Last year, I just took Ryan’s old work pants that were showing wear and had holes around places and shortened them into shorts for the summer. That worked brilliantly and was a great way to upcycle his clothes, but this last year Ryan’s pant size has changed and I don’t have any old work pants to shorten. If Ryan is to have any summer shorts, I need to sew shorts from scratch. Sewing patterns for men are pretty dismal and sparse especially when it comes to pants and shorts. Luckily, very luckily, I found a pattern that sews up really quick and looks great.
Details
- Pattern: Burda Style Pattern 7381 Shorts version A
- Fabric: 2 yards Robert Kaufman Kobe Solid Twill
- Size: 40 US / 50 Eur.
- Modifications: none
I was expecting to have to sew fully structured shorts with a zippered fly and straight waistband, because I thought an elastic waist was always going to look too amateurish. Surprisingly this pattern turned out great and looks great too. I made version A, which is just a basic short with a faux fly and in-seam pockets. I added my own belt loops after the fact.
The pockets are simple in-seam pockets and nicely fit in the shorts. Because they are sewn at the top along the waistband to hold them in place, the pockets don’t squirrel around inside the pants when you wear them. The pockets are a good depth too.
It took me less than an hour to complete these shorts, which is an added bonus. I can tell you already, Ryan will have a rainbow assortment of these shorts.
About the fabric, I made myself pants not too long ago using Robert Kaufman’s Ventana twill, which is a medium to heavyweight twill fabric (~8 oz). The fabric I used to make these shorts are also from Robert Kaufman, the Kobe twill, which is a lightweight twill fabric (~6 oz). Both fabrics wear well, don’t stretch-out too badly, and wash and wear really comfortably. I think my hunt for the perfect twill pant fabric is over.
Can’t say enough good things about the Burda Style Pattern 7381 shorts. I’ve been on a roll lately with great patterns and great fabric, huh? Let’s hope the luck continues. If you need a men’s basic summer short pattern, look no further.
HandmadePhD 