These simple shorts are just made out of two rectangles of fabric. I set out to make shorts that are very basic to make and comfy.

Step 1: Supplies

Supplies:

Fabric of Choice
Sewing Machine or needle and thread (I have this Brother Machine)
Measuring Tape
Sewing Pins
Fabric Chalk

Step 2: Cutting and Sewing

Cut your rectangles. Measure twice, cut once!

For the size of the fabric, here is what I did.

For the width, I took the circumfrence of my thigh plus about 2 - 3 inches (probably better to do more than this). The extra inches will be for the side seams and for the crotch so that is why more is better. Mine got a little tight since I only did 2 extra inches.

For the main measurement here, you will need to go with either the circumference of your thigh or half the circumference of your hips, whichever is biggest.

For the length, I measured a pair of shorts of mine and added a few inches. The extra inches here is for the bottom seam and for the top where you will have the drawstring. You will probably need at least 2 inches just for the top.

My pieces were about 24 inches wide by 13 inches tall and after the fact, I wish it was bigger. Keep that in mind, these are meant to be comfy, so the looser and bigger, the better.

Serge the edges and then sew the two sides together.

*Since I learned more of what not to do while making these, I also drew pictures to try to show what to do.

** Dotted line means sew.

Step 3: Draw String Holes

This is the fun part if you have a sewing machine that makes button holes!

Measure so you are in the center of your piece of fabric. Offset by just about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch to each side of that and that is where the button holes will be. Next measure down.

As you can see in the drawing, measure about an inch down from the top and that is where the top of the button hole should start. My button holes were about 5/8 of an inch. They only need to be big enough to get the drawstring in and out.

Once you have the buttonholes, (looking at your shorts inside out) fold down the top of the fabric to just below the button holes and sew it down. This is the area where the drawstring will be.

Step 4: Bottom Hem and Crotch

Time for the bottom of the shorts. You should be looking at the shorts inside out.

Now I did the crotch like a triangle and that wasn't good. I do not know for sure if an arch is much better, but it should be at least a little better :)

Find the halfway point like you did with the button holes. Also decide how far down you want the crotch to start. You can see I do not have much space below the crotch and that is why I think it should be longer than I did it.

Once you have your crotch starting point, mark it. You are going to go off to the side a bit on each side like the button holes. You can see the drawings for what I think you should do. Don't sew the crotch arch too wide because you are cutting into your leg room then. That is why you might want to go wider than I said.

Sew the arch, then cut up the center without cutting into your sewing. I didn't have a lot of room so I used fray check on it. If you can serge it, do that.

Once the crotch is done, fold up around the legs and sew the seams. Nothing special, just fold them up and sew.

Step 5: Draw String

Okay, this is easy. Get your iron out.

First, decide how long you want your drawstring. I took the measuring tape and tied it in a bow around my hips to get a rough estimate of the length. Mine was about 50 to 60 inches. My pieces weren't long enough, so I took two and sewed them together. Cut it about 2 inches wide, no wider.

Once you have your long piece, fold over and iron the ends.
Fold in both long edges to the middle and iron them down.
Fold the long edges together and try to iron it. It wouldn't really stay for me.
Pin the drawstring.
Sew down the string. Make sure you get all the layers.
Sew the ends, if you are able.

Turn your shorts right side out.

Time to put the drawstring in your shorts. Attach a safety pin to one end. Stick it in one buttonhole and string it all the way through the space provided until you reach the other buttonhole. Be careful at the sides, you don't want to pull out your stitches.