Shorts, and Shorts, and more Shorts!

It's the perfect time to write this blog post as it's starting to warm up around here in the Midwest.

Made For Mermaids – Mila Shorts

Date Sewn: 07/26/23

Sewn Before: Navy floral, blue stars, gray/black, and Black with roses

My measurements at the time: actual waist: 37” pants waist 42” and hip 49”

Size sewn: Green for waist and Yellow for the hips.  I picked the 4.5” inseam, faced waist.  I used 33” of ¼” elastic for the waistband.  I like using swim elastic for this because it stretches better and it’s soft.  I get mine from Amazon.

Alterations: I did a ½” butt scoop and sewed with ¼” seam allowance on the sides instead of ½” since I have gained some weight – but was too lazy to trace a new pattern.

The fabric is a double brushed Poly in Navy, I used one yard and had scraps left. No idea where I got the fabric or when. Sadly, my notes don’t say.

Thoughts: I made yet another pair of my favorite shorts pattern, the Made for Mermaids – Mila. This time I used just a basic Navy as I needed something plain to go under my patterned tank tops. This pattern is awesome in so many ways. I love that it looks great, the shorts don't ride up, I don't feel hot in them even using double brush Poly. The waistband is perfect because it's not tight, but my pants don't fall down. When I make these, I put 1/4-inch elastic with a triple zigzag around the waistband at the very top, before it folds. So, I mark the waistband where halfway is in width.  Then, where half is, stitch the 1/4th inch elastic to the inside at fold line of the waistband. You want the elastic just under that fold line.  Then I fold the waistband over which covers the elastic and makes it hidden inside. The triple zig zag shows only on the backside, my skin side, and nothing shows on the front of the waistband.  Finally, I attach it to the shorts. That way it keeps the pants up without falling down but doesn't hurt my stomach at all. It’s just so smooth and soft. I'll be honest, I stole this technique from Jalie and I like to use it whenever possible on any knit waistbands.

Sort of like the instructions here from the Jalie Sylvie pants/shorts pattern:

The Mila shorts pattern also comes with pants, surprising enough I haven't even made the pants because I like the Jalie Sylvie pants that are super similar.  Humorously I haven't made the Sylvie shorts. So, it's funny, the Made for Mermaid I use the shorts, the Jalie Sylvie I make the pants. They’re very, very similar patterns. If debating between the two patterns, I would suggest the Jalie Sylvia pants only because their size range is way larger. with Jalie patterns, sizing goes from infant #2 to way plus size and their instructions are super clear. But I have both patterns already so I love the Mila shorts and they are already traced off as shorts, lol.  And the pants I have traced off are Sylvies.

Anyway, this is the FIFTH pair of Mila shorts I have made now. Of my other 4, the Navy floral and black floral roses, I absolutely love and wear all the time - even around the house because they're so comfortable. Now if you know me, I usually run hot since my brain radiation because my pituitary doesn't tell my body to make hormones, so I am hot sweaty all the time. Therefore, I run around the house in a tank top and underwear most of the day, still complaining of sweaty hot.   So, if I'm willing to wear these shorts over underwear, that says something big because I find them 1. really comfortable. I hate things touching my stomach and these don't bother me at all; and 2. These don't make me hot and sweaty.  3.  I can walk outdoors without getting weird looks from the neighbors, like when I'm just in my underwear so this pattern is five stars from me.

(tank shown in pics is Love Notions - Laundry Day Tee, free pattern)

Photobombed. I can’t do anything around here without someone walking in on me

Patterns for Pirates -Peg legs shorts

This is a free pattern and who doesn't like free.

I've attempted this pattern in shorts a few times without much success, mainly bad fabric choices.  I've also made this pattern in leggings in the way past and loved them.

Sewn before: Green plaid in 2017, Plain Pink in 2017, Plain Black in 2015, Purple shorts in 2017

This time I used the updated file with the addon side pockets and panels.  I started sewing these on July 2nd, 2023, and I finished them July 7^th, 2023

My measurements at the time: 42” bust 39” waist 49“ hip

Size Sewn 1X

For my fifth pair, I sewed these in a Navy athletic dark blue fabric

I added 3/8 inch to the front thigh to crotch curve and half inch to the back thigh to Crouch curve. I took half the height of the waistband off because I don't like things really high on my stomach. I added the 1/4th inch elastic to the inside of the waistband like I explained above with the Mila shorts.  I always pick the low-rise front because I definitely am a low rise 90s person, and I used the midrise on the side and high rise in the back to cover my rear end. I chose to sew the bike length.

