How to Sew a Cute Shorts and Top Set

They're perfect for summer or lounging around the house.

I made my set by tracing around clothes I already own and I'm going to show you exactly how to sew shorts and a shirt in a cute coordinated set.

Tools and materials:

• 3.5 yards of fabric
• Button down shirt and shorts to trace 
• Fusible interfacing 
• 5 Buttons
• 2 inch wide elastic
• Ruler
• Tracing paper 
• Pins
• Tracing wheel (optional)
• Fabric marker
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Iron 
• Sewing machine

1. Shirt sewing pattern

Lay the shirt on your tracing paper. Trace the side seam from the underarm and the shoulder from the top of the sleeve to the edge of the collar. 

Use a tracing wheel or a pin to mark the position of the armhole, neckline and button placket.

Connect the holes to create the front shape.

Add 1.5 inches to the front edge for the button placket and mark the finished length of the shirt. 

Add seam allowances as shown. 

Fold the shirt in half lengthways to trace the back. Mark the armhole and neckline as before and draw in the position of the yoke. 

Mark the position of the back pleats. I would suggest making them closer to the center back than I did.

Draw the sleeve pattern using the same method, marking the finished length.

Trace the shape of the collar and the collar stand.

Add seam allowances to all the pattern pieces.

Trace the pattern pieces onto your fabric and cut them out.

Iron interfacing to the collar pieces and the button plackets.

2. Back

Pin the back pleats into place.

Pin and sew the back yoke to the lower back section.

Press the yoke seam and top stitch it.

3. Princess seams

To make princess seams, sew the main pieces together close to the edge with the wrong sides facing.

Turn the pieces inside out so the seams are on the inside and press.

Pin the seams in place and sew them half an inch from the edge.

Attach the back to the front at the shoulders and side seams with princess seams.

4. Sleeves

Sew the main sleeve seams.

Pin and sew the sleeves into the armholes with the right sides together. Finish the raw edges.

Hem the sleeves with a double fold hem.

5. Collar

Press the edges of one collar stand in by 1/4 inch.

Place the collar pieces together with the right sides facing and sew along the sides and top edge.

Trim the corners and turn the collar right side out.

Pin each side of the collar stand to the collar and sew them together along the curved edge. Turn the collar stand right side out and press.

Pin and sew the outside of the collar stand to the right side of the neckline.

Fold the stand to the inside, press and topstitch in place.

Topstitch along both sides of the button placket and the collar stand edge.

6. Finishing

Hem the bottom of the shirt with a double hem.

Add buttonholes and buttons to the front plackets.

7. Shorts sewing pattern

Fold the shorts lengthways. Pull out the front seam and trace around the front of the shorts on to the fabric.

Refold and trace around the back, adding a few inches of ease. Add seam allowances. Cut two fronts and two backs.

Cut 4 pocket pieces.

Cut two waistbands, each twice the length of the top of the shorts pieces by 5 inches deep.

8. Shorts

Join the center front and center back seams.

Pin on and sew the pocket pieces.

Join the inner leg seams and the side seams, sewing around the pockets.

9. Waistband

Join the waistband pieces along the short edges.

Pin and sew the waistband to the top edge of the shorts with the right sides facing, matching the side seams.

Fold over the top edge of the waistband 1/4 inch and fold it to the inside. Pin and sew it in place, leaving an opening to insert the elastic.

Cut the elastic to fit your waist.

Insert the elastic into the waistband. Sew the ends together and sew the opening closed.

Sew two rows of stitching around the waistband, stretching the elastic as you sew.

Hem the shorts with a double hem.

How to sew a cute shorts and top set

I really enjoyed making this set and it turned out so well! I used a linen fabric but almost any non-stretch woven fabric would work well for this. I think I might make another set in gingham or seersucker.

Please let me know how you get on.