guest post – Sanae Ishida

It’s shorts on the line time! I’m so honored to be included in this amazing line-up of guest bloggers, and how perfect is this sew-along event? We all need summer shorts for our kiddos (and ourselves), and you have the chance to win superb prizes while sewing up a pair or two or three!

I made a couple of shorts/outfits and I’m excited to share them with you today. As always, I used Japanese patterns for most of these outfits. But I’m branching out a little, and I actually self-drafted that black-and-white stripey tee! I accidentally stained an Anthro dress , and I had just enough to eke out this slim tee for K. There’s a little bit of staining at the bottom of the tee, but we’ll ignore that. I had gotten the dress on sale and it didn’t fit me all that well anyway, and I really like how the shirt turned out.

But I’m supposed to be talking about shorts! First up is this little blue linen number that I wasn’t too keen about when I saw it in this book:

I’m not the only one who finds that shot on the right a little awkward, am I? But I made this chevron top (love this fabric), and wanted some shorts that flared out to go with it, and this had a nice silhouette. I am in love with my version – it’s amazing how fabric makes all the difference. I used this same linen for a spring coat for KCW and it’s the perfect summer linen. Such lusciousness.

What I love about the shorts is how easy they are. It seems like the gathered portion on the curves would be a little tricky, but really, it comes together super fast. And yet, so stylish, even when rumpled…the shirt, incidentally is from this book.

Très French, no?

This other outfit was something I waffled about quite a bit. I couldn’t decide on the right fabric, but in the spirit of the sew-along, I wanted to recycle/upcycle. As mentioned, the tee is upcycled, and I was especially proud of myself for using thrifted fabric for the suspender shorts or “Saropette” as it’s called in this book.

“Salopette” (updated! the Japanese book version is wrong) is French for dungarees or overalls. I thought this light teal fabric was linen at first, but even after three washes, there is a distinct odor of mothbolls, which leads me to believe there’s a high polyester content, perhaps even 100% (ugh). The facing fabric is the same as the one used for the top in the other outfit.

Is it me, or does it make you think of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum? I like that the shoulder straps are tied into loops, so no hardware necessary. A rather clever design, and I’m digging the vintage vibe. Here’s what it looks like in the book (I omitted the frills on the hem – not my style):

I’ve been wanting to make these for awhile. Not quite as quick or easy as the flare shorts above, but once I figured out that I had sewn the back piece incorrectly and rectified the situation, it all went smoothly. I want to make another pair in wool for fall!

Thanks Carla and Rachael for letting me join in the fun! I’m a little intimidated to be included among such impressive sewing bloggers. I mean, Cirque du Bebe?? Speaking of which, Sophie of Project Sewn fame (and other fabulousness – I’m such a huge fan) is posting for Shorts on the Line today too, so check it out!