new shorts!

once again, i am breaking free of my strict ‘no pants’ wardrobe. i made a new pair of shorts for the weekend out of some stripey denim from my fabric stash and have been (aside from mosquito bites too close to my ass for comfort) very happy with the results! i used the first view from mc calls 9021, but had to shorten them a LOT more than where they suggested. bermuda length shorts on a girl who’s barely over 5 feet tall is never attractive, no matter what old navy tells you.

i also had to close the little pleat on the front because i, like most women, don’t want my britches to create the slightest illusion of a fupa.

 

looking at the pattern now though, it doesn’t look like they give you much of a choice besides camel toe or fupa. someone at mccall’s must have been drawing this up like, “hey, no one really likes flattering shorts, right? riiiiiiight?” but, i did get to use a cool button i found inside of a purse i got at a vintage shop! 

looks dangerously similar to a pepperminty treat… so, as always, more on my blog!

xoxo, 

christine

Two new tops and some shorts, just in time for July 4th!

I just finished a couple of other sewing projects, two ’50s tops and a pair of 1940s sailor shorts. I adapted a 1949 shorts pattern that I’ve used before to make the sailor shorts, just in time to wear them with my new shoes for the 4th!

There are a few more pictures and some more information about the patterns, etc on my blog. I hope that everyone is having a wonderful weekend so far!

-Evie

1980s Shorts

Today I finally finished a sewing project that crossed off a couple of firsts for me. My first vintage sewing pattern and my first pair of shorts. Making a pair of shorts was one of my goals for my 101 in 1001 and I am so happy I can cross it off my list. To start sewing with vintage patterns was one of my new years resolutions for this year. It has only taken me half the year to get started on that goal. Woops! I have another 2 in my stash I want to make as well before the year is out.

I used New Look 6252 which I bought from the op shop for $2. The material was purchased at Spotlight about a year ago and I can’t for the life of me remember what sort of fabric it is. I know it is something the usually use to make school shorts. It is extremely soft which makes them super comfortable.

For more pics check out my blog post at Petticoats & Peplums!

simplicity 5110: red high-waisted shorts

another piece of my summer wardrobe done! i have actually made this pattern (simplicity 5110) a couple times before, but was unhappy with the crotch fit. i finally figured out how to remedy that, and i couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome 🙂

other than the crotch adjustments, the only changes i made to the pattern was to double the width of the waistband & swap out the buttons for pants hooks & eyes. i love my new shorts, and i am super excited to have something to wear this sweet 60s embroidered crop top with 🙂

lots more photos/construction info at my blog, lladybird.

thanks so much for looking! ♥

Simplicity 2530: shorts

Here are a pair of red shorts I made from Simplicity 2530 a while back. 

I used a red twill and an invisible zipper on the side and made my own seam tape for the hem.

Please stop by my blog Creative Accomplishments for more pictures!

Vacation Playset!

I made this play set with a tie front blouse and highwaisted shorts pattern. Made from a light linen fabric, perfect for my upcoming vacation to Hawaii.


See more at SewIThought…

High Waisted Shorts!

I’ve been dreaming of high waisted shorts for ages now, and I managed to convince my boss to let me make some for the range we make for the charity Traid. I was allowed to cut myself out a pair so I can rock them when it stops snowing and warms up a bit!

I made the pattern by frankensteining this vintage Simplicity 5411 trouser/shorts pattern from 1964 I bought on ebay for the rise, hips and legs part with a high waisted skirt pattern for the waist shaping. The fabric is vintage wool donated to the charity, with gold buttons cut off some unusable garments.

For more on these crazy shorts, check my blog post:

http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/2010/11/if-youve-got-it.html

Thanks for looking and happy retro sewing! xxx

Little Boy pants and a shirt

I just completed this outfit for my son for a 1914/15 project that I had worked on last year so that he could join in with the rest of the group at a function held on Friday night. To make this up I chose an Ideal Pattern (by Montgomery Ward & Co which appear to be the Mail Order Company).

I chose to make the button on Eton collar, but he really didn’t care for it much. The only things that I changed about the pattern was leaving off the top pocket, and the buttons that hold the shorts on to the waistband of the shirt, because he really wanted to wear braces with it (he has just seen the Ecky Thump episode of ‘The Goodies‘ and was desparate to wear the braces….)  I also made the shorts 2″ longer to match a photo of a boy from this era.  More on my blog

Does anyone out there know much about the Ideal Patterns? There was no date on the envelope and googling hasn’t revealed much about them either – slightly more about the Company Montgomery Ward.  I suspect that this pattern was originally from the 1920’s but I haven’t much to go on.

*Edit*
Here is what the front of the whole pattern envelope looked like:

Thanks ever so for looking!

Vintage Culottes from Simplicity 1020

Hello all!

I finally got some photos of my latest vintage project – a pair of culottes from a vintage Simplicity pattern. Check out my blog for more photos and more details.

Hope you’re all having a wonderful Tuesday!

Edit : Think I’ve fixed the link problem, thanks for your kind words 🙂

Simplicity Weekender Debut

Pattern Description:
weekender set consisting of shorts, wiggle skirt, strappy top and button-down blouse.

Pattern Sizing:
size 32B

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
absolutely. it was perfect.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
pattern dated from the 1950s to the instructions were sparse and occasionally not as clear as i would hope (particularly on the walking vent for the wiggle skirt!) but i muddled through with a result i love.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
great, easy summer inspiration and came together very quickly once i sat and focused on it. i liked the idea of a set that could be mixed and matched.

Fabric Used:
green and red “target” bottomweight cotton/poly from joann’s. three different shirting cottons from NY Elegant Fabric to make the tops.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
none worth mentioning.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
i absolutely see myself throwing together another set if the right color scheme pops into my head.

Conclusion:
i thought the 50s-style shorts, with the high waist and darted fronts and back zip, would be awkward but it was comfortable and, i daresay, rather flattering. i loved the little tops and made three of them to go with a green set (skirt/shorts) and a red set (skirt/shorts from 1953 vogue 7967, not pictured here) so that i would have a mini wardrobe.