Bloomers/shorts from shirt sleeves TUTORIAL

[christephi]

I've made these shorts twice now from men's button-up shirts, but I suppose it'd work from t-shirt sleeves too...or a long-sleeved shirt.

I started with a shirt like this:


After cutting it apart at the seams and using the main body parts, I am left with the two sleeves:

(Here they're turned inside out and positioned with cut sides facing each other.)

My munchkin's diappered bottom is about 21 inches at the biggest, so I positioned my ruler across the top of the sleeves making sure it's at least big enough around to go over her little rear.

Draw a line. Cut on the line.

Sew up the center and run a basting thread around the top so you can gather in whatever excess there might be.



The first pair I made, I just turned down the top and ran elastic through, but it's kind of hard to do it smoothly at the center front and back. This time I used a waistband and it was MUCH easier and turned out much neater!

My munchkin's waist is about 19 inches, so I added a few and cut a waist band.

(I cut it straight across the bottom after this picture was taken...it's about 2 inches wide.)

Sorry I don't have pictures for this part...I got carried away when I was making it and forgot to stop and snap some shots!
     Sew the waist band across the short end with right sides together. Press down one long edge.
     Pin waist band to sleeves around the top with right sides together...use basting threads to take in excess to fit the waist band...sew.
     Fold down waist band covering seam and sew in place leaving a place to insert elastic.

You could also make a small opening in the bottom of what is now the legs and insert elastic on both sides to create a more puffy, bloomer-like pair. I keep intending to do it that way, but I'm too lazy and don't have an infinite supply of elastic, so I haven't yet!

Voila! A cute pair of bloomers or shorts to keep our little ladies modest! :-)


If your munchkin is significantly bigger than mine, I imagine you could use the sleeves just for the legs and make a much larger waist band to extend the upper part to fit your kid.

I hope these instructions are clear...just ask if you have any questions!

[camilaustral]

that's very creative
(and she looks so cute with your slippers )

[ScotSkipper402]

So clever! And what a way to teach your darling about living 'green'!

[mudmommy]

great idea.

[LindaEve]

Really clever idea! I'm about to make a cheytown dress for a friend's toddler - now I know what to do with the sleeves!