sew-along, and a beautifully detailed tutorial. Thank you so much. I am looking forward to the part about lengthening the pattern for the palazzo pants.

Vanessa Peters
Vanessa Peters

Thank you Mayra for all of this series on shorts – it’s just what I wanted. My only query, after this last adding a cuff instruction, is how do I sew it once I’ve extended the pattern? Vanessa

stean2Anne-Marie

I too am taking on this project for the palazzo pants. So glad you are going to do.
Thank you.

Carol McMillan
Carol McMillan

The picture for step 1 is not displaying properly.

Toni Leggate
Toni Leggate

Thank you. A useful added feature. Did I miss the part where you were going to show how to lengthen the pattern for the palazzo pants mentioned way back at the beginning? I have reread all the parts I can find.

Lori
Lori
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Hello Mayra,
I love this tutorial and noticed that the instructions for converting the shorts to Palazzo Pants were promised in 2017 and it’s now 2023. Are the directions to be found elsewhere on the site?
Thank you so much for these wonderful tutorials and patterns!