Who likes short shorts? Not me!

The end result of my sewing weekend away - stretch denim "shorts":

These end at the knee and are a hacked off version of Burda 7863. I actually (first time ever) made a muslin for these from a firm woven so was pretty eager to see how they turned out in a stretch fabric.

Mostly I think they turned out good. There are a few small things I would change -I took a bit too much off the waistband when making the centre back alteration and the leg hems flare out slightly ( top stitching on stretch fabric without a stabiliser)- but surprisingly these are rather comfy to wear even with these issues.

Please note: I normally don't show midriff, I'm waaay past being able to do that- it's just so you can see the waistband!

How my tops normally sit!

 Oh and I forgot to prewash my fabric- NOT recommended! Not only did I run the risk of some crazy shrinkage happening (it didn't luckily), but the dye came off the fabric onto my hands while sewing! 
I'm planning to make up another pair of these before summer is over - maybe with a cuff? Hopefully I'll have that centre back seam alteration nutted out by then!

Happy Sewing!

Kate x

Grappling with a gappy back seam

  Have decided to try a jeans pattern again, this time Burda 7863 (purchased during Spotlights $5 sale). 

As it's summer weather here I'm going to make shorts rather than jeans. 

I figure by making shorts I'll be able to tweak the fit in the tummy/waist/butt area without forking out too much for fabric (and maybe use up a bit of my stash!).

Also given that our summers hit 30 to 40 degrees Celsius here, I'm way more likely to be wearing shorts than jeans in the next few months.

 

Currently this is what's taking up most of my time on the muslin (yes I'm making a muslin, am finally learning!!) test pair- getting the centre back waistband seam right:

While the seam's not perfect it is getting there and slowly I'm pulling in the gaposis that always happens when I wear jeans. 

I also hate wearing belts with jeans (weird huh?) so a good fitting waistband will help me to avoid that.

  Hopefully I'll end up with a much better fit than any of my current RTW jeans.

Fingers crossed ;)

 Kate x