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 7th, 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
it makes my frugal heart so happy.
