From Pants to Shorts - an Easy Refashion

My favorite pair of white pants got a black stain in the back. No worries, I thought as I promptly pulled out my trusted Clorox pen. But the stain was stubborn and wouldn't budge. So I applied a little more, and then some more. It faded quite a bit but was still there. No worries, I thought, I'll just leave it on for a little longer. And then there was a hole, smacked in between two back pockets. Since flashing your underpants through a hole is generally frowned upon by the public, the pants were declared officially ruined. Any other person would have tossed them in the garbage can. Not here. Here, the oldest child gets a new pair of shorts.

 

Seriously, how can I let such awesome pockets go to waste! What I like about refashions is that they are usually quick and you can keep original features. I used the shorts pattern that fit Eli well. I placed the front pattern piece on top of the pants in a way that I could reuse the front pockets, traced it. Did the same in the back, then cut them out. The trick I use to line everything perfectly is to use the already cut pieces as my new  pattern pieces. That way you can match the pocket placement perfectly and everything will be symmetrical.

 

 

Check out the coolest pockets in the back, and no holes! For a waistband I used ribbed knit. The shorts also have a functional drawstring.

 

I am happy with the shorts and the fact that I sort of saved the pants from going to the dump. The photo shoot was a different story. The boy never stops moving. Ever.

 

 

See what I mean. I am happy he likes them and they are comfortable to play around.

Vroom Vroom - shorts for a toddler

It was time to sew for my 20 month old. He is into cars and trucks and everything else transportation related. So when I saw a pair of Bermuda shorts in Ottobre magazine (3/2011), I knew it was just what the boy needed.

I had a pair of wide leg, high waisted jeans that were just a tad too short on me.They were in my Goodwill pile and it was just what I needed. The cuffs came with the original jeans, otherwise I used the pattern form the magazine. The shorts are narrow and long with a yoke in the back.

The pocket has two folds on the side and serves as a parking garage for little cars.

Of course, I had my design team helping me along the way. They made the executive design decisions.

The project is simple and easy to sew and the effect is quite adorable. You can also print the signs template for free from here http://www.ottobredesign.com/ and use them to decorate an existing pair of shorts or pants or a t-shirt.

I will definatley be making more of these.

Crazy shorts

About a year ago, I bought some dinosaur fabric at Joann’s. It was on clearance and it was during the time Eli went through a dinosaur phase. I thought I might be able to make something for him. I just couldn’t envision what can possibly be made from such busy and gaudy material. Well, let me introduce the crazy dinosaur shorts.

I made them Bermuda-style; they are narrower and reach below the knee.  Of course I had to add big pockets and topstitching. 

Eli loves them and wears then every chance he gets. They might be loud, but they are also unique and I am a firm believer in standing out from the crowd.  Besides, when else can you possibly wear dinosaur pants and be cool? Only when you are six.

Eli loves the look and I think he totally pulls it off.