This is part one of, hopefully, two posts detailing vintageButterick 8197 (available at the Blue Gardenia if you’d like your own copy). I picked up this pattern for $2 and squeeled, I was so excited about the bra top and high waisted shorts. This screams Annette Funicello or Doris Day at the beach to me. The shorts were easy and fast to make. The bra top is a little more tricky. While not difficult to sew, I’m having a hard time getting the cups to fit right. I need to do a SBA to remove some excess pointiness, and honestly I’m starting to lose interest.
I used some green and cream seersucker I found at Joann’s. I fully lined these shorts with some lime green rayon bemberg. I did this for modesty reasons, not because the instructions called for it. These look so pretty on the inside, just like RTW. I inserted an invisible zipper and closed the tab with some pearl snaps. I still haven’t figured out how to use the buttonholer on my new/ old machine.
I love the fit and style of these shorts! I feel like a vintage pin-up in them 🙂 Hopefully, I’ll get the top made before summer is over. I’ve got the Macaron sew-along on the brain, and also need to sew up a birthday prezzie for my little sis.
Now, I’m sure you’ve noticed a new decoration on my collarbone. On Monday I went to Oddball Studios and had three spools of thread and a sewing needle tattooed. They’re my favorite colors and adorable. I’d like to get a tomato pin cushion and thimble on the other side if I can work up the nerve.
Yikes, I still can’t believe I actually did it. I’m quite smitten with the results and have become a vain creeper. All I want to do is look at it in the mirror.
XOXO,
Cynthia
Dapper Duds 
I love everything about this post, especially the tattoo! I hope you get the other side done because it will look super cute!
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Awesome shorts and awesome tattoo…I’d love to get one myself one day! I also love your hair in these pictures, did you set it at all or is it naturally that gorgeous?
My hair is quite curly naturally, I blow it straight and used 1.5 inch diameter curling iron on the ends
You look like an old Hollywood calendar girl in these shorts! So 50s chic. I’m so envious of your courage to get such an awesome tattoo, it looks fantastic! I’ve done the whole tongue piercing deal but never had the galls to get a tatt. I think it’d be cool to get a needle and thread which is so small and basically a couple thin lines but I’m such a chicken. You go girl!
He shorts r cute! I wanna see the top!! 🙂
What fun shorts! Love the seersucker.
I love those shorts – the insides are so neat and fancy!
SUPER cute tattoo! Omg, I love it. A pincushion on the other side would be darling.
You look super cute! Love the Seersucker and the green lining. I have been wanting to make a pair of Seersucker shorts this summer with the Sewaholic Thurlow trousers/shorts pattern. I almost cheated and bought a pair on sale at America Apparel but the fit was weird. I need to get on it before the summer is over then maybe we should have a Seersucker lawn party.
Did you buy Thurlow yet?
You are ridiculously cute! I can’t take it! Love the shorts, love the tat! Hope you’re able to work out the kinks with the matching top– you would so rock it!
These two garments are really beautiful and play together so well! You look out of a pinup calendar of the 50s!
I love the high-waisted shorts. They look fab! Your new tat is to die for too!
I saw those shorts on We Sew Retro and fell in love with them! super cute tattoo too! Great work all round xxx
Superb job on the shorts Cynthia, they really look fab on you.
Super cute tattoo too, you better watch- they spread fast 🙂
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Love the tattoo! Just discovered your blog, currently scanning through your archives. This isn’t a sewing question, but can you recal what lipgloss/lipstick you were wearing in these photos? It’s super flattering, and you and I have a similar look (colouring). Thanks!
It’s a Revlon shade called “Love That Pink” with some shiny gloss on top as well