Sewing

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From my studio last week: May 31, 2011

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So this was all that came out of my studio last week.  One pair of little girl bike shorts.  A test pair, at that.  I traced a pair of little girl’s leggings and I wanted to make sure that I got the pattern right before I started using my “good” fabric.  Good, meaning old t-shirts that don’t have stains on them.  As opposed to the knit that I used for this project – an old t-shirt WITH stains all over the front.   I’m  classy like that.

I have plans this week to shorten some thrift store capris into awesome shorts for me.  And of course to use that bike shorts pattern to make up a bunch of shorts for little girl to wear under her playdresses this summer. 

Would there be any interest in a tutorial for how I traced the leggings/bike shorts?  It’s a little different than most of the methods I’ve seen.  Most tutorials have you fold the pants in half and trace around, giving the same shape to the front and back crotch.  But if you look closely, you’ll see that the back crotch is longer than the front.  If you just fold them in half, part of the back crotch wraps around to the front.  My anal-retentive self wanted to figure out how to replicate those shapes without cutting the pants.  Anyway, if it’s something you’d like to see, I’d be happy to share it.

Comments

  2. I would love to see a tutorial too. I have had the same thoughts about the crotch needing to be different. Thanks for sharing

  6. I’d love to see a tutorial on this PLEEEEEZE! It couldn’t come at a better time ready for those long, hot days of summer (whenever they arrive)!

  7. share! i just took 8 pairs of my daughters leggings and cut them off for under play dresses. i would love to make some new ones.

  8. I have a pair of my own leggings that I’ve been wanting to use as a pattern…thanks for helping to make me brave (by showing others do it, too).

  9. What a great idea, reusing old t-shirts! We’ve got plenty of those around our house. Thanks for the tutorial.

Have you read?

Easy Cosmetics Bag Sewing Pattern

The bag is simple, uses very little fabric (about 2/3rds of a fat quarter), has no fussy inside pockets (although you can add your own if you like), and takes me well less than 30 minutes to print the pattern, cut out and sew. But quick and simple doesn’t mean it’s not awesome!

It’s the sort of bag that is versatile enough to be used for lots of applications, not just cosmetics and toiletries. Keep all your pens and pencils in order, use it for a small first aid kit for the car, keep it in your desk at work for a few headache pills and other personal supplies.

Make some for yourself, for gifts or to sell.