Easy Womens Boxer Shorts DIY (Free Pattern!)

by Elizabeth / Saturday, 28 January 2017 / Published in DIY Tutorials

Creating your own clothing can be incredibly rewarding, especially when it comes to comfortable basics like boxer shorts. This guide provides a simple, step-by-step approach to sewing your own pair of women’s boxer shorts, complete with instructions for creating your own pattern.

Why Make Your Own Boxer Shorts?

Making your own boxer shorts offers several advantages:

Custom Fit: Tailor the fit to your exact measurements for ultimate comfort.
Fabric Choice: Select your preferred fabric, from breathable cotton to luxurious silk.
Cost-Effective: Often cheaper than buying ready-made boxer shorts, especially if you have fabric scraps to use.
Creative Expression: Choose fun prints and patterns to express your personal style.

Gathering Your Supplies

Before you begin, gather the following materials:

Item	Quantity	Notes
Fabric	Approximately 1-1.5 yards (depending on size)	Choose a lightweight to medium-weight woven fabric like cotton, flannel, or silk. For a luxurious feel, consider silk fabrics.
Elastic	1-1.5 inches wide, enough to fit your waist	Knit elastic is recommended for comfort.
Pattern Paper or Newsprint	Large sheet	For drafting your pattern.
Ruler or Measuring Tape	One	For accurate measurements.
Scissors or Rotary Cutter	One	Sharp scissors are essential for clean cuts.
Pins	A box	To hold fabric pieces together before sewing.
Sewing Machine	One	A sewing machine will make the process much faster, but you can also hand-sew.
Thread	One spool	Matching your fabric color is recommended.

Creating Your Pattern

This method uses your existing well-fitting shorts as a base to create the pattern.

Prepare Your Shorts: Lay a pair of well-fitting shorts flat on your pattern paper. Ensure they are smoothed out and wrinkle-free.
Trace the Front: Trace the front half of the shorts onto the paper. Add seam allowances (approximately 1/2 inch) around all edges.
Trace the Back: Fold the shorts in half and trace the back half onto the paper. Add seam allowances to all edges. The back piece will generally be slightly larger than the front.
Add Crotch Curve: Smooth out the crotch curve on both the front and back pattern pieces. This is a crucial step for comfortable fitting.
Add Elastic Casing: At the top of the pattern pieces, add an extra 2 inches for the elastic casing.

Cutting Your Fabric

Pin the Pattern: Pin your paper pattern pieces to your chosen fabric.
Cut the Fabric: Carefully cut out your fabric pieces along the pattern outlines. You should have two front pieces and two back pieces.

Sewing the Boxer Shorts

Sew the Side Seams: Pin the front and back pieces together along the side seams, right sides facing. Sew along the pinned edges.
Sew the Inseam: Pin the front and back pieces together along the inseam (the curve between the legs), right sides facing. Sew along the pinned edges.
Create the Casing: Fold the top edge of the boxer shorts down twice, creating a casing for the elastic. Sew along the bottom edge of the folded fabric, leaving a small opening.
Insert the Elastic: Measure your waist and cut a piece of elastic to that length, adding an inch for overlap. Use a safety pin to thread the elastic through the casing.
Secure the Elastic: Overlap the ends of the elastic by about an inch and sew them together securely. Then sew the small opening in the casing closed.
Hem the Legs: Fold the bottom edge of the leg openings up twice and sew a hem.

Finishing Touches

Trim any loose threads.
Try on your new boxer shorts!

Fabric Considerations

Choosing the right fabric is essential for comfort.

Fabric Type	Characteristics	Best Use
Cotton	Breathable, soft, durable, easy to care for.	Everyday wear.
Flannel	Warm, soft, cozy, good for colder weather.	Loungewear, sleepwear.
Silk	Luxurious, smooth, lightweight, breathable, temperature regulating.	Special occasions, sleepwear, warm weather wear.

With a little time and effort, you can create comfortable and personalized boxer shorts that fit you perfectly. Enjoy your new handmade creation!