So….who else out there took advantage of our unbelievably priced bolts of 10oz knits?!? I know there’s lots of you out there with your hands up because at one point we had at least 4 shelving units full of them and now we’re down to only a few bolts in total! I mean, it completely makes sense, how can you pass them up when they work out to $4/yd?!?
I started off just purchasing the Charcoal 2-Tone Grey bolt and then decided to also get the Bluebell and Orchid because at that price, they would be perfect for learning my new serger! So I bought them, and then there they sat, just like in the picture, leaning up against my fabric shelves, just hanging out, looking all cute but not being utilized at all….until last week!!!!!!
Finally, after months and months of just sitting there because I was apparently a big chicken, I decided enough was enough and I bit the bullet (see there’s the title lol)!
Confession time….I’m the worst clothing shopper for myself because, as lots of us are, I’m a continual work in progress as I don’t think I’ve ever been completely happy with my appearance/size! As such, the last thing I’d like to do with my precious spare time is spend it in a clothing store getting depressed that “nothing fits”! So what I end up doing is wearing the same clothes for literally years or when I do purchase something new, it’s from Costco and you better believe it’s stretchy and comfy, oh and black lol!
So, getting back to the knit bolts, I decided that I was going to make myself some shorts!!! I purchased several patterns for knit clothing when I got my serger so I already knew what pattern to use so all I needed to do was, well, DO IT, and I did!
I was using the Slim Fit Joggers pattern by Winter Wear Designs and it told me I’d need 1 3/4 yds for a long, knee length short so I cut that off, threw it in the wash, printed my pattern pieces, cut and sewed them together and before I knew it, the “magic” was happening!
Now before the actual sewing began, I was stumped for a few minutes! This pattern is for knit materials….but the instructions do not refer to serging at all, other than the odd part where it says to serge or zig zag your finished seam. It seriously took me a minute to figure out if I could indeed use my serger lol, I understand some of you are probably laughing at me right now and that’s OK lol, I’m just such a direction follower when it comes to sewing that if you tell me to do something a certain way, that’s how I’m going to do it, no questions asked!!! I sat with it for a second, thought it through and then kicked my butt and realized of course I could so off I went, and I can absolutely say that I didn’t have any problems at all, not even a one!
You might also remember that my Judi Juki is a straight stitch machine only but I still used her for the top-stitching and it worked completely fine! I use a 4mm stitch length and stretch the fabric slightly when I’m sewing it and it’s perfect! I do a stretch-test on the seams after to make sure there’s still “give” and there is! I was also nervous to do the waistband for some reason, but again, easy-peasy, no issues at all!
So within 2 evenings, I had started and completed the cutest pair of shorts and ladies and gentlemen….they fit!!!! Isn’t that a sickly feeling when you’re about to put on the finished item to see how it looks/fits?!? Even though there were several times I tried them on throughout the process, there’s still the possibility that something went haywire in the last few steps but nope, not this time, they were great….and here they are:
These were not easy to photograph so forgive me for my less than “wow” pics, bit hopefully you an still see how awesome they are….and yes, those are actual functional, nice deep pockets on the side! I really like the seam that runs down the front as well, it just adds a nice detail to them and next time I might use a contrasting thread in a fun colour just to really draw your attention in! This time I used Dolphin Glide thread and it blends perfectly…next time a purple perhaps?!?
There are a couple of things I would change next time:
- I measured myself and according to those measurements, it said I would need a 3x, which I have to say, shocked me lol! I’ve never worn a 3x in anything, usually a 2x if I want lots of room, and I always do lol, but although it’s “just a number”, I just couldn’t do it lol! I went with a 2x and after wearing them, wish I had actually gone with an XL so will make that size next time! Also, there’s no judgement here for anyone who does wear a 3X, I’m strictly speaking about me!!
- These patterns have so many options in leg lengths, finishes, pockets/no pockets, as well as waist options. I chose the high waist option because I don’t enjoy a “below the bellybutton waist” on anything but this waist is so high I find I’m folding it in half anyways so I should have just done the regular option, which I will also do next time!
The final verdict…..awesome pattern and even with the larger size and higher waistband….they’re so stinkin’ comfortable!!!! They came together so easily, the instructions were clear and precise and I ended up with some very cute and quite professional looking shorts so yay me!!!
Now in case at this point of my post, you’re thinking to yourself, “I’d like to make myself some $8 shorts like Shawna did!” I’ll gladly share the link to the remaining bolts of Knits here! Even at full price, our knits are a great price so if there isn’t a colour you’re jiving with in the full bolt section, just check out our knits that we sell by the yard HERE and I’m sure you’ll find something you love there for only a fraction more money!
Well that’s all for now my friends, I’m off to gently rub some “Afterburn” lotion on my accidentally burnt skin! 2 full days at ball parks on super sunny days got me looking a little lobster-ish lol! Thanks again for reading my sewing antics, I appreciate each and every one of you! Cheers!
Shawna
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