New obsession: Boys shorts.

Back in January, one of the things on my list of projects for 2011 was figuring out how to make a version of Mini Boden's knit shorts (for a fraction of the cost).  Done and Done.  And then done some more.  I'm kind of addicted (what's new?).

The problem with making these shorts?  Fabric selection.  I wanted a heavy cotton knit, and I was looking for something with stripes.  Let me save you some time (for all readers who are local)--this doesn't exist in St. Louis.  Also.  I didn't want to buy fabric online without ACTUALLY seeing/feeling it, and I sure didn't want to spend upward of $10 per yard, because while it would still  be cheaper than Mini Boden, it didn't (in my mind) justify the cost of KNIT PLAY SHORTS.  I mean, we're not talking about a 14 karat gold tuxedo here, people.

Every few weeks, I regularly peruse some thrift stores that are close to our house, because there is ALWAYS some piece of 2nd hand goodness that I have to have.  In this case, I was looking for old sweaters to recycle into new, smaller sweaters (tutorial HERE).  And that's when I came across the women's shirts.  And oh, there was my heavy knit, striped fabric--enough for one pair of shorts--for $2.

Oh, the knowledge.  I now feel like I have an entire thrift store worth of fabric.  I am in LOVE.

I went back for round #2, and decided to try working with a polo fabric--not pique, but a softer, brushed cotton? This pair of shorts (they look solid blue in the picture, but are actually very thin stripes) is lighter in weight, but it worked just as well.  And I can imagine that they will be delightful come August and the full force of the summer sun in its 117 degree glory. 

(pardon the threads...I was in a rush to get this picture while there was still natural light out)

I can't even begin to tell you how to make shorts--I give all the credit to Dana at Made for creating an EASY tutorial, for this very purpose (link HERE).   Her tutorial is for pants, but I will share a little secret:  If you're making shorts, just cut the pattern SHORTER.  I will tell you that making shorts or pants in this style is very easy--especially since I was going for a baggy, mini-boden style.  I'm still tweaking my pattern, because I think I want the legs slightly less flowy, however, I truly fear that doing so might inadvertently create a pair of knit, skinny capri pants for my boys.  It's a fine, fine line. 

The only thing I will add on to Dana's tutorial?  Because I was using an already-sewn garment as fabric?  Well, I decided to save myself some time and energy, and I used the bottom finished seam of the shirt as the bottom of my pant legs.  Make sense?  When I created my pattern (out of banner paper), I made sure to place the bottom of the pant leg directly on to the bottom of the shirt.  NO HEMMING.  And you have a perfectly finished seam, the way the big dog clothing manufacturers would do it.   And now I think my brain is starting to atrophy, because that is the best idea I ever had in my life.

For size reference:  My boys are 6 and almost 5, but they wear the same size (roughly a size 5).  The olive green striped pants were made from a women's XL knit shirt, the blue and white striped pair were made from a man's XL golf polo.  There were scrap bits to spare, but not enough for another pair of shorts (but would make GREAT scraps for embellishing a matching t-shirt...).

I feel a craft night coming on, because my boys could use 67 more pairs of these.