Surely you know I am low on stock in the shorts department of my wardrobe. My double gauze Essential Shorts haven’t gotten worn a ton yet, but there’s still plenty of summer left! But my kids go through shorts like crazy too! I always am having a hard time finding shorts that fit my youngest, Emily. She’s got a tiny waist and it’s just awesome that I can make a pair of shorts that she can feel really comfortable in. Plus you gotta have a cute pair to help show off all your summer time battle wounds. So here we are scrapes, bruises, and all.
This post is part of the Shorts on a Line series. Just another fun reason to whip up something new! Last year I made Emily a pair of french terry shorts and she loves them and has worn them a ton. We even had to go in this summer and make the elastic just a smidge bigger, she grew! Lucky that’s so easy to do when you make clothes yourself.
I couldn’t resist trying Purl Bee’s new City Gym Shorts pattern. I hope to make some for myself, too! For now my girls each got to pick out fabrics they loved and can sport them around! I’ve had the Riley Blake raindrops fabric FOREVER! I love using it finally. I also busted into the precious Les Amis foxes.
They fit and they love them, double win. The only thing I changed was to add some topstitching along the crotch and front/back rises. I know how my kids beat things up, so hopefully this will give the shorts a little more durability. I also added some edgestitching along the top edge of the waistband casing, to help the elastic from rolling over on itself.
(Oh, and just a little tip. If you plan on making a bunch, I find it comes in handy to write down the other measurements for the waistband and bias tape, etc. right on the pattern. That way, I don’t have to look it back up when I go to make more.)
Anyway, I’m super glad to have sewn these up, and happier to say they won’t be the last!!!
Pattern: City Gym Shorts (free tutorial/pattern from Purl Bee)
Fabrics: Lizzy House Pearl Bracelets, Robert Kaufman Chambray, Robert Kaufman Carolina 1/8” Gingham, Riley Blake Raindrops, Les Amis foxes by Patty Sloniger.
Sizes: 4/5 and 8/9
I always appreciate it when you take time out of your busy schedules to stop by! Thank you!
This post is part of the Shorts on the Line sewalong. Shorts on the Line 2014 is sponsored by: Britex Fabrics, Hawthorne Threads, miss matatabi, and Soak Wash. Hosted by imagine gnats, small + friendly, and Kollabora.
They look great! I should do a pair for me too. I love the fabrics your kids have chosen, good taste ♥
I loooved them!!! 🙂
Gahh! They are too cute! The shorts and the girlies! I want to sew a million more of these shorts!
Wowwww these shorts are awesome!!!! I should consider to give it a go and try to sew some for me.
adorable!!!!
pattern traced, fabric picked…just waiting for the right moment over here!
every pair of these I see is cuter than the last!! so great 🙂
I just printed out the pattern last night and am determined to give them a try – you and Amber have inspired me (plus I found some inexpensive double gauze that won’t kill me if they don’t work out). Wish me luck! Thanks for the little tips about the extra stitching, too. Sweet pix, Anna.
How lovely your girls are looking in these shorts.
Greetings from Germany
Ines♥
I love these! The fabric combos are perfection and the fit looks amazing! I must make a pair for myself! Thanks soooo much for sewing along!
aw i love them! purl bee really hit it out of the park with this pattern, and i love the front/back/binding contrast you used too. your girlies look so summery and cute!! oh and side note – i used that “raindrop” fabric for Em’s second birthday dress, so you just took me back! look how little she was! 🙂 http://bit.ly/XkvwvD
your girls are so. big. I love the two different fabrics for front and back, but Kristin already said that of course 🙂
The fit on these is great! And I love your fabric combinations.
I just printed and cut out this pattern last night! So exciting to see your adorable versions for the girls. There fabric choices are so fun:) Thanks too for the tip about writing the measurements down – super helpful!
These fit so nicely. Thank you so much for sharing your girls with us.
These shorts are on my sewing list. Thanks for the tip about writing the waistband & bias tape info right on the pattern, I’m going to do that!
So I’m here to say I made these for my 45 yr old self. I love them. I’m in S. Texas and it is HOT down here…these are my new pj shorts. 😉 Hope you get on it and make some for yourself real soon…you’ll love love them. 🙂
Very cute shorts! I just looked at the pattern and they look really short. Did you lengthen the legs?
Happy shorts !!!
did you find the sizing to be accurate? my kids are away, but i got phone approval from they youngest to give it a try! Emily’s hair looks so cute!
Very cute shorts and the girls are funny too. It’s nice when the clothes you make fit and are liked.
Sweet, sweet, sweet!