Culottes from elastic waist skirt.

I had a number of knee length elastic skirts in the loft, no longer flattering to the mature body! But with the recent hot weather I needed something cool to wear in the house and garden. So having worked out how to make the skirts into shorts, here it is. I have no before pics, they were just, well, knee length elastic waist skirts that fitted me round the waist and hips.

Choose a skirt that is at least 25cm longer than the final length required, this is for an average size.
Also, the pattern will be turned at right angles, so bear this in mind before cutting!

Cut 25 cm from the bottom of the skirt for an average size. If it has a hem, let this down first, or cut it off if it's worn. Bigger sizes will need to cut off a bit more, very small sizes will get away with less.

Make any adjustments to the width at this point by stitching up the seam/s from waist to hem.

Decide on front and back, and mark the centre lines.

Using a comfy loosish pair of your own  trousers, measure the length of the back crotch seam, subtract 12.5 cm, measure down the centre lines of the new shorts and mark.

Cut up the centre line to the mark, or undo the seam if used. Turn inside out.

Take the strip you cut off the hem, turn at right angles. With right sides together, pin then stitch one long side of the strip up the front side of your cut and down the other, flattening it out at the top. Cut off when you get to the end.

Pin and stitch the other edge of the strip to the back cut. This forms a gusset which goes up the inside of each leg and across the crotch.

Hem the 2 legs.

showing the gusset

Cool culottes to wear with a camisole or T shirt for the house and garden, or as summer pj's.

Can also use a longer skirt, the principle is the same, but you will have to be a bit clever with the measurements.