How annoying is that title? Hahaha. These shorts are actually a wearable muslin. My little sister’s birthday is coming up and she wants a pair of shorts for her present.
We went to the Pendleton Mill Outlet with the intention of getting some wool to make a winter short. But, that’s not what caught her eye. We picked up a super fun, snakeskin print twill.
She wants a menswear inspired short (honestly, Thurlow would be perfect). I have McCall’s 5391 in the stash and gave it a try. This pattern isn’t quite what she wants. On her version I’m going to add patch pockets to the rear (I think), and she definitely wants a cuff.
These are a straight make of view A, with the buttoned belt loops from F. Her measurements are just about the same as mine so I cut these in a size 12. I haven’t be en able to fit them on her yet, but I like them on me.
I inherited a small fabric stash, as well as my sewing machine, when my friend Leslie moved across country. I have tons of this home decor cotton toile fabric (about 4 yards) in the above mentioned stash. It is the perfect weight for a pair of pants, so I made these as carefully as I would on the final version. I really like how they came out. They’re super preppy 
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I made no fitting changes and these were a fairly fast make. I spent about 4 hours total on them. The only difficulty I had was on the zipper.
The pattern calls this a “mock fly”. I’ve never made a fly before, so I’m not sure what the difference is. The instructions were very confusing, and the illustrations weren’t very helpful either. I had to read them aloud a few times, and I’m not sure if I got it right. The zipper looks good enough, so I’m not too concerned. I’ll consult a book when I make my sister’s, so I can make her a proper fly.
The only other “issue” is that, as drafted, view A is hella short. When I make these again for myself, I think I’ll add 2 inches. Even my husband said they were short! You know men, nothing can be too tight or short for them. My sis is almost 4 inches shorter than me, so they should be perfect on her.
All in all, I think this pattern is a winner. It feels like wearing a RTW short. I’m working on getting used to things at my natural waist, but I never wore them before I started sewing. This has a comfortable low to midrise.
xx, Cynthia
Ah they’re not too short they’re perfect
You look lovely and so do the shorts. Your sis is a lucky lady indeed 
those shorts are HOT!
I love these!! I currently have a rather hideous thrifted red skirt with some funky 70′s flower design that I thought would look adorable as a pair of shorts. Just haven’t gotten the courage to do them yet as I fear saggy crotch. These though fit really well!
i made these shorts (not the shortie version, the longer one shortened to a 4″ inseam) and while the pattern is okay, i jumped ship and made up the thurlow afterward, and there is just no comparison! on the mccalls i think it’s a “mock fly” because there isn’t a separate fly facing and no fly extension. weird in my opinion. the thurlow has all these awesome details, plus a few more, and a better fit for me. and the directions are far clearer!
i do like how your version turned out, that fabric is perfect!
love these! and they are styled perfectly
These are so cute! Love ‘em! You can totally pull off shorts this short.
They look great! The fun fabric really makes them.
Great job Cynthia, the mock fly is a tad tricky I agree. They turned out fab. You go girl.
These look great! What a great print to use as well
Oh they are lovely! Furnishing fabric can be a great weight for certain garment projects, can’t it? Lisa G (comment above) was totally on the money about the difference between a mock and real fly front. Mock’s are definitely quicker to make, but proper ones have a nice security to them!
Zoe xxx
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