Today I’ll be sharing with you one of my favourite and most used sewing patterns for boys, the Tadah Longies Shorts. These shorts are a fun Spring project that you’re sure to make again and again. I’ve truly lost count of how many pairs of Longies I’ve made for my son, they are indeed that good!

Tadah Longies with belt loops, adjustable waist and functional faux fly front

 

Longies can be made with a simple elastic waistband or by using buttonhole elastic you can make the waistband adjustable to get maximum wear. You also have the option of creating a fully functional faux fly front (the faux fly is great when you’re not yet ready to insert a zip fly but still want your boy to feel grown up). With lots of pockets and optional belt loops they make the perfect pair of shorts, especially if you’re after something a little more detailed than a simple pair of shorts.

Tadah Longies with an adjustable waist and belt tabs

 

This pattern can be used to make some very smart, formal shorts but by using different fabrics and leaving off some of the extra options they make the perfect casual shorts for active little ones. They look great in quilting cotton or use drill fabric to make them extra sturdy. I think these shorts would look equally gorgeous in a beautiful floral print for our lively girls as well.

Simple Tadah Longies in drill fabric

 

As with all Tadah patterns the instructions are beautifully clear with fully illustrated diagrams that make it super easy to follow along. They’re designed to be a long length short but it’s very easy to shorten the legs if you’d like an above the knee look, however I do like that the original longer length can give you more wear time before they’re outgrown.

I love the clean finish that this pattern gives and the double topstitched seams make these shorts particularly durable even for the most active kids. My son is very hard on his clothes but continues to outgrow his Longies well before they get the opportunity to fall apart. Now that’s some very tough little shorts in my opinion!

Fully approved for crazy fence climbing

 

This pattern has no printing layers, meaning you need to print all sizes and either cut the size you need or trace your preferred size onto tracing paper. These shorts are quite a slim fit which works well for us but may not suit all body types.

My son has already put in an order for some trendy Spider-Man shorts for Spring and I’ll no doubt be pulling out this brilliant pattern once again!

Pattern – Tadah Longies
Size range – 6mo to 10
Seam allowance – half an inch
Printing layers – no

Happy sewing 🙂

– Melissa F