PDF patterns for men’s shorts

PDF patterns for men’s shorts: cut to fit your body shape

Finding ready-to-wear shorts that fit properly is often a challenge: brands tailor for a standard body shape that doesn’t match anyone in particular. A PDF pattern for men’s shorts solves the problem at source. You choose the inside leg length, adjust the waist height and select your fabric. The result is a garment that sits comfortably at the waist without constricting the hips, and whose length matches exactly what you actually want to wear.

The styles in this collection cover the most popular silhouettes in men’s fashion: classic Bermuda shorts with an elasticated waistband, cargo shorts with patch pockets, straight-leg shorts with a buttoned fly, and shorter versions suited to physical activity. Each style is designed for a specific purpose.

Bermuda shorts, cargo shorts or sports-style shorts: the differences that really matter

Bermuda shorts end between 3 and 5 cm above the knee, giving an inside leg measurement of 20 to 28 cm depending on the size. This is the most versatile cut, and the one people usually sew first because it tolerates slight inaccuracies in the seams without it being noticeable. Cargo shorts generally reach the same height, but the patch pockets on the thighs require an extra 15 to 20 cm of fabric and precise marking to ensure they remain functional rather than merely decorative.

Casual shorts with a fully elasticated waistband can be sewn twice as quickly as a style with a fly: allow 2½ to 3 hours for Bermuda shorts with a zip, compared to 1 to 1½ hours for elasticated shorts. If you’re new to sewing men’s clothing, start with the elasticated style. You can practise making the fly on a second pair, once you’re familiar with the cut.

Cotton, linen or lightweight gabardine: the fabric determines the success of a men’s shorts pattern

Cotton remains the safest choice. A cotton twill weighing 200 to 280 g/m² retains its shape after washing, withstands close-cut seams and doesn’t slip under the presser foot. Wash and dry it before cutting: shrinkage can be up to 5 per cent in the warp direction and 3 per cent in the weft direction, or 1.5 cm over a length of 30 cm. Cutting without pre-washing means accepting that the shorts will shrink the first time they go in the washing machine.

Linen requires more care. It frays quickly at the cut edges and needs to be overlocked immediately after assembly. Its breathability becomes noticeable from 28°C: the fibres absorb up to 20 per cent of their weight in moisture without feeling damp. For linen shorts, choose a weight of around 150 g/m², which is lighter than for trousers. Lightweight gabardine, in cotton or poly-cotton weighing between 180 and 220 g/m², remains the recommended choice for cargo shorts: it withstands the abrasion from patch pockets and retains a neat drape even with multiple seams.

Print and assemble a PDF pattern for men’s shorts in no time

PDF patterns come in two formats: A4, to be assembled by gluing, or A0, to be sent to a print shop for large-format printing (expect to pay 3 to 5 euros depending on the shop). For a complete men’s shorts pattern, the A0 format saves 30 to 45 minutes of assembly time and reduces the risk of misalignment errors. If you’re printing on A4, always check the test square shown on the first page. It must measure exactly 5 x 5 cm or 10 x 10 cm, depending on the pattern. A printer set to ‘fit to page’ instead of ‘100 per cent’ will shift all the measurements.

The sizes available generally range from S to XXL, corresponding to European sizes 44 to 54. Take your hip circumference and hip height measurements before choosing: for shorts, the hip circumference is the key measurement, not the waist circumference. A difference of 4 to 6 cm between the two measurements is common and can be accommodated using the adjustment instructions included with each pattern.

Fit adjustments for sewing well-proportioned men’s shorts

The crotch depth is the most commonly overlooked adjustment. On a standard pattern, it corresponds to an average body type with a neutral sitting position. If you have a short pelvis or wide thighs, lengthening the crotch by 1 to 2 cm radically improves comfort when sitting and walking. The opposite is true for a more slender build: shortening the crotch prevents the unflattering ‘parachute’ effect.

For patterns for men’s shorts with an elasticated waistband, the width of the drawstring channel must match your elastic exactly. A 3 cm elastic in a channel designed for 2.5 cm creates tension that distorts the waistband after a few washes. Check the measurement before sewing, not afterwards.

Complete your handmade wardrobe with matching tops

A made-to-measure pair of shorts works best with a top whose proportions have been thought out with the same level of precision. Our selection of men’s T-shirt patterns features designs with lengths and armholes that are compatible with the cuts of the shorts in this collection. Sewing the two together guarantees consistent proportions – something no ready-to-wear combination can offer. To explore the rest of the men’s wardrobe available as PDF patterns, check out the men’s sweatshirts, the men’s coats and the men’s accessories.