Cheeky Shorts

Cheekies are a recent concept that's halfway between boy leg shorts and standard bikini bottoms. While they're just developing in swimwear, they're quite common in lingerie. They have a very low slung waist, wide square sides and expose at least half of the cheek. Seems like an odd combination in a time when things are constantly getting smaller.

The photos below are an early version of cheekies that I've run with for a few years. They form the pattern basis for skimpier versions and side gathered versions. Visually they are more like normal bikini bottoms with wider sides however their final construction is quite different.

This pattern is based on the size 10B/C one piece block (using 12% horizontal negative ease and 0% vertical ease). Before you start each step, click on the link marked "Illustration for this Step". A pop up window with an illustration for that step will help guide you through the instructions. At the end of each step your draft should match the illustration.

Step One

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Trace the bottom half of your one piece blocks. Extend the side seams down about 4-5 cm, but no more. Draft in a horizontal guide at this distance to ensure your front and back panels match. As this pattern requires a center back seam we need to take out 6cm from the gusset area, only this time we take it all from the front panel. Draft in a horizontal guide line on the front panel 6cm up from the crotch seam. Draft in a vertical guide line straight down from the narrowest part of the crotch. Duplicate this width on the back block as illustrated.

Step Two

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Draft in a waist line that mirrors front to back. This waist should be 1-2cm lower than a standard bikini bottom

Step Three

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Draft in the front leg line. The horizontal guide at the extended leg line and the vertical guide at the crotch should command the direction of the curve rather than drafting a smooth gradual curve. The back leg line should be smooth and gradual with the angle at the side seam dictated by the front leg line. Place the front and back panels against each other to check the leg line is correct.

Step Four

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Retrace the front and back panels. On the back panel draft in two guide lines as illustrated. Do the same to the front panel.

Step Five

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Separate the front and back sections. The guides on the back panel are used to create the center back seam curve. Instead of rotating the sections about a point on the leg line, this time we will rotate about a point on the side of each section. The guides on the front panel are used to open up the leg line here it crosses the tendon either side of the crotch. This makes the garment more wearable by stopping it cutting into the leg (which is also not a flattering look).

Step Six

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Rotate the sections of the back panel 10° about a point in the middle of side of each section (see illustration). Rotate the sections of the front panel 10° about a point on the waist line. Recurve all the lines smoothly.

Step Seven

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Remove unnecessary guidelines. If necessary retrace the front and back panels. Be sure to clearly label your pattern pieces with a title, panel name, size, cutting instructions, author’s name, date and revision number. Finaly, add seam allowance to the pattern based on how you intend to assemble it. I've shown this pattern with 10mm allowance for overlocked seams (8mm to blade, 2mm off cut) and 10mm allowance for folding over 9mm elastic.

Step Eight

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This step is just to show how to cut the cheek area higher without significantly affecting the front or gusset. Perhaps you might also be able to see that if taken to an inevitable end you'd end up with a thong.