Pockets, Please!

By now, I think everyone knows that I love sewing. Most of my friends also know that I love to workout as well. Making workout clothes is do-able, (the first pair of workout shorts I made are one of my proudest accomplishment, since they were accompanied my a 60 pound weight loss) but not really cost effective. Unfortunately, the clothes you buy off the racks are sometimes lacking essential qualities, like pockets. Why do men's shorts come with pockets, but women's don't?

I live in the Garden State, run outside and don't really want one of those ipod holders tanned on to my arm!

Where am I supposed to put my phone or keys?

Men's shorts just don't fit right, mostly because they are too long. BRAINSTORM! Just make the men's shorts shorter!

Supplies:
-Men's athletic shorts
(I recommend lined ones.)
-tape measure
-pins
-marking pencil
-sewing machine
-thread
-scissors

Directions:

1. Decide how short/long your want your shorts to be. Mark the measurement with a chalk marker. (My chalk marker is from the quilting department, you can change the chalk color depending on the fabric.) I marked them 4" shorter, making them 5" shorter when I was done.

2. Stitch around the leg of your shorts to keep the layers together. Remember to pull the fabric taunt as sewing.

3. Trim the excess. Leave about 5/8" selvage for hemming.

4. Fold the hem up, twice and stitch down. By folding it up twice, you'll cover the raw edge, giving it a clean finish. I used a zig zag stitch to keep a nice flat finish.

5. Trim the strings, and you're done!

Not bad for a 30 minute project!

On a side note, I don't really like shorts. I would rather wear running capris, a tennis skort....even a swim suit. Why? I don't know. none of those have the options I needed, and are rarely practical if you're taking part in a running group.