Monday 5 September 2011

Another go at Burda Style 08-2011-130: Shorter shorts

Sometimes a pattern won't let go. I made stretchy woven shorts, and thought I had figured out a successful item from this pattern, but I still felt like making version with snaps. I also wanted to try these in a non stretch, my own ranting about the silliness of Burda having made me think about this fabric discrepency far too much, so did not put the pattern away.
A small piece of denim was lying around, thinking it might be an A- line Christmas present dress for a 4 year old niece, but when the shorts pattern happened to lie close enough to it on the floor (yes, I should tidy my sewing room), I somehow found myself cutting out a pair of mid thigh length denim shorts - non stretch denim. This was much more fun than tidying my sewing room. Truly I had entered the room with the sole intention of doing some housework in there, but the atmosphere is very persuasive.....
Here they are.
SAM_0900

SAM_0899

SAM_0898


As expected, the fit is rather more snug that the stretch pair, and I did not do any of the dart or waist taking-in that the stretch pair had required. I also sewed the side seams with a skinny seam allowance. However, the fit difference was not as great as I had anticipated. The pattern pieces are the same as the stretch pair. This is a thin denim, and although there is no official stretch to the fabric, we all know how denim behaves. I expect these to loosen with wear.

The side snaps are my daughter's favourite feature in these shorts. I found them rather tricky to apply. I find any sewing project that involves hammers and a visit to the shed a stretch to my comfort zone. Unfortunately, one snap fell off, due to insufficient bashing, and had to be reapplied. My husband kindly applied superior force to the cap side of the snaps, but was not available for the eyelet side. I may need to recruit him again, should there be any more wardrobe malfunctions. I have suggested to my daughter that she wear these at home for a day before trying them in public ;).

I am pleased with the inside.
SAM_0907
I used a cotton/hemp blend as interfacing for the waistband and button placket, and bound the waist facing with a bias strip of quilting weight cotton. Having some of this left, I then bound the crotch seam, for no reason in particular. I think cleaning procrastination had taken over.

My sewing room is still very messy. The procrastination was most effective.

20 comments:

Shelley's Garden said...

What a productive time in your sewing room! Must better than tidying -- which I seem to do too much of. For snaps -- a few years ago I invested in a a Prym plier and snap set. Putting in snaps has become rather fun. No hammers or trips out to the garage. I've even repaired camping gear. I do enjoy your blog.

Sue said...

Isn't that cleaning? You must have picked up the fabric off the floor to make the shorts! Thanks for checking this as I have been wondering about the stretch vs non-stretch fabric in pants, as I have been thinking of making a pair of burda pants but in stretch when non-stretch is called for.

shams said...

Wow, very cute. I am impressed by your decorative seam finishes. Much more fun than tidying!

Carolyn said...

Extremely effective procrastination! I'm sure the untidiness of the sewing room will lead to more serendipitous marriages of fabric and pattern, so I vote you should investigate more possibilities in this direction... I really love the seam binding too, and if they were mine I would be sorely tempted to wear them inside out every now and again!

SewRuthie said...

Oh very clean and neat shorts, and what a great use of the fabric. They've come out very well. I have some snaps which I have never used on anything due to the whole hammer thing maybe I need that Prym douberry? I've spent the weekend gardening and cleaning for an inspection tomorrow and its BORING! So I do understand.

Mary Nanna said...

Great shorts. Great, great shorts. The thought of snaps makes me so nervous - one big greedy meal and pop! However, I'm sure your daughter is much more restrained! I am loving that pattern more and more - it just invites you to explore all kinds decorative touches.

katherine h said...

Those snaps are a great feature. When she does wear them out, I bet she'll get a slew of comments from envious friends.

MushyWear said...

Super cute shorts. The fit looks fantastic and I love the snap side front. I have a Burda pattern that looks like sailor pants with buttons up both sides. Your pair of shorts here are inspiring me to get at that pattern.

Gail said...

The finish on your DD's shorts is very impressive. Where do you buy hemp fabric? This is a fabric my ageing hippy husband would approve of.

Imaan said...

I lurve your sense of humour :) great shorts too...

Julie Culshaw said...

Very smart looking shorts. I too like the snap closure and especially appreciate your seam finishes.

Anonymous said...

I am going to dare to say that your daughter looks rather (shhhhh) sexy in those shorts. I think it is the snaps. Or perhaps the wholly inappropriate use by the advertising industry of underage models which has conditioned my perceptions?

I love the inside finish too.

sewing spots said...

Those shorts are fabulous! That was a very productive use of your time.

Uta said...

Keep making these; they're very cute and I'm starting to want a pair of my own. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to wear pants with snaps, though!

Anonymous said...

I want! These are super cute! With some of the stretch denim I have downstairs I bet they would be fabulous. :-)

Victoria said...

Great shorts! I love the snaps!

KID, MD said...

So cute!! The snaps are great.

Kyle said...

Those snaps are rocking my world!! Would you please make me a pair? :)

Gay McDonell said...

Totally cute - inside and out!!

Joy said...

Since when is procrastination productive?

The inside is very neat indeed. She'll never be embarrassed about the inside of her shorts. But the outside is extremely cute. I love all the snaps.