New Create Kids Couture Free Pattern Download: Aiden's Shorts

We are happy to announce another new Free Pattern Download by Create Kids Couture called Aiden's Appliquéd Shorts. This pattern is tagged as "All Boy" and they are great boy shorts. I am really glad to see that we offer a free pattern download for a boy's wardrobe but seeing as I have a girl I am going to just have to prove the tag line wrong. I girl-ified these shorts just a bit to show that not only are they awesome boy shorts but also pretty great for the girls out there. I omitted the appliqué because I wanted to use this pretty busy Heather Bailey Freshcut print and so I set it off with a much less busy Heather Ross Lighting Bug print as a side ruffle. I guess you can call these my Heather shorts.

I started by cutting out a size 3 short from the Freshcut which turned out to be a bit big for my 3 yr old but I don't mind because that just means she can rock these shorts next year too. Then I cut two 4 in. wide strips about twice the length of the shorts for my side ruffles. With RS together press the ruffle in half lengthwise and then stitch down the open side using a ¼ in. seam. Turn ruffle RS out and press flat centering the seam. Run the ruffle strip through your ruffler foot stitching down the middle, along the seam. I set my ruffle to pleat at 12 sts, but if you want more ruffles set it at 6. If you don't have a ruffler foot (see my post on the ruffler foot here) then you can run a basting stitch down the center and pull the bobbin thread to gather as much or a little as you like. Fold each short piece in half and press a center seam. Pin ruffle- seam side down- to the short along the center seam you just pressed. Stitch in place along the center, going over your ruffler or basting stitch. Trim ruffle. Follow remaining short instructions to complete your short.

If you opt for shorts in a solid color, you can add some kick with a butterfly or owl appliqué and ruffle in the same material. You can also add the ruffle just to the bottom or right below the elastic casing for some waist drama. It is also fun to play with the length of these shorts. I love having some longer shorts for my daughter; it really fills out her wardrobe. These shorts are quick and fun and a perfect complement to any little boy's or girl's closet. 

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