Upcycled Patchwork Shorts

We have been busy around the house with quite a bit of tile work.  I finally got my kitchen backsplash, master bath, upstairs bar and other bath backsplashes done.  Now we just need to do some painting and clean up and we will be done!  Yea!

Pin It


I have had this project for my little boy in various stages of completion since I finished this Patchwork Tunic Top for my daughter.  I finally got these patchwork shorts done for him and boy is he happy!

The shorts were not difficult at all, just took a little more time than normal.

I used 5 t-shirts he had outgrown, my 4 x 4 omnigrid ruler and a rotary cutter and went to town cutting the shirts into 4 inch squares.  Depending on the t-shirt and where I placed the 1st cut, I got 12 to 18 squares from each shirt.  I got fewer squares on the shirts where I tried to preserve a design or word.

After I cut all the squares, I arranged them into a pleasing pattern.  I attempted to match up the sides, but I forgot to flip the pattern when I cut the two front pattern pieces. It ended up not mattering anyway...

Here is a photo of how I laid everything out.  I only pieced together the amount of fabric needed for the pattern:

Once I got everything cut out and pieced together, I sewed the shorts up like I usually do.  The shorts pattern I always use for him is McCall's 5419.  I use it so much, I traced the actual pattern out onto freezer paper.  It is so much easier to deal with than the tissue.

One thing I am especially pleased about is that I used my new ball point twin needle for the first time!  I LOVE THIS NEEDLE!  I tried to find one at Hobby Lobby and Hancocks with no luck, but I finally made the 45 minute trip down to Joann's and found one.  Click on the picture for a close up view of the hem.  The fabric did not even stretch out!!!  I can't wait to try it out on other knit projects.

He was very proud to get his own "photo shoot".  Though he did share the spotlight with a very special Princess.

If you are inspired to create something based on this tutorial, I would love to see it!  I have created a new Flickr Group for you to share your creations.  Here is the link: Creations inspired by Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.  (Please share, you might get featured!)

I will be linking up to some of the fabulous linky parties listed here:

Pin It