Dear readers,
This is so rare that it is worth noting. I MADE IT FOR A DEADLINE. Ok, at work, I’m pretty much fine with deadlines but when it comes to sewing I believe that I am cursed. As soon as I think about following a sewalong/contest/etc. there are 100% chances that I won’t. Hence, new strategy, I make whatever I want and then believe that the sew along gods will align their plans with mine. This is totally what happened with Shorts on the Line! 2 weeks ago I was browsing my burda magazine collection for a color blocked dress (did not find) but then I rediscovered those seriously cute vintage shorts from the issue of july 2013. I’m not entirely sure what is supposed to be retro about them but I know one thing, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! I’ve reached a new level of comfort in the daily Caribbean heat that denim cutoffs CANNOT compete with…
As you can see my ability to have any picture taken without a beagle biting my heel has considerably decreased over the last 4 months. Along with the one of making it with clean pants from the front door to the car, but that’s another story. I also have to apologize for the wrinkles, which are the result of way more than 1 day of wear… (TMI?)
The nice bonus about this project is that it felt “free”. You may or may not recognize the navy linen I used for this dress, the pattern came from my existing burda collection (justifying to move twice overseas with magazines, yes), zipper and eyes and hooks from stash!
Regarding the construction I did not look at the instructions but shorts are pretty straight forward. I used my usual technique for the fly (see here), the pockets are self lined and all seams are finished with the serger and then topstitched.
My only note is about waistband, I HATE (yes hate) waistband. Especially the moment when you try to stitch in the ditch the wrong side folded. It gets distorted, it looks bad, stop me now because I can go on for HOURS. I’ve been experimenting with different techniques (I know Colette just wrote something about using the invisible hem of your machine but I haven’t tried), and these were done with a lot of swearing and using the technique described here for shirt cuffs on which I plan to write very (or not) soon.
I can foresee a another version with single welt pockets in the back because honestly, this was way too satisfying and eventless…
Now pleeeeaaase tell me if you have a waistband secret (no hand sewing) that I have not heard about!!!
Sewing Tidbits 
Sadly no secret to waistbands. For something that I want really swish I do hand sew I’m afraid! They’re cute – nice job 🙂
Thank you!! I admire people who have the courage of hand sewing things. But sometimes I spend so much time researching and trying ways to do everything by machine that it would be quicker for me to take a needle and use my hand…
I love them too! I also just made my first pair of short, I hadn’t even bought or work shorts in years… And I love them! Totally converted to shorts again.
Thank you Rachel!! Too bad you don’t post your sewing on your blog!
I’m a big fan of the blind hem method as posted on Colette having tried this a couple of times myself. I’m too impatient for hand sewing but envious of those that do! I love your shorts, they are so cute and look really comfy 🙂
Thanks Rachel! Good to know that this method works for you, i may give it a go then!
Such a cute pair of shorts and in linen too. My favourite! Love revisiting old Burda’s. Great for inspiration 🙂
As I always fail with sewing in the ditch, I finish my waistbands with hand sewing. So I do not have a waistband secret for you. Very nice shorts, I have to look if I have the magazine in my stash.