Lori’s Shorts: McCall’s 5391

This is my baby sister and I luff her <3. Her birthday is coming up and we decided that I would sew her a pair of shorts for her prezzie. You can see me wearing the muslin here.

We had a sister date a few weeks back where we went fabric shopping at the Pendleton outlet in Washougal, swam in the Columbia River, and got tattoos. I was thinking we would get some wool while at the  Pendleton store and make a winter short, but this mint green snake print cotton twill caught her eye.

I kept trying to talk her out of it (I thought it was supah tacky), but then a voice in my head said, “Idiot! These are for her, not you!” I’m glad I shut up because these shorts are perfect for her. They suit her style perfectly and fit her nicely. I also like them too (O_o) and lucky for me we’re the same size.

I goofed by putting the zipper of the mock-fly on the wrong side so they zip up like men’s shorts. One thing I’ve noticed with this pattern is that as drafted the waistband is a little short. I recommend is adding a centimeter or so. I ended up having to ease the shorts to fit on to the waistband.

I interfaced the waistband with horse-hair canvass to keep it from rumpleing and changed up the installation from the pattern directions so I wouldn’t have to slip-stitch by hand. I took photos so I’ll post a mini tutorial this week.

xx, Cynthia

 

A Toile Toile

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 .

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