Two Pair Navy Linen-Cotton Shorts- Grainline Maritime and Simplicity 8134

I needed navy shorts, my pair was just worn out, you know the ugly navy faded out color.  My first thought was I need to go buy some shorts.  What, Lori?  Are you serious?  Well, I really do like the Loft shorts, they fit nicely and are a good length.  Well, I thought about it some more and knew I had some great linen-cotton stretch fabric.  Hey, Lori, make yourself a pair!



I loved my pair of wrap pants, Simplicity 8134 and wanted to try the shorts.  Especially after I saw Anita's pair, aren't they fabulous and doesn't she look amazing.  I had this Mood Fabrics' linen-cotton stretch, I purchased this fabric after seeing Erica's jacket.  I was going to make a jacket but the shorts would get worn so much more.  One thing interesting about the fabric - the stretch is lengthwise
from the Mood Site
"this shirting fabric consists of a nice give in the warp, parallel to the selvage, and absolutely no give in the weft. Of a lighter medium weight and with a crisp drape, use this sophisticated fabric for thicker shirts, light-weight suits and jackets, shorts and bottoms"

I don't consider this a shirting fabric, it has some substance to it, not a heavy twill bottomweight but good for a summer short.  

I did add a bit to the hips on this pattern, this time, the first pair felt just narrow to me.  Not sure with all the stretch I really needed it, but better safe.  Here is the back of the pants, I think it is a good fit right out of the pattern envelope

I wanted to try something different on my Pfaff Creative Icon, the Stitch Creator.  You can program a combination of decorative and/or text stitches for a specific stitchout.  I went with this pattern name and stitched it out on the inside waistband.  It shows be the back and reminds me the pattern name

I did run the stitching uphill  a bit, I was too busy taking a photo for Instagram and took my hands off the fabric!  I will know next time to keep hands on it and stitch it straight!


I had enough fabric to make one more pair and went with my favorite shorts pattern,
Grainline Maritime Shorts.  I have made these four times before and like them best with fabric some stretch.  I only have the floral pair still in my closet, the tan pair (no stretch) ended up a bit small and not too comfortable to wear.  I wore the other two pair so much, they were just worn out! 

The shorts do show some wrinkles but I wore them a bit before photos.

I made the inseam 5 inches on these and added the back pockets

A few changes I have made to the pattern.... Here is the photo from the Grainline website's tutorial for the shorts

Source-  Grainline Studio

I taped this pattern piece to my front pattern piece and just cut it all at once.  Seemed a bit easier like this.  I changed the front pocket construction like the Ginger Jeans, too.

I used some binding for the inside of the waistband, it is such a pretty finish.  I use this

 Closet Case tutorial

So two new pair of navy shorts to finish up the summer.  I like how they are each quite different, the Maritime will get worn more but the wrap shorts are just fun.

Anything you are trying to finish up for summer?  I have several things I want to finish before the seasons change.  I always get this feeling for a big push at the end of a season to make a few more garments.


Oh, one more thing, I made a cute granddaughter outfit before I changed serger thread. 
Simplicity 8706, view D and I used some leftover Rifle Paper & Co fabric to make this little dress.  It has a side pocket and I had the print rayon which looked really good with the navy floral.

I did have just enough fabric to make this work but had to had a center back seam.  While sewing the hem, I noticed a hole in the fabric.  I used a bit more of the print rayon and covered the hole.  A design element!