first REAL post

hi there! i've never written a tutorial before, so this should be interesting. i chose a fairly simple project though,  so i'm thinking i can't mess this up too much! :P

here's what you'll need:

-a pair of shorts or pants

that you're willing to cut up

-paper to make a simple pattern

-pins!

-something round to trace that is the 

size you want your scallops to be

-fray check or something similar

-a piece of cardboard

-scissors 

for my shorts i actually started with these hand-me-down capris that clearly don't fit.

i turned them inside out, pinned them and sewed in the adjustments 

that would make them look less ridiculous on me. 

(yes, my current sewing table is the floor.)

anyway! for those of you fortunate enough to fit into your pants, this is where things become relevant.

cut the pants so they are slightly longer than the length you want to end with. the scallops rise enough to make the shorts shorter than most intended. 

next, you'll gather up a pencil and paper, and something to trace to make the scallops. i used a small votive.

trace yourself a pattern that is long enough to wrap around the entire leg of the shorts. it's helpful to measure first, because you may end up with your last scallop being messy if the lengths don't match up.

now you pin the pattern onto the shorts. i like to start with the inside seam, just in case the first and last scallop don't match. it's much less noticeable. cut carefully around your pattern (or trace the pattern on, if you desire)

remember that the way you cut will be your final product, so it's okay to get a bit obsessive here. 

after you're done cutting, slide a piece of cardboard between one of the legs. use the fray check to trace along the edge of the scallops, which will ultimately keep them intact. 

at this point, the edges will probably look something like this. don't worry! once it dries you shouldn't be able to see the fray check at all. (drying shouldn't take more than a half hour)

you're finished! slide a ribbon around your waist and tie a cute bow. 

you are now free to frolic in your super cute shorts :)