Making Boxer Shorts & Inserting Elastic The Easy Way !

Making Sons Boxers Shorts !
A few years ago I brought some 100% cotton fabric remnants 2 x1 metre for 50cents each total $1 and made my three sons all a pair of boxers shorts each, there was enough left over to make Jack an extra two pairs. For the pattern I used an old pair of boxers shorts that one of my eldest adult sons had, that had worn out, so I cut & unpicked them to use for a pattern and the same with Jacks pairs, I had an old pair of shorts that were to small and did the same and enlarged them when I cut them out. I brought a roll of elastic for $2 so for $3 I made 2 adult pairs and 3 pairs for my 8 & 1/2 year old, that's good value. Especially when I couldn't even buy one pair for $3. This tutorial is to show an easy way to put the elastic in the tops. Most people sew the casing then thread the elastic through with a safety pin ,then sew elastic together then sew up casing,that's the long way of doing it .

Step 1.
After sewing the boxers together measure around the waist of the person the boxers are for. I measure and cut the elastic the same as waist measurement as they shouldn't be too tight,then I over lap the elastic about an inch and sew as shown in photo.

Step 2.
I over lock the top edge so I don't need to turn it under again, if you don't have an over locker you could zig zag or just turn under again. You will have your elastic in a circle lay it flat, I start at the back seam, I usually put a loop of ribbon or binding so you know the back from the front when putting them on.





Step 3.
Now fold the fabric over the elastic, make sure the material is folded a little more then the width of the elastic, so when you sew you don't sew the elastic as well, you will just feel as you sew.

Step 4.
As you sew around the top to in case the elastic,    you gently pull the elastic towards you as you gather up the back where you have sewn already ...very easy as you do it you will see what I mean.

Step 5.

That's the elastic put into the boxers completed.

Of course you can use this technique for putting elastic into any thing else that needs elastic. You will save so much time from the old way of doing it ,so easy & simple to do ...happy sewing every one ....