Tropical shorts {Dressmaking}

Same pattern as the denim short shorts, and a totally different result. It is amazing how much the fabric makes the pattern. It is great as this my favourite pattern, and that I can actually make the shorts on my own. 

I tried to take more pictures and add details on the process. The fabric is again stretchy but quite thick so hangs quite well. It is probably the fabric you would want for these shorts because of their shape. I bought the fabric ages ago and have no record of where I got it from... a real shame as I really like the fabric. 

I have made a size 42 and this time it was bigger (maybe it was the first time too and I forgot), and changed the size of darts for a better fit. I had to make them shorter. 

The invisible zip is not that invisible, but as I found in my stash the perfect coordinated colour it does not bother me. 

As with the denim shorts I made a feature of the hem with some raspberry bias tape. I like how it finishes the shorts. 

To hold the inner interfacing I usually stitch in the ditch in the darts and main seam. The pattern calls for glueing fabrics together - quite a lot actually - maybe it is because it is meant to be leather shorts.. 

The trickiest part of the construction is around the zip - at the top, it is really fiddly but totally makes sense. 

The actual hem