We have been blessed with such an amazing summer this year. Low humidity for the most part and cooler temperatures than I can ever remember in the four years that we've lived here. It's been glorious really! And, I am saying out loud (and here on the computer) that I will happily take another winter like last if it gives us summers like this!
And then, BAM! The first couple of weeks of school have been filled with loads of humidity and high temperatures. Just as we were beginning to breath in those autumn breezes summer raised it's sweaty little hand and slapped us in the face! Ick!
As I said last week Violet doesn't have many pairs of shorts that fit her anymore after a summery growth spurt, so with these high temperatures and outdoor activities she needed just one more pair of shorts to get her through...plus, I really did want to give the City Gym Shorts pattern a try...
I sewed up the size 7/8 which seems to be the perfect fit! The front is Leah Duncan Tule (seen here and here before ) and the back is more double cloth cotton (seen here before).
For the trim I used a neon salmon bias tape from Joann for a little pop of color and to bring out those peachy flowers ...
They really are a quick little sew and most of your time is spent pinning the bias tape along the edges. Violet loves them and they really fit perfectly, short and not too baggy, but still roomy enough for a little tree climbing...
She did however say that she missed the pockets from her prefontaines shorts (here and here)...At least next summer I know I've got three different shorts patterns that have been well tested all with positive results and good for different reasons.
Oh, and since I was already on the Purl Bee... I figured I might as well print out the woman's pattern too!
I first sewed up these ...
Linen on the front (seen here before) and double cloth cotton again on the back with turquoise bias trim. They are comfortable and cute enough for wearing around the house, but too big and a bit "frumpy" to wear outside of the house. I think it might be part fabric choice and part inaccurate measuring. I always tend to ere on the larger size when measuring and cutting for myself for fear of it being too small.
So, since I already had the pattern cut out, etc. I decided to whip up another pair in a size smaller, this time in polka dot double gauze (from Imagine Gnats and seen here before)...
These fit much better. They are on the short side, but I actually prefer shorter shorts for my short little legs. I kept both front and back the same this time around and trimmed them simply with white bias tape, I like the white trim a lot!
I did add a little bit of "secret" contrasting on the waist band, just because really...
These, I think, fit much better than the first pair, but they were for sure more snug. It didn't matter much for this pair because the double gauze has a bit of give to it. I wonder if I used a fabric without any stretch or give if they would be too tight around my bum and the front.
Anywho, I love these shorts! I sewed them up Sunday morning and then wore them to ride 5 miles there and back up and down hills towing a tag-along and kid behind and they were just the right pair of shorts! Except that, I too missed pockets a little bit...I'll have to give the woman's prefontaines a try next summer...
Ps...props to Violet and Henry for taking my picture again...not too blurry! And they really love getting a chance to help...except for the fact that sometimes they keep taking pictures even when I think we are done...
Ha! Have a great day!