The dark blue Navy ended up so super tight bad choice of fabric, but I like the length of the pattern, I like the pocket for my phone, and I wanted to try again. However, I couldn't even get the blue pair on over my hips.

So, I went and sewed up another pair in charcoal cotton lycra.

For the Sixth pair sewn, now in cotton lycra, charcoal, I used the low rise front to high rise back, bike length again, and the size plus 1X

Date Charcoal sewn: 05/29/23

When I was putting the pattern together both times, I found that the back and side panel notches didn't line up. I also found the back with side also didn't meet up same with the front with side panels.  I made do.

The legs are a bit tighter than I like. I realize these are leggings/shorts and supposed to be tight, but when I cover stitch the hems, I need to either change my differential to have more stretch or make the legs a little bit wider. I need more room at the bottom hem - like 1/2 inch in back and maybe 1/4 inch in front - if I make these again, which I probably will.

I like the charcoal ones. The length is exactly how long I like my shorts, I love the pocket for my phone, they are comfortable to wear. If I made the legs a little wider, they would be perfect.  They go well with lots of my tops and tanks, so it's a great addition to my wardrobe. I most definitely will be making another pair of these in cotton lycra.

Fabric: I get all my cotton lycra from purple seamstress for $6 a yard.

Much better in Cotton lycra.  They aren’t hot, they breathe well, they look great with my tanks.

I’m going to throw one more pair of “shorts” on this post.  They are actually underwear, boxers for women but hey, lets throw them on here because they go with the theme.

Patterns for Pirates - Cutie Booty Briefs

 

Fabric used: a light gray cotton lycra with a tiny scrap of some old Lillestoff’s cotton lycra special print of mice with umbrellas.

My measurements at the time: waist 37” pants waist 44” hips 49”

Date sewn: 10/20/2022

Size sewn: XXL

I chose midleg, midrise for the back, low rise for the front, and I made bands

Now, I know better than to make bands. I don't know what I was thinking. Many times in the past when I made the Stitch upon a time - women's boxerwear, I learned that bands don't look great or work well with thick thighs; they roll up, they never fit right, they're just not good for thick thighs. (Suat- blue in 2018 and black in 2015) But current me didn't remember the past me said not to do that again. Also, the waistband is too loose. I need to put elastic inside probably like the 1/4th inch sewn in like the Milas and Peg legs above.

At first when I tried these on my notes were that they are not comfortable at all because there's too many seams. I don't know why a burrito method couldn't have been done so that there weren't so many seams - especially in the crotch area. So, I shoved them in my drawer and tried to forget about them, but I kept grabbing them here and there when I felt like wearing them instead of unders and eventually I've come to terms with the fact that they're OK. I like them enough.

Changes to be made for the next pair: figure out a burrito method so there's less seams. This can be easily done with the front panel by using two pieces instead of 1 and sandwiching them. then if I can't figure out a way to eliminate the crotch seam, I just need to sew it down with a triple zigzag after surging it, so that I don't feel it as a seam. Also, I need to lengthen them the size of bands or pick a longer length and completely eliminate the bands. I need to put elastic in the waistband and my notes say use high rise in the back because midrise isn't enough to cover my rear. I don't think it's a bad pattern, I just think I need some adjustments.

That's it for now!  I’m slowly on the mend from the hysterectomy.  Lucky me, I developed a severe allergic reaction to the surgical glue and tape they put on the 5 cuts….. so I’ve been miserably itch and rashy and my stomach looks terrible because of the reaction. But I’m on steroids now and its starting to get better.   I have my post op checkup in 6 weeks (I’m only 2 weeks out from surgery – all these photos are from before surgery).

Take care and Happy Sewing!

 

Kristin

Surgery again. Health update.

Hello my friends. I had posted over on Instagram beforehand but wanted to post on here. This is health stuff so if you don’t like reading about that, feel free to skip it.

