Plaid Hot Pants

OK so I know I said I was only going to sew along with PR&P once..... but I lied apparently.

I was flicking through my liked blog posts yesterday when I saw PR&P's themes for this season. I had a grumpy kidlet plastered to me so I thought I'd just have a little google-see at plaid kids clothes, especially as plaid kids clothes totally fit with my vintage aesthetic. 

I started thinking about plaid outfits I could sew for my miss, except none of my ideas were really that original. I becamefixated on a woollen, plaid hood I made for Layla from an old electric blanket (tutorial coming) and using plaid in an unusual way. And then I decided on hot pants, short shorts or running shorts whatever you want to call them. 

Because I used a woolen plaid they'll keep Layla plenty warm as Tasmania makes a pathetic effort to transition from winter to spring. I thrifted the material ages ago for a few bucks and the binding is vintage also.

I used Caila Made's Summer Shorts pattern as my starting point. I rounded the outside leg, and used bias on the hem and outside leg. That bias tape was tiny. I sewed it onto place and realised I'd have to hand stitch it if I wanted it to look any good wahhhh. So I sucked it up and sat on the couch, put some trashy tv on (Fashion Police) and got to it.

I then followed the Summer Shorts tutorial to construct the shorts. The one difference being that I didn't sew the side seams together before creating the waistband/casing. I simply tacked them in place. I added the heart buttons for two reasons 1: they're cute and 2: a bit of modesty. I had hopped to make a Banyan tunic to go with the shorts but didn't have enough stretch fabric. Jono's T-shirts were just too small. 

I'm pretty happy with how the shorts turned out. I might make Layla a few more pairs, apart from the bias binding they're a really quick sew. I was concerned that they might be a little to Nana, but I think the hot pant style and the buttons help them steer clear of nursing home fashion. At least I hope this isn't the latest trend at the nursing home... that Nana would want to have some rockin pins ;)

popover culottes

So this is the first time I've officially sewn along with Project Run & Play. I've started a couple of ideas before, but never finished in time to link up. I will not be sewing along for the whole season because I've got the worst time management skills in the world, but this challenge appealed to me.

I wasn't going to play along... but then this little idea kept milling in my head after seeing a chiffon Dotti top that had the arm and neck bound in chambray bias tape. The Oliver + S popover sundress pattern (which is a freebie) was a perfect way to achieve a similar look.

I mixed the pattern up by drafting culottes turning it into a play suit. The fact that it's super cute, looks like a skirt, but allows my toddler to run and jump and climb easily makes this perfect for spring. Which is hopefully just around the corner... except its Tassie and we aren't really known for sunshiny weather! 

This was the first time I've ever drafted anything more complicated then a peter pan collar. I used this tutorial to give me the guide lines, but had to change it up somewhat in order to make it work for a toddler ( I'm totally crushing on the coluttes she made. want. them.)

The culottes are made from 4 1/4 circle skirts so they drape perfectly which means when Layla is still its a pretty convincing skirt. The fabric is flora and fauna which I grabbed from Spotlight's clearance section, it's very light weight (ie see through) so the play suit is fully lined.

   

 

Drafting is hard, this took 3 muslins, mainly because I should never do math unsupervised. We are not best friend or even acquaintances, I can do it... but i don't like it!! That's why its a rushed post so I can squeeze it in before the deadline!! 

You know what else is hard, taking photos of a less then co operative 2 yr old. I even bribed her with chocolate!

Have you ever drafted you own pattern? Is math your frienemey  too?!