Bottoms Up!

As you all know I've doing my best with the sewing, and before I headed off to Canada on holiday, I had mainly focussed my efforts on dresses. But whilst I was away, I tried and tried to find a pair of shorts I really loved. I spent a ridiculous amount of time in all my favourite stores trying to find THAT pair but I kept failing.

In Niagara Falls, there is a massive Fabricland. Now I know y'all must think its a bit mental doing fabric shopping on holiday especially when I work in a fabric store, but I love Fabricland. Let me put it this way; I bought 5 patterns, fabric for each pattern, tons of notions and some rather jazzy sewing aids(that I'm not quite sure who I managed to make things sucessfully without them in the past!)...the total for all this? Less that 100 bucks! BARGAIN!(even at the current exchage rate!)

Having failed in the shops, I thought why not look for a pattern and try making shorts. Patterns are the same accross the world so I felt pretty confident I would find something. I went through all my go-to pattern company books but to no avail. Finally I tried the Kwik Sew book. I've never used KS patterns and haven't heard much feedback about them. But I browsed and found a pair of shorts I really liked. So I thought 'why not' and bought some awesome jacquard to make them with.

When I got home, the first thing I decided to make were the shorts. I am now a fully fledged Kwik Sew Fan! The pattern was perfect! First, its printed on paper, actual paper! I hate the tissue that all the other companies use, mostly because I can be a bit careless and manage to tear most patterns I use. But with this pattern, no danger of doing that! Second, its sooo clear to used, both the markings and the instructions! Happy with all this, I set off to make my shorts!

I love them, I couldn't have asked for a better pair! I keep joking with everyone that they're like a nappy. The front panel and pocket panels seperate to allow you to take them on and off(sort of like a nappy) so need for a fidly zip insertation! WIN! And I love that they're a bit longer in length, cause most shorts are a bit on the short side for me. Finally, Kwik Sew have amazing sizing. Whilst most companies go for the conventional number sizing, KS use XS-XL in all patterns! Far easier to work out which size you are.

So the finished product...


Since the sucess of these, I've decided to try another pair, this time a McCalls pattern that wasn't available whislt I was away. I've also made some simple skirts, from large remnants, that I've adapted some exisitng patterns to make.