Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Birdie shorts

Even in a world where "Birdie Sanders" is a thing, for me, the word "birdie" will always conjure up the feeling of sheer embarrassment I had during my (poor) performance of my one-line solo in the middle school production of "Bye Bye Birdie".  Isn't it funny that such a seemingly benign word can have terrible connotations for someone!  Unfortunately, there really isn't anything else to name these shorts--Audubon shorts?  Lab of O shorts?  (Any other Cornell alums out there? :)
Maybe there is a bit of the same embarrassment in these shorts as the name suggests to my heart.  I was super excited about this fabric (stretch cotton twill, from Mood), and this project got bumped to the top of the list because I was so in love with the idea of shorts with birds on them.  Now that I'm wearing them, I feel a little bit like I'm wearing the inside of a sleeping bag from the 70s.  Remember those woodland duck prints?  (Go ahead and Google "vintage coleman duck sleeping bag").  Hmm....
Aside from the questionable taste level, the fabric was amazing to sew and wear.  Stretch cotton is so lovely.  The pattern is the Maritime Shorts by Grainline.  Definitely a tried&true pattern for me after making the anchors away version last year.
I pattern-matched the birds only at the front pockets, above (where it was easy, in other words).
The only significant change I made this time around was to sew in some functional back welt pockets (using my tutorial, here).  The fabric seemed more refined, and therefore suited a more formal pocket in the back (yes, I'm still referring to fabric with birds on it--the substrate was refined, not the print!). All attempts to pattern-match the welts were utter failures, so I ended up just trying to avoid birds entirely for the visible welt.
Between the awesome sewing pattern and stretchy cotton fabric, these shorts are wonderfully comfortable and fairly flattering.  Now I have to find/make more tops to wear with them!

18 comments:

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    1. Thanks, Beth! They were fun to sew :)

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  2. Oh I love these! They look great with that red top you're wearing, at very least! Haha. The print is great and the welt pockets were a good call. Yay for shorts weather!

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    1. I know, but it's a sweater! And while I can get away with a sweater and shorts for some of the days here in NorCal, on the extra hot days I have to find something more appropriate!

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  3. I"m not much of a maker or wearer of shorts - but I would steal these off you in a heartbeat! Love them!

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    1. Haha, thanks! Honestly, I'm not much of a shorts wearer either, but I figure if I have to own a few pairs, they should be cute!

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  4. You have nailed the fit, that's for sure! They look very comfortable :)

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    1. Thank you! The pattern is very well drafted!

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  5. I like the back better than the front, mainly because in the front the pattern-matched birds. But the fit is fantastic and you look great!

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    1. The birds on the front are a bit unfortunate, aren't they!

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  6. I like these a lot! I actually bought that pattern because I saw a previous pair you made and loved them! Had it printed and never made them haha. I love the bird print!

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    1. Make them already! I'm going to have to carefully style the outfit to tone down the print a bit, but I love it too!

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  7. Love them, they look and fit great!!!

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    1. Thank you, Betsey! It's always a relief when they fit in the end!

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  8. AAAAmmmazzzing! I absolutely love these. I have this pattern and have made them several times but this fabric begs to be made into these shorts! Went to mood to see if I could get some and they are all sold out. Darn but great work!

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    1. That fabric must have been popular--it sold out quickly! I've been scouting around for more stretch twill in a fun print, but nothing has jumped out at me yet. Bummer!

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