I made some wee pants/shorts out of a dollar store dish towel, inspired by the dish towel toddler skirt at Filth Wizardry (but I don’t have girls!) and a how-to at Rookie Moms about how to make toddler pants out of a t-shirt. I was hoping they would be fun shorts for my two year-old, but they were a bit of a craft fail in that area (too tight!). They look like they would fit babies from newborn to 12 months.

shorts15

Dish towels come in different sizes at the dollar store. The one I used (had it on hand) was 15×26″. I’m pretty sure you can find larger ones at the dollar store, so next time I go I’ll pick up a bigger one and try again.

This is my Make Something Cool Everyday for today! And I even have a tutorial for you!

Project Materials:

  • Dish towel, $1
  • Elastic, $1 or on hand
  • Scrap fabric for pocket (optional), on hand

Total cost: $1 and up

To make:

shorts01

shorts02

1. Cut a dishtowel in half.
shorts03
2. Line two pieces up together with right sides together and good seams facing down. Fold in half. Cut a curvy cut out.
shorts05
3. Take rectangular pieces of scrap fabric and fold about 1/2″ in around the outsides and iron. Fold over an additional turn on top of pocket. Sew a seam across top of pocket.
shorts06
4. Pin pocket to right side of shorts pieces. Sew around sides and bottom, leaving top open.
shorts04
5. Place pieces of shorts together, making sure right sides are facing each other, and line up.
shorts07
6. Pin curved sections and sew.
shorts08
7. Clip curves to allow for more stretch.
shorts09
8. Open up shorts and shift, bringing sewn seams to the center.
shorts10
9. Take inseam part and line up together. Pin and sew.
shorts11
10. Fold top waistband over and pin. You are going to leave a small spot open for the elastic to feed through. If you’re forgetful like me, mark the spot with two pins so you don’t accidentally sew the whole waistband closed!
shorts12
11. To make elastic easier to feed through casing, attach a safety pin to the end. Feed through waistband casing.
shorts13
12. Tighten elastic to desired size, then put two pieces together and sew. Clip elastic, finish waistband casing seam.
You’re done! Try them on your kid and hope they fit!