Me Directly before surgery

Six days ago I had another surgery. sigh. this one was supposed to be had in 2020, but was canceled due to covid and then pushed off for the craniotomy and radiation. now it's was time to address it. of course, i am a high risk case. nothing seems to go easy for me. I had adenomyosis (basically endometriosis but inside the uterus), I also had some endometriosis and one ovary was stuck to my intestine and the other was twisted like a corkscrew. I love looking at medical pictures of my insides (yes I am weird lol) but a few of these made me turn green!  my uterus was calcifying, yuk, so it was smashing my bladder and colon.  Also I was blessed with a retroverted and reflexed uterus so it was mashed backwards into my intestines and could be the reason my low back hurt so much and sciatica. Needless to say the thing had to go.  The inflammation in my body alone was painful.  I felt so bloated and 6 months pregnant for many years.

I had a robotic hysterectomy Apr 16. the major problem is that in a robotic hysterectomy, you are almost upside-down for about 4 hrs..... painful for a normal person. dangerous for me with my brain tumor still around my carotid artery and pushing on my brainstem..... that's a lot of time that blood and pressure to be on that scary area.

I'm tired of surgeries. the  brain radiation destroyed my pituitary gland, and thus, I have no hormones going on anyway, I'm medically post menopausal… at 45. I am not able to do hormone replacement therapy because estrogen will causes the remaining tumor to grow.

This was my third stomach surgeries. I have never ever felt such excruciating pain. I've had roughly 20 surgeries total in my life.  I can't do any pain meds. not even Tylenol.. even child birth. brain surgery. and a broken ankle were less pain that i felt with this one.  I woke up hard. They couldn’t get me to stay awake. I threw up bile (not cool with a stomach surgery), I couldn't walk on my own and I could barely pee.   All 4 criteria for them to keep me…. did they?  NO.  They sent me hoe in the most unGodly 45 min ride of my life.  I was scream crying by the time I got home and I think I remember telling my husband very loudly that I didn't’ care if I peed right there in front of all the neighbors on the front steps.   Oh and the nurse didn’t put my shoes on and it was a thunderstorm I walked to the front door in, in socks, floppy, cold, mushy socks.  The below picture is me when I finally got to my bed.  the US health system machine is a disgusting money making mess with no compassion  Slice, dice, and move you out so the bed is free to the next.  I’m sure it will cost 500,000 dollars or more for this surgery.

The first few days I was unable to eat or drink anything and I just laid in bed staring at the walls. My mind was too focused on the sheer pain and I could do nothing else.  Reading about the women that went and had a hysterectomy and were just fine, it was a breeze, and back to themselves the next day…. I wanted to punch them, repeatedly (sorry not sorry).

Today is day 6. I know I have a long journey ahead of me to heal with all my issues  (15 weeks doc stated).  The pain is some less, my incisions are itchy, I’m terribly grumpy and uncomfortable. I hate sleeping on my back and I’m just so over it ALL.    Oh, the dissection of my former uterus was all benign, no C word.  YAY! that was nice to hear.  Oh! and 3 days ago was my 3 year crainiversary.  I cannot believe my world was flipped upside down 3 long years ago!   No more surgeries for me.  I’m done Now time to move forward and heal and do the things I love to do, like sew, embroider, and snuggle my pups.

I am stuck on bed rest the first 8 weeks at least  so I am hoping to do some catching up on blog posts and makes I haven’t yet had time to post.

I’m am quite disgruntled about having to miss Me Made May another year (missed in 2021 due to craniotomy)  But I’ll be cheering on the sidelines and collecting notes on things to make from all of you!

Keep moving forward, Kristin  

Pattern Battle: Burda 6741 vs. Simplicity 1021 Pajama Shorts for the man

  Burda 6741 view D

measurements at the time: actual waist: 47 pants waist: 44 hip 46.5

Size sewn: straight 48

Date started and finished: December 24 2023

Fabric: 2 yards required; no fabric width given but cotton is listed as an acceptable fabric. I used this amazing Dwight Schrute, The Office, Cotton Woven that I purchased 04/30/2023 from Marshall Dry Goods.  it is labeled “45" CAMELOT FABRICS OFFICE SCHRUTE BUSINESS” 100% Cotton, SKU: 96090109-01, 2 Yards, $4.99/yard. Troy is an enormous Office Fan so he loved the fabric print.

A 5/8-inch Seam Allowance is hidden in the very beginning of the instructions and no elastic measurement is given

There is no cut diagram, so do I cut one or two of the waistband?? It says cut one on fold on a tiny part of the pattern piece - no fold arrows, no fold lines. After a bit of head scratching, I figured it out -you fold it in half like a hot dog, the long way. Then cut it on the fold - this tiny little long piece, and then open it with fold in the middle of the piece - not on an end like normal patterns. If you were to do it this way, Burda, why not just have the pattern piece flat with no fold! It is really odd.

