City Gym Shorts for All Ages
I have enough expired memberships under my belt to finally admit that I am not a gym person. Although you may not find me sweating on an elliptical, I haven’t completely abandoned the idea of a workout regimen. I’ve just redefined the whole concept!
My StairMaster is countless flights of stairs scattered throughout my daily subway commute; my weights come in the form of two wriggling girls (often carried up the aforementioned stairs); and my hot yoga is just about anything I do in New York’s sweltering summer heat. My gym is the city itself, and my gym clothes are these City Gym Shorts!
Designed with a classic tulip hem and an easy elastic waist, these shorts have all the comfort and ease of traditional exercise gear but with way more style! I used Robert Kaufman’s Chambray Union in Slub Indigo for the back, a fabric that is soft, comfortable and so versatile it was easy to match it with a range of prints in Liberty of London’s exquisite Tana Lawn.
With so many beautiful Liberty prints to choose from and with sizes for kids and women, it looks like my sewing machine may be getting a workout too! -Corinne
Materials
Kids
- 1/2 yard of Liberty of London’s Tana Lawn Classics. We used, shown above from top to bottom, Katie & Millie Peach, Strawberry Theif Gray and Lodden Lavender.
- 3/4 yard of Robert Kaufman’s Chambray Union, Slub Indigo
- 1 yard of Braided Elastic – 1 inch, White
- A 110-yard spool of Gutermann’s Cotton Thread, color 9280
- An 18mm Bias Tape Maker
- A free Kids’ City Gym Shorts Template available here.
Women
- 1/2 yard of Liberty of London’s Tana Lawn Classics. We used, shown above from top to bottom, Katie & Millie Peach, Strawberry Theif Gray and Lodden Lavender.
- 3/4 (3/4, 3/4, 1, 1) yard of Robert Kaufman’s Chambray Union, Slub Indigo
- 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) yards of Braided Elastic – 1 inch, White
- A 110-yard spool of Gutermann’s Cotton Thread, color 9280
- An 18mm Bias Tape Maker
- A free Women’s City Gym Shorts Template available here.
Sizes
Kids
- To fit ages 2 (3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10, 11) with finished waist sizes 19 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) inches in circumference
Women
- To fit hip sizes 33-34 (35-37, 38-40, 41-43, 44-46) inches in circumference
Notes
Pre-wash all fabrics before starting.
To print the PDF template, be sure to first download the pattern and then print it. This means rather than simply clicking the link and opening the PDF in a browser window, you should click on the pattern link using the “right click” or “control click” option on your mouse or keyboard. This will give you the option to “Download the linked file.” Once the file is downloaded, it should print like a charm!
For the sake of clarity our instructional photos use Robert Kaufman’s Botanics + Architextures in Tangerine Hatches, a fabric with a clear right and wrong side, for the front panels (instead of the Tana Lawn). When you are working with a fabric without a clear right or wrong side, choose either side as the right side for the first seam and follow this precedent for all subsequent steps.
Pattern
Cut
Front Pieces
Use the prepared Template to cut two Front pieces from the Liberty. Cut one Front with the right side of the fabric facing up and one with the wrong side facing up. The two Front pieces should be mirror images of each other.
Back Pieces
Use the prepared Template to cut two Back pieces from the Chambray Union. (If you are using a fabric that has a right and wrong side, be sure to cut the pieces as described above so that the two Back pieces are mirror images of each other.)
Waistband
Cut one 4 ¾-inch wide piece for the Waistband from the Chambray Union. For Kids it should measure 23 (24 ¼, 26 ¾, 28 ¾, 30 ¾, 32 ½, 33 ½) inches long; or for Women, 36 ¼ (38 ½, 41 ¾, 45 ½, 48) inches long.
Bias Strips
Cut two 1 5/8-inch strips on the bias from the Chambray Union. For Kids each strip should measure at least 30 (33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48) inches long; or for Women, at least 48 (50, 53, 56, 60) inches long.
You may need to piece the strips to get the appropriate length. For detailed instructions on how to piece binding strips, please visit our Making Bias Tape Binding Tutorial.
Elastic
Cut the Elastic. For Kids it should measure 19 ½ (20 ½, 21 ½, 22 ½, 23 ½, 24 ½, 25 ½) inches; or for Women, 30 (32, 35, 39, 43) inches.
