Patterned Shorts DIY

Today I have another post of a project where I've used a free pattern to make a really cute piece. This time it's shorts. I'd found a maternity top at the thrift store that immediately brought to mind this pattern I'd happened across and knew that I needed to snatch it up. This was one of the tops I picked up in June for $2.50, but failed to photograph.

Here's a really bad picture of the top chopped in half (sans velvet ribbon ties) and the pattern pieces. Lighting has become an issue now in my sewing area as the trees are full of leaves and the light is essentially gone :(. But I love seeing trees out my window :).

The shorts pattern can be found here at Elle Frost, a fashion blog with inspiration and diys, and if you jump over you'll see that the final product is different from my own. I'll explain why along the way ;).

The bottom border was what sold me on this top as the perfect piece to become shorts. The top had pleats in the front and the velvet ties would create definition just above a baby bump, so I used that line and the elasticized back as the point at which to cut. This leaves me with the top part to use in another refashion :). The pattern pieces (after having printed, cut out, and taped together) were laid out on the bottom piece of fabric and I used them 'loosely' as a guide when cutting out the pieces for my shorts. I didn't want to do more sewing than necessary, so I kept the side seams of the top intact and opted out of making the rounded hem and side slits that the pattern calls for. Then, all I had to sew was the front and back seam, the legs and the waistband (with elastic). Super easy! Here's how they turned out.

This is my first pair of patterned shorts and I love them! They're light and comfy for lounging around, but also for being out in the heat. I did add a little bit to the width of the pattern pieces as I knew I wanted them to fit loosely. Can't wait to make an actual copy of the original pattern with some leftovers from my stash! Hope you stop over at Elle Frost for this free pattern and more fashion inspiration :).

I think I've finally gotten my sewing bug back, so I'll be posting a few more projects this week. But summer with a little boy has us outdoors almost all day long (I'm not complaining) and very little time/energy for sewing. Hope you like and if you make your own pair, why not share it with me ;).

Peace,
Andrea

Floral Giveaway Shorts: Lengthening

I posted about this thrifted outfit I won through a giveaway this past Friday, then showed how I would wear the crop top. Now it's time to tackle these too-short shorts :).

This was a really simple change. I unpicked the hem and found that I could lower the shorts by two inches as long as I used a tiny hem to finish them off. In fact, these were a longer length (shorts, capris or pants) at one point! Someone else had cut them off and shortened them.

I ran the raw edges through my machine using an overlocking stitch to finish them off and snipped any bits of frayed fabric.

I then folded over a tiny hem and straight stitched all the way around each leg.

The last step is to iron them, but for now they are sitting in a pile of things I'll iron later this evening when it isn't so hot. Here's how they look now...much better! Normally I will change things up by bringing the length up, but if you've got enough of a hem allowance, there's always the chance to bring the length down as well!

I'm still not completely sure about these shorts, to be completely honest. They aren't my style, so I think I'll play around with them a bit to see if they start to grow on me. If not, I'll pass them on to someone else who would love them!

Peace,

Andrea