The waistband ends up being 25 inches long for the largest size, but the largest waist is 45.75 inches? There is no “cut 2” or anything. I used my better judgement and cut 2.

I used 31 inches of no roll elastic 3/4 inch wide. Initially I used 44 inches of elastic that a previous pattern suggested, and worked, but the man changed his mind during try-on and preferred them really tight - because he has no rear to hold up his pants.

The hems are a narrow 1/4 inch on the legs, gross. So, add 1/4-inch next time to do at least ½, though I would prefer an inch hem.

Buttonholes: step #19 says “put in buttonholes” that's it, no further instruction where or how, apparently to insert cording. But that is not shown on the diagram or covered in any of the instructions.

step 12 to 13 - No instructions to under stitch the pocket seams to the pocket side, remember to do this next time. Also, clean up with serging on the straight edge of pockets before attaching or you will regret it later.

I thought instructions in the Burda magazine were terrible, you would think it would be a little bit better in the paper envelope, but the instructions were just terrible. It's easy enough to sew shorts, but if I was a beginner, I would need more instruction.

 

The man's thoughts: he prefers knits. He says cotton is scratchy and he's not really fond of it. His favorite shorts are the Greenstyle Hamptons that I made a while back in 2018; he wears them nonstop. Those would be his perfect pattern. He also doesn’t like that these don't have a fly and he wishes there was a fly. However, they fit well, and the length is good, and the crotch is nice and snug, not droopy.

Simplicity 1021 View C

measurements at the time: actual waist: 47 pants waist: 44 hip 46.5

Size sewn: straight 48

Date started and finished: 01/20/24

The pattern gives no waist measurement only a hip measurement. I sized up to extra-large because the pattern gave me the measurement of 47 - 49 inch hip for XL and 43 - 45 inch hip for L

HOWEVER the actual pattern piece says extra-large 46 - 48 inches for hip and it lists a finished measurement of 53 inches on the hip

Also, no fabric requirement was listed for just the shorts.

 

Pieces 7,8,9,10 and 11 are for the shorts All of the pattern pieces were on one sheet except piece #11, WHY? Piece #11 is the elastic length guide, why is it not on the sheet with every other pattern piece I don't know, however, for extra-large it is 1” x 41” for pattern piece #11, the elastic guide. Made absolutely no sense to unfold a huge flimsy pattern sheet for just that measurement.

I started with two yards, and I had 11 inches leftover, so I would say 2 yards are needed for the shorts. Thanks, Simplicity, for not saying how many yards I needed for just the shorts.

Fabric: 45" Camelot Fabrics Looney Tunes That's All Folks, purchased from Marshall Dry Goods on 06/27/23, 2 yards for $4.99/yard.

Shading in the instructions drove me crazy because it's wrong!! It's opposite - right side up was shaded and wrong side up was white, when it should be the other way around - so I was getting confused and I kept looking at the beginning and the beginning of the instructions show, like every pattern, RSU white and WSU is shaded.

There is no instruction to have you stabilize the fly where the snaps or buttonholes go. At step 5-6, in the future, stabilize at the fly where the buttonholes or snaps go.

The Pattern does have a nice 1-inch hem on the legs.

Overall, these instructions were better than the Burda instructions - besides the shading mess up. These also have a real fly, which is nice, however I knew right away that they weren't going to be a favorite for my husband for the exact reasons he lists below.

 

The man's thoughts: he doesn't like scratchy cotton; he likes knits better as above. These pajama shorts also have a very droopy crotch, yet very short legs and are very poofy in the legs, too. He was reminded of his grandpa's old boxer shorts for this pattern. He does not like it. He does not want me to make it ever again. He prefers his shorts to reach his knees. He grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, so he likes things long. He does not like the length of these short shorts.

Side by Side Comparison:

There you have it, the winner is Burda 6741 even though the instructions are terrible, there's no real fly, and they aren’t knit. (it's easy enough to change it to a real fly, but the instructions are still terrible) Since my husband prefers knit fabric, I won't be making either of these again. Unfortunately, I had other flannel and cotton fabrics for him in my stash…… I guess I get to find other uses for them.

Happy Sewing!

Kristin