Best Kids Shorts Sewing Pattern

The great thing about sewing patterns is that you can print them out in 2013 and then find them again in 2016 and they are just as fantastic. The kids you made them for might be ALMOST IN COLLEGE, but if you're lucky you've made another small human that needs some kick-ass shorts. This is The Best Kids Shorts Sewing Pattern!

I call these the Ziggy Stardust Shorts - made this pair in 2016

Back in 2013 I was asked to hold a small kids sewing camp at a client's house for their two kids and some friends. I already had taught at a few camps, but this was my first boss-time experience. I decided to rebel against my soft sculpture habits and go big for this 4-day workshop. We're gonna make something to wear!

Apparel is.. complicated. It is. It requires phyiscal space to lay things out, and keeping lots of info in your brain at the same time. I was a little nervous about doing this project with kids, especially ones I hadn't already taught the basics to. But I found a really lovely pattern from theMadeEveryday blog for kids shorts. You can still find this pattern online, and I recommend it fully. It's a digital download you print yourself and tape together. At the simplest form, this is a 4-piece pattern. You can skip the pockets if you're feeling antsy about too many steps (but I highly recommend patch pockets as an easy compromise.)

This is definitely a beginner pattern, but that being said, you can zhujh it up and make it kookoo-bananas complicated if you want, by making it out of patchwork or finishing the interior seams real fancy. It's simply a great sewing pattern.

Kids that are IN COLLEGE NOW!!!

Last week I was in an apparel mood and looked through my disorganized bin of patterns-- I refound this! Muscle memory took over as I remembered how to make these-- because I'd taught other people to make these.

Sewing camp participant in 2013 making a pair of Made Everyday Kid Shorts - that machine is the one you'll get your lessons on, too.

This is a pattern for woven fabrics, and the only notions you need are 3/4" elastic. Once you make one pair, you'll want to make ones for every kid you know*.

Pair made in 2026

If you are interested in learning how to sew and are in the Bay Area, you can book an introductory machine sewing lesson with me any time that's convenient for you. If this shorts pattern is enticing for parents and other caretakers, we can do it together during a Project Consultation.

*Kids Shorts by Made Everyday come with sizes 10months to 10 years old.