Piece the Front and Back Pieces
With right sides facing, stack the two Front pieces on top of each other. Pin along the concave edge of the inseam.
Sew along the pinned edge with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Sew along the seam allowance with a zigzag stitch.
Press the seam to one side.
Repeat with the two Back pieces.
With right sides facing, match up the short crotch ends of the Front and Back along the raw edge, making sure that the center seams line up, and pin in place. Sew along the pinned edge with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Sew along the seam allowance with a zigzag stitch.
Press the seam to one side.
Attach the Binding
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, use the 18mm Bias Tape Maker to press the bias strips into single fold bias tape.
Fold in half lengthwise, aligning the folded edges and encasing the raw edges. Press.
Pin the bias tape around the outside edge of the shorts, following the raw edge all the way from the top corner of the Front side, around the bottom hemline, and up the Back side, or vice versa. Use one strip for each side. With the right side facing up, sew the tape to the shorts with an edgestitch, making sure to catch both sides as you stitch.
Sew the Side Edges
With the right sides of the Front and Back both facing up, bring one Front side edge over one Back side edge so that the two bound edges are stacked on top of each other. Push the outer edge of the front about 1/8 inch towards the Back so that the sewn line of the Front bias tape runs roughly through the center of the bias tape on the back.
Working from the waistline down and using the line of stitching on the Front bias tape as a guide, sew the Front to the Back along this side edge. stop sewing when you reach the top of the curve of the bottom hem. Backstitch at the end of the seam.
Repeat with the other side.
These are now the Shorts.
Sew the Waistband
Fold the Waistband piece in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press to create a crease. Open up the fold. Now, fold the two long raw edges in towards the wrong side to meet at the center crease. Press the folds. Refold in half lengthwise, aligning the folded edges and encasing the raw edges. Press again.
Open up the folds at the two short ends. With right sides together, stack the ends together, matching up their raw edges. Pin in place. Sew along the short edge with a 5/8-inch seam allowance.
Press the seam to one side and sew it down with an edgestitch.
Turn the Shorts inside out.
Open one side of the waistband. With the right side of the Waistband facing the wrong side of the Shorts and matching up the seam of the Waistband with the center seam of the Shorts Back, pin the open raw edge of the Waistband to the raw waist edge of the shorts.
Sew the Waistband to the Shorts with a roughly 1 1/8-inch seam allowance, using the crease as a guide.
Now, turn the Shorts so that the right side is facing out. Fold the Waistband over the Shorts’ raw waist edge and pin in place.
Edgestitch along the bottom of the fold of the Waistband, leaving a 1 1/2-inch gap.
Attach a safety pin to one end of the Elastic. Insert this end into the gap. Pull the pin through the Waistband, exiting out the other side. Make sure not to pull the Elastic’s other end into the channel.
Checking that the Elastic isn’t twisted, overlap the two ends by 1/2 inch. Sew the ends together widthwise with a zigzag stitch.
Tuck the Elastic into the Waistband and close the gap with an edgestitch.
Your shorts are ready to wear!
Thanks so much! Great pattern d tutorial. I even did the bias binding myself (first time for everything!) I tried these & added a couple of inches in length & adore them! I used blue chambray & leftover liberty from a top I made (making, haven’t quite finished yet). Wish I could attach a picture to show you!
These are so adorable! I made them for myself using a plaid for the back piece and a coordinating paisley for the front. I used solid colored bias tape for the trim. They look expensive and designer. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern.
Thanks for this pattern! I made these a couple of years ago and wear them a lot, getting ready to make another pair❤
I can not find the pattern in this tutorial. I see PATTERN, but there is nothing to click on or download to print. Any suggestions? Thank you for your help, I would like to make these for my daughter and her college friends.
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for writing in! You can find link to download the pattern in the materials list above, or by clicking right here for the Kids template or here for the Women’s template.
Happy sewing!
Julianna
Can you provide link to download this pattern. I can print and download the instruction but unable to find the short’s template or pattern. Thank you!
Hi Lylan,
Thanks for writing in! You can find link to download the pattern in the materials list above, or by clicking right here for the Kids template or here for the Women’s template.
