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Save the Pants, Make Shorts!

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There are certain skills all mothers of boys need to have. We need to learn to always check the toilet seat before sitting down, ANYTHING long or pointy is fair game to be used as a sword (or light saber), and no matter how much you lecture, beg, and plead with them- they will tear holes in the knees of their pants. Today I write about the latter. I will show you my no-brainer way of taking pants to shorts without making them look mom-made.

Pants to Shorts

In our family, we have seven children; five of which are in private school, which means uniforms galore. Khaki pants and polo shirts to be exact.  My laundry room has three piles: dark pile, light pile, and mountain upon mountain of khakis.

First off, I can sew a straight line and maybe a button that has fallen off, but that is about the extent of my sewing skills. In other words, if I can do it- so can you!

Here is what you will need:

  • Pants that you wish to make into shorts
  • A thread
  • A sewing machine
  • Scissors
  • About 10 minutes

For pants with a tear in the knees, you will need to cut just slightly above the tear, otherwise just cut at knee length. Then tuck about a half inch of fabric under to create your hem. Sew a quarter of an inch from the bottom of the short leg, and now you have shorts.

Pants to Shorts

Using this method, I usually only have to buy a few extra pairs (if any) to make it through the school year and come next fall, we start the school wardrobe again- Fresh and clean… at least for the first few weeks.

This is just one of my many little mom-hacks that keep what little sanity I have left!

Do you have a mom-hack you’d be willing to share? If so, leave it in the comments section below!

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BreeAnna McManus

Friday 14th of March 2014

I think you are just asking way too much... Like come on... Sew a STRAIGHT LINE? jeeze....

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