Thursday 8 December 2011

.A gazillion shorts.

Before you get reading, let me warn you there are a gazillion photos to come...
The children all needed new shorts for Summer.  I'm determined to make instead of buy clothes for them when I can from now on.  I reckon I have enough fabric to clothe them until they are 18...
So I turned to the quick and easy "2-in-1" shorts from my book.  Well, they are quick if you are only making a couple of pairs - I got a little carried away and made THIRTEEN!!!!!!!
It started out as one pair each for my three.  Then my sister requested a pair each for her kids for Christmas.  And then I decided that while I was at it I would make few more for some other cousins for Christmas.  And then to top things off my kids got another pair each.  (That makes 13 pairs, by the way.)
I love these shorts because:
1.  They are quick and easy (did I already say that?)
2.  They are reversible - so really I made 26 pairs...
3.  Because they are reversible (lined) you don't need to neaten any raw edges with an overlocker or zig-zag stitch, making them even faster.
4.  They are looong - sitting just under the knee, more boardshort style.  So cute.
5.  They are comfortable - so the kids tell me.
Before you go out and make any though, let me warn you that you really should use two fabrics you REALLY LOVE.  I've made the mistake on the first pairs for each of my kids of using a fabric I love and then a fabric I'm not that crazy about on the other side, thinking that the preferred side would be worn most often.  Of course, the kids prefer my non-preferred side and I'm forever trying to trick them into wearing the side that I like best!
So, you ready for a fashion parade? 
Prints Charming, Rainbow Gardens/Erin McMorris, Weekends, Go Bike in Peach
Michael Miller, Giraffe Garden in Grey/Erin McMorris, Summersault, Pinwheels in Grass
Monaluna, Circa 50, Cars in Orange/Monaluna, Circa 50, Pebbles Lines in Citron
FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Red
Birch, Circa 60, Ukelele/ Laura Gunn, Magnolia, Textured Plaid in Turquoise
FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Orange
Prints Charming, Rainbow Gardens/Erin McMorris, Weekends, Go Bike in Peach
Monaluna, Circa 50, Cars in Orange/Monaluna, Circa 50, Pebbles Lines in Citron
Birch, Circa 60, Ukelele/ Laura Gunn, Magnolia, Textured Plaid in Turquoise
FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Orange
Anna Maria Horner, Innocent Crush, Bubble Burst in Lavender/Saffron Craig, Bird Tree, Bird Spot in Green
Erin McMorris, Weekends, Go Bike in Peach/Michael Miller Spot
Sarah Jane, Children At Play, Rockets in Blue/FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Red

FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Orange

FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Red

FD Textiles, Little Monsters in Blue/Red

Patty Young, Flora & Fauna, Blossoms in Red/Anna Maria Horner, Innocent Crush, Maybe in Indigo

Amy Butler, Midwest Modern II, Honeycomb in Sage, Anna Maria Horner, Innocent Crush, Bubble Burst in Lavender

Michael Miller, Giraffe Garden in Grey/Erin McMorris, Summersault, Pinwheels in Grass
Phew!!!
The problem with reversible clothes, is that it is hard to determine which side is the front and which is the back - especially as you can't include a size tag on the inside, because there isn't an inside!  So I cut a piece of decorative ribbon and sewed it to the back side of each pair of shorts to eliminate saggy crotches and wedgie bottoms!
And now I think shorts sewing is out of my system for a little while...

16 comments:

Stacey said...

Love these, they are all great. I still have your book on my wish list! Hope Santa reads this : D

Keren said...

Gah, your blog almost makes me wish I had littlies just so I can make stuff for them! (but then I remember all the other stuff and I'm fine again :))

Love, love, love that you're daughter is in long shorts - I'm so sick of seeing girls in short shorts or skirts that they can't even move in without flashing their knickers everywhere, let alone actually have fun and be active in. I know it's not a big deal when they're young but it seems to me to be setting a bad precedent ...

DianeY said...

Very cute! You do have a lot of fabric! I do too & am starting to worry I won't use it up in my lifetime!

Kirsty said...

I made a pair yesterday with a matching hat for my MR 3's Christmas outfit. I put a pocket on the the back right of both sides so we know the back from the front. Great - Pattern. I'm trying to find Jiffy Grip so I can make some slippers as gifts also.

Sarah said...

Very very cool!

I will have to remember this when we run out of hand me downs...

Jody Sanders said...

Oh, I need to make some of these! Love the fabrics too.

The Coull Family said...

Gorgeous shorts and models. You only do things in bulk don't you!? :)

rahel said...

Wow- I love those shorts! There's nothing like making your own clothes and choose pretty fabrics... Maybe I should start already now and then I will have a few more shorts ready by summer (that's still a few months to go here where I live). Have a lovely day!

Jane said...

Ah... reversible/lined - what a great idea to make sturdy-enough shorts out of thinner fabrics! I love the tip about making sure you love both sides, too. Don't they always choose the clothes you wish they never owned....

Crafty Mama said...

Oh my gosh, that is a LOT of shorts!!
Love them all!

Melissa @ twolittleredbobbins said...

Wow what a great idea! I love making shorts for my 4yr old but never thought how great it would be to have reversible ones :)

TheAccidentalCrafter said...

Oh wow, I love all the combinations you used, I've been wanting to sew some shorts for my little boy, must put this book on my xmas wishlist.

Yana said...

wow, you're a super lady! how did you manage to make so many and actually finish them all? I probably would have given up after 2 pairs... awesome job!!

Bron said...

Oh Yeah I have your book ...and you have just inspired me to get on and make some for little people around me! Thanks

sarah said...

Cute, Cute shorts! couldn't figure out why you were making shorts! Then I remembered you're not from the states where it's cold, cold, cold!
Cannot wait until it's warm enough here to think about shorts again:)

Anonymous said...

wow! so many shorts! you are a champion Toni, these are gorgeous :)

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