Happy sewing!
Julianna
Thank you so much ++++! I’m so looking forward to make these shorts for my daughter.
I want to make these, can you tell me how long they are in inseam?
Thank you.
Hi LeeAnn,
Thanks for writing in! These shorts have a fairly short inseam – only about 1.5-2″ for the adult sizes – but you can easily adjust the pattern to make it longer if you wish!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thank you I did add length, I am also making bias tape myself . Instructions say to cut 2 PC’s 60″ length and 1-5/8 wide so once the tape is folded what size is it? Mine came out 1/2 inch once all folds are made, is this right?
Thank you ?
Hi LeeAnn,
Yes, that sounds correct! After folding the bias tape in half, it should measure just under a half inch!
Best,
Julianna
I feel like the pattern pieces attached to this tutorial do not look like the ones used here. The front pieces on the PDF do not have as much of a curve.
Hi Alicia,
Thanks for reaching out! The pattern pieces attached are the same pieces we used to make these shorts!
Keep in mind that in order for the template to be printer friendly we had to dissect the pieces and you will need to tape the correct pieces together to get the full pattern pieces. Each piece is labeled, and will indicate which piece will be attached to which! For example, the front piece (D) will be attached to both pieces A and B for the complete pattern piece.
I hope this clears things up!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thank you so much!!
Im relatively new to sewing but was about to tackle these in muslin before diving into nicer fabric.
My question is: is there a reason the pattern is lettered (A-H) but the written instructions don’t include the letters for clarity sake?
Most commenters don’t seem to have this issue but I think it would help us newbies.
Thanks!
I guess I see now that we don’t use every part of the template? Which letters do we use?
Thx!
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for reaching out! The letters are to help you assemble the template. Before you cut anything out of fabric, you will need to cut out each piece of the template, which prints out over 8 pages of paper, and tape them together to form the complete pattern piece. Each lettered piece of the template has instructions on the edges telling you which other lettered piece to attach it to. When you’re finished, you will have two pattern pieces, one for the front of the shorts and one for the back, and can cut or trace off your size!
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Yes I had a friend explain it to me and felt like a dummy!
Thanks for the response.
These are super cute! My 12 year old wants me to make them for her but I’m unsure if I should do the kids or the women’s. The kids size stops at a 25″ waist and the women’s starts at a 33″ hip. She prefers to wear them on her hips but her hips are 29″ any suggestion on what I should do? I’m thinking it should be okay if I did the smallest women’s because the elastic should keep them up but I don’t want them to be bunched crazy.
Hi Andrea,
Great question! I think the smallest women’s size would probably be a good fit – you’re correct about the elastic holding them up! When measuring her hips for the women’s sizes, you should be measuring around the largest part of her hips, which is usually several inches lower than where the shorts would actually be worn. Just to be on the safe side, I would recommend sewing a muslin in an inexpensive fabric to make sure they will fit before cutting into your final fabric!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hello, I’m french so I’m sorry if my english isn’t very well.
I don’t find on the tuto if the “cutting marging” (I don’t know if it is the good word) is on the template.
Can you help Me.
Thanks a lot for this short it is very good.
Bye
Elise
Hi Elise,
Thanks for writing in! Our template includes the seam allowance, so there’s no need to add one!
Best,
Julianna
What a wonderful pattern and this is i was looking for. would like to know if i can use a stretchy fabric….thanks
Hi Monique,
Thanks for writing in! This pattern is written for a woven non-stretchy fabric, so it’s hard to say what exactly will happen if you try it in a knit fabric. Stretchy fabrics usually require a closer fit than woven ones, so you might be able to simply make a size or two smaller than you normally would. I would recommend trying a practice pair in an inexpensive knit to see how it goes!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi Monique,
I made mine using a 95% lycra and 5% polyester stretch knit with fold ever elastic binding just using the size I normally would and it worked well 🙂 I would say as long as your knit has good recovery and is relatively stable it will work! It’s a great pattern!
Sasha
hello thank you for offer this free pattern. I have click on the print link open and downloaded but all I seem to get is only the instruction. I am not sure what i am doing wrong. for the when i go to download and click pattern there is not pattern attached only 24 pages of instructions. please help please and thank you.
Hi Sharmaine,
I’m so sorry you’re having trouble with that! Let’s see if I can get everything working for you.
When you click on the Print link, are you seeing two icons with percentage values on the initial page you see? One should look like a T with arrows on the left for text, and the other looks like a mountain with a sun on top on the right. The T represents text or instructions, and the mountain represents images. The default is 100%. If you want to see all the pictures please make sure that is set to 100%.
I hope that helps. Please let me know if you continue to have any issues!
All the best,
Zha Zha
Thanks for explaining this! Never knew how to get rid of the pictures!
I have made these shorts 3 times now. I love the easy to follow directions. The shorts are so comfortable! I made myself 2 pairs with matching masks. I just made my sister a pair for her birthday. Please continue to share these wonderful garment sewing directions.
Hi Cristine,
Thanks you so much for writing in and for your kind words! I am so happy to hear that you love this pattern!
All the best,
Gianna
Hi
I love the pattern…..but I am stuck,
Sorry….newbie sewer….I cut out two waistband pieces….but the instructions appear to say I am to cut one long piece of different measurements? Would appreciate help walking me through the waistband:) thanks so much!
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for reaching out! For the waistband you should only cut one 4 ¾-inch wide piece for Women, either 36 ¼ (38 ½, 41 ¾, 45 ½, 48) inches long depending on what size you are making! The numbers within the parentheses correspond to the size you are making, the sizes are for WOMEN To fit hip sizes 33-34 (35-37, 38-40, 41-43, 44-46) inches in circumference. So for example, if you are making the Womens size for 35-37 circumference you would cut your 4 ¾-inch wide piece 38 ½ inches long.
I hope this clarifies things!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hey! I’d love to do this project but my hips are just a bit bigger than the largest women’s size, how do Increase the pattern?
Hi Korina,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes you can certainly adjust the size! You can expand the hip pattern pieces based on your measurements, I would assemble the pieces together and then all a bit to each side as necessary to achieve your size!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
The sizing on these is so small! There doesn’t seem to be any positive ease in the pattern at all, so the hip size you choose will be skin tight next to your hips – I made a pair to my measurements and will have to give them away to a teen. Not so good for those of us with curves 😕
Hi Erin,
Thanks for reaching out! We are very sorry that our pattern isn’t fitting comfortably. We really do appreciate that bodies come in all shapes and sizes and share your concern that patterns be as inclusive as possible, and I am happy to report that we are in the midst of expanding the size range of our patterns! We are steadily working to make sure this is true of all our patterns. Please be on the lookout, and thank you so much for adding your voice to this issue. We greatly appreciate your feedback!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hello,
Thank you for the very clear instructions and the shorts look lovely, but I don’t know how to download the pattern pieces.
I tried with the print button on the top of the instructions but only the instructions are printed. If you could help me I would really appreciate it.
Thanks.
Hi Ana,
Thanks for reaching out! You can find the template under the MATERIALS section of the pattern. Here is the Women’s template, and here is the Kids’s template !
Warmly,
Gianna
I tend to like to wear things below my belly button. where is this pattern designed to sit so I can choose my size accordingly 🙂
Hi Erin,
Thanks for reaching out! These shorts sit above the hips just below the belly button!
I hope this helps, happy crafting!
Gianna
hi, does the pattern include the seam allowance?
thank you 🙂
Hi Claudia,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, the pattern includes seam allowance!
Happy sewing!
Gianna
Hi there,
I absolutely love this pattern!!! I have made 2 pairs already and am now making another 2. All for my daughters lol
But I’ve been having problems with sewing the crutch together. They never seem to line up with the same width. I have no idea why. It makes it really hard to put the bias on.
I’ve been making my own bias too which makes the satisfaction even greater at the end for me 😉
Thanks for your help,
Alice
Hi Alice,
Thanks for reaching out about this. We’re eager to look into this issue for you, but it would help if we could have more information about your project! Can you let us know what size you’re making now, and what sizes you’ve made in the past? It would also help greatly if you could send over a photo of the pieces that don’t match up to customerservice@purlsoho.com, so we can better visualize what’s going on. I’ll keep an eye out for your reply!
All the best,
Lili
Hi
I am surprised by the sizes. I am an average, size Medium Dutch woman with hips. Hip measurs 112 cm, that is 44 inch and it means I would need the biggest size you offer?
I think it is a very good idea to include more sizes and to match them to maybe USA and European standard sizes.
I am afraid to start now, thinking it will be too small.
It is supercute though
Hi Marjolein,
We are very sorry that we don’t currently offer a wider range of sizes for this pattern. It looks like the largest size would definitely fit you though, so I don’t think it will come out too small!
We really do appreciate that bodies come in all shapes and sizes and share your concern that patterns be as inclusive as possible. We are in the midst of expanding the size range of all our sweater patterns and are happy to report that many of them now fit chest sizes up to 62-64 inches. We are steadily working to make sure this is true of all our patterns. Please be on the lookout, and thank you so much for adding your voice to this issue. We greatly appreciate your feedback!
All the best,
Lili
Hi
I love making the city gym shorts and have made them for adults and kids! Recently, I made the size 2 for a toddler and I was wondering if there are errors in the pattern. The inseam was teeny (like 1 inch!) it looked a bit odd. The length of the elastic called for also didn’t match with the waistband circumference so I ended up cutting the elastic shorter.
Would you consider re-looking at the 2 yr old version?
Thanks!
Hello,
Thanks for reaching out to us. I can confirm that the short inseam of these shorts is a design feature. The smallest size included in the City Gym Shorts has a 1″ inseam and a 19″ waist, but you can absolutely lengthen the inseam by adding an inch to the bottom of each panel. The elastic can also be shortened to fit a smaller waist size!
Please let us know if you have any further questions!
All the best,
Carly
I did this pattern at largest size using some old bed sheets. I had to double layer the fabric since it was so thin but had no bulky problems. This pattern works very well, all parts fitting well., instructions are very clear. Id judge this as 102- beginner difficulty. This pattern is not for thick thighs or round butts. Im a reg size 16 and could barely squeeze into these shorts despite being well within the size range. If youre round, size up. If youre above a size 14, Id look elsewhere.
Thank you for sharing your findings, Rux, and we hope you enjoy your shorts!
All the best,
Margaret
Merci beaucoup pour ce partage, je cherchais ce type de patron depuis un moment. Bravo pour ce tutoriel et les patrons.
A wonderful pattern and instructions with photos! This is a gem especially since it is free. I measured myself and made these shorts with the exact fabrics recommended. My waist measured just under 33″ so I made the smallest size. I used all the recommended seam allowances. Sadly, I can *just* wiggle into these shorts but they are uncomfortable and look too small. I will need to do what another commenter said and find a teen girl to give them away to. I greatly appreciate the time and effort it takes to provide a free pattern, though it seems like such a waste to make these beautiful shorts and not be able to wear them.
Hi Katie,
Thanks for reaching out, although I’m so sorry that your shorts came out too small! I noticed that you said you measured your waist to determine which size to make. However, our adult sizes are actually based on hip circumference, not waist circumference. If you give this pattern another try, I’d recommend choosing your size based on your hip circumference instead!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you for the pattern! Is ease built into the pattern templates?
Hi Nini,
Thanks for reaching out. The finished shorts will include about one inch of ease over the larger hip size listed – for instance, for the 33-34 size, the finished measurement will be 35 inches. You can determine the exact finished measurement for each size by checking the length of the Waistband piece and subtracting a 5/8″ seam allowance. And if you’d like more positive ease, I’d recommend sewing the next size up!
All the best,
Lili
Hi,
I’m obviously being daft but I just cannot find the actual pattern pieces to print off. When I download the pattern, I just get the instructions, not the templates. Can you help? Thanks,
Laura
Hi Laura,
Thanks for reaching out! You can find the templates under the MATERIALS section on this page. For quick reference, though, you can also access them at the links below:
Kids’ Sizes
Adult Sizes
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you so much !
Just made these for my daughter in a sunflower pattern. She loves them
My hips fit the 33-34 measurement, but does it matter that if I measure around my thighs, it is more like 35? Should I size up? Don’t want them too baggy, but also want to be able to get them on 🙂
Hi Lindsay,
Thanks for reaching out! The actual finished circumference of the waistband is larger than the measurements given in the size ranges to account for this. So you should be fine with the size you’re planning to make!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you!