What we have done up to this point is added width to the crotch area and we obviously want width in the whole shorts leg. And the way to get that is what you see above. I needed to add 8 cm / 3.1 in to the back and 9 cm / 3.5 in to the front pattern piece. If I would have needed to add more width I would have cut up the pattern more but for these numbers I only cut each pattern 3 times. You cut all the way up until there is like 1 mm (in inches? Very little 😉 left and then spread the pattern part till you get the desired gap (you can see the numbers on the photo above).
Then you fill out the gaps by putting paper under and draw your new and now curved lower shorts edge with lots of width and you are now ready to cut and sew your shorts.
I have put on the measurements on the pattern parts for a size 3T* on the photo above and I hope you will be able to make them yourself.
Please note that the measurements above are WITHOUT seam allowances so please add that in the drafting process.
*You might wonder why I am showing you a pattern for a size 3T and then showing you photos of my 4.5 year old daughter who use size 5T. Weeeell, ideas has been flowing between Justine and I and originally I made a pair for my 2.5 year old who uses size 3. In the end we decided to focus on the (reversible) pair that Wilma is showing below. Don’t worry though I will show Evelyn and her pair of skirt like shorts next week.
Since I also own the GAP shorts in size 5 (yes, at least I did pay for the product and then copied liked so much I had to make more) I compared the size 3T and 5T and the only difference was the length of the legs that was 1.5 cm / 0.6 in longer than 3T. I decided to extend them further and make them 3 cm / 1.2 in longer than size 3T. Otherwise I kept them exactly the same.
And now it is time to head over to Sewing Like Mad for part two of this post that focuses on the sewing.
Thanks again Justine for playing along and coming up with some great ideas for improving this double post.
Hello thanks so muchfor this pattern. I have been looking for a culotes pattern for my 2.5 year old. I am just wonderin, do you cut the fabric curved as your pattern shows or do you make the top (waist line) and bottom straight? Thanks!
I like!