PDF patterns for baby shorts

PDF pattern for baby shorts: sew from newborn to 24 months

Shorts are one of the first items you’ll sew for a baby, and for good reason. They require very little fabric (50 to 70 cm of 150 cm-wide fabric is enough for a 6-month-old), take around 1½ hours to make for a beginner, and allow plenty of room for error when it comes to the finishing touches. The PDF patterns for baby shorts allow you to choose the right size precisely and to adapt the project as your child grows, without having to buy anything new.

Choosing the right size for baby shorts

The main difficulty with sewing for babies is that manufacturers’ sizing varies from one brand to another. On a PDF pattern for baby shorts, the size is determined by the actual hip measurement, not by a theoretical age. As a general rule: 44 cm hip circumference for newborns (size 50), 49 cm for 6 months (68), 52 cm for 12 months (80), 56 cm for 24 months (92). Measuring your baby rather than relying on the stated age avoids unpleasant surprises when trying the garment on. A baby in the 98th weight percentile at 3 months may already need a size 68.

For nappy-friendly shorts, most patterns offer a specific version with an extra 2 to 3 cm around the hips and a slightly higher crotch. Check for this option in the description before buying if this applies to you.

What fabric to use for sewing baby shorts

Cotton jersey at 180–200 g/m² is the most reliable choice for a beginner’s baby shorts pattern: it stretches in both directions, cuts cleanly, can be washed at 60°C, and doesn’t fray. Double gauze (100 to 120 g/m²) is lighter, ideal for summer temperatures of 25°C and above, but it tends to slip during cutting and requires more careful stitching, using an overlock stitch or a tight zigzag stitch. It improves with every wash and becomes softer after the third or fourth wash. Lightweight sweatshirt fabric or French terry (200 to 250 g/m²) is suitable for indoor shorts or outings at 18–20°C, provided you can find a fabric that isn’t scratchy on the reverse side.

For stretch fabrics, the recommended waistband elastic is generally a 2 cm flat elastic for sizes newborn to 6 months, and 2.5 cm from 12 months onwards. Cutting the elastic to 90 per cent of the child’s waist measurement ensures the right tension without being too tight.

What the PDF format changes in practice

A downloadable PDF pattern for baby shorts is available immediately after purchase, with no delivery delay. You can print it either as a series of A4 sheets (tape the sheets together; allow 6 to 10 sheets depending on the size), or as a large A0 print at a print shop for €0.80 to €1.20 per sheet. Most files are supplied with both options. The main advantage is that the file remains in your library. You can cut out the 6-month size today, the 12-month size in four months’ time, and the 18-month size in the autumn, without having to reorder.

The patterns offered here include detailed assembly instructions with diagrams. Most are suitable from the very first few months of sewing, provided you know how to use a zigzag stitch or have an overlocker for stretch fabrics.

Stitches to be aware of

A pattern for baby shorts usually consists of four pieces: two fronts and two backs. The assembly follows a specific order: sew the crotch seams before the inner leg seams, then attach the elasticated waistband last. Reversing this order is a classic mistake that forces you to unpick an hour’s work.

The leg hems can be finished either with a double fold – which is tricky on jersey – or with a 2 cm bias binding sewn onto the wrong side and then folded over. On double gauze, this bias binding finish gives a neat result without the need for specialised equipment.

• Standard seam allowances: 1 cm unless otherwise stated in the pattern
• Stitch for jersey: 3-thread overlock or zigzag stitch, 3 mm wide, 2.5 mm long
• Nappy-friendly shorts: look for patterns that specify a ‘with nappy’ version or add 2 cm to the hips
• Fabric requirements: 0.50 m (6 months) to 0.70 m (24 months) for a width of 150 cm

Complete your baby’s wardrobe

The shorts can be worn with a bodysuit, a top or a blouse. For a complete outfit, the collection sewing patterns for babies brings together the essential pieces for each season, from newborn bodysuits to light jackets. The newborn patterns cover sizes 50 to 62 with constructions suited to newborns, and the children’s trousers patterns extend the same construction basics up to age 12.