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 Sew-Along –Part Two: Slant Pocket and Zipper
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
- Shorts or Pants pattern
- Pattern making ruler or grading ruler
- Sticky tape
- Pencil
- Patternmaking paper
- Fabric for the shorts or pants
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.
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.
3. Trace three horizontal lines 1.5″ apart.
4. Cut off the paper at the third line and leave one inch on each of the sides.
Fold the paper back at line #1 so that the only number you see is #1.
Also shown here.
Turn the pattern around and fold the pattern to the front at line #2.
At the back of the pattern, you should only the #3.
This is the front view.
Use your ruler to trace the angle of the shorts or pants on both sides.
Follow the lines and cut of paper.
Unfold the pattern. Notice how the cuff has a zigzag shape where the shorts or pants taper.
This is what your pattern should look like. Next, repeat all the steps for the back of the pattern.
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!
Thank you for this pattern & tutorial.
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.
Can these be made with an elastic waist and not use a zipper?
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??
https://so-sew-easy.com/sewing-pattern-born/
All you have to do is copy/paste everything without the adverts into a word document
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
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.
Hi Sue, if you are planning to add cuffs, do it on the pattern it is much easier that way, if not is just a rectangle the width of the hem fold in half then sew, sew some stay stitch on the side seam to keep it from rolling down. There are many parts to the sew-along so be sure to have all the parts before starting the project.
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.
this is what i have longed for in a long while, you brought it right , thanks thanks again
It is my pleasure!
Great pattern, instruction makes it simple, and thank you for your generosity
My pleasure Claudia.
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.
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
Yes, I do realize That is missing and it will take me at least a week to edit the 12 hours of video footage I have. I am writing the tutorial “as we speak”. Check back on in a couple of days. Thank you, Vanessa!
I too am taking on this project for the palazzo pants. So glad you are going to do.
Thank you.
The picture for step 1 is not displaying properly.
Thank you, Carol, for letting me know, it is all sorted 🙂
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.
No, I have not done the palazzo yet, it is coming. Stay tuned!
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!