Free Baby Shorts Sewing Pattern + Bloomers

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Use the free baby shorts pattern and free baby bloomers pattern to make upcycled shorts! Reuse the hem of any shirt or patterns for a fast sewing project!
I’ve got a treat for you today! Now that it’s hot most days, I’m ready for baby legs. Meaning I’m ready for a free baby shorts sewing pattern + bloomers for my daughter, and I’m sure she is too. (Or she’s just ready for swimsuits all day long.)
I love bloomers and my daughter wears them as shorts all the time. I love bloomers paired with tunics. But I also love some basic shorts to go with her basic tee shirts.

Both bloomers were made with tee shirts. The denim shorts were made from cut offs of pants. The white shorts were made from the hem of a white embroidered tunic. I just love sewing cute little clothing for babies!
Do you love to sew? Try one of these sewing projects:
- Free baby sewing patterns
- Baby sewing projects
- Baby gifts to sew
- Free swim trunks sewing pattern for babies and kids
- Ideas to upcycle jeans
What is a PDF sewing pattern?
A PDF pattern is a sewing pattern designed on the computer and organized so that it can be printed on several letter or A4 size pieces of paper.
I love using PDF sewing patterns because if the pattern gets ruined or if my children or I changed sizes, I can always print it again. It’ll never be destroyed since I have a digital version!
How do you use a PDF sewing pattern?
Open the PDF on a computer and click print. When printing make sure that the scaling is set to 100% or no scaling so that the pattern prints at the correct size.
Once the pattern is printed it can be taped together to get the full size. Then the pattern can be cut for each pattern piece size or individual sizes can be traced so that the pattern can be used again and again. Learn how to use PDF sewing patterns.
What baby sizes are in the sewing pattern?
This baby shorts and baby bloomers sewing pattern comes in sizes 3 mos, 6 mos, 9 mos, 12 mos, and 18 mos.
What fabric is the best adult clothing to use for baby clothes?
For these shorts you can use jeans, pants, a t-shirt, and a woven or knit dress. They work with almost anything. You get to reuse the hem so make sure the hem is intact.
Should I prewash the item?
You should always prewash before cutting and sewing. You should always prewash to get rid of anything in the fabric that might irritate the babies and toddlers skin.
Free Baby Shorts Sewing Pattern + Bloomers
Supplies
- Free bloomers and shorts pattern for babies and toddlers- Find it at the end of the post
- Hem area of pants, shorts, or a tee shirt
- Sewing tools
- 1/4 inch elastic for hem* – here are some ideas for finding elastic to reuse
- 3/4 inch elastic for waist*
- Sewing machine
Do you just want the pattern and tutorial as a PDF? Get the pattern and photo tutorial for just $5. You won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. Or get the Pattern Bundle with ALL the PDF tutorials!
Tape pattern together and cut it out. Line up the bottom of the pattern with the hem of your shirt or pants.
For the bloomers option: (skip if doing shorts)
Cut two strips of elastic for the hem 8 inch for 3 mos, 9 inch for 6 mos, and 10 inch for 12 mos.
Use a safety pin to insert the elastic into the hem.
Do not pull the elastic all the way through. Pull it until the end lines up with the end of the fabric.
Tack with a straight stitch. Pull the elastic through to the other side and tack end.
Pull the elastic until the other end of the elastic is pulled out and tack it at the other opening.
For Both the shorts and the bloomers:
With right sides together pin and sew both curved sides of the bloomers. For knit fabric sew with a zigzag and for woven fabric sew with a straight stitch.
With right sides together sew the inseam together. It’s a short seam. Sew through the elastic ends.
From the outside of the fabric, sew the seam allowance towards the back.
Cut 3/4″ elastic 14″-18″ depending on the measurement of your baby. Sew the elastic ends together overlapping about 1/2″.
Divide elastic into four equal parts. Divide the waist of the shorts/bloomers into four equal parts. Match up the four pins with the elastic on the inside.
Sew with a zigzag stitching onto the elastic attaching it to the shorts/bloomers.
Fold the elastic and fabric over encasing the elastic inside the fabric. Sew with a zigzag stitch from the front about 3/4″ from the edge.
You finished!
Find the big list of all the upcycling tutorials I’ve created!
Get the Free Sewing Pattern here!
If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!
I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather
Totally just followed a Pinterest link here and did not even realize it was you until I saw Claire! This is exactly what I was looking for – going to make Faith a few of these 🙂
I have subscribed to mailing list but can't download pattern. Keeps telling me to subscribed and then already subscribed.
Did you do a straight stitch for the hem? Not a zig zag? It's hard to see.
I could not figure out how to do the waistband gracefully as per your instructions, so I defaulted to my standby method. Simply adorable.
super cute, I have a pair on my baby just like this today!
Need to print this off. I am getting a new niece this, and this summer and this will be the perfect gift, along with a couple of swaddle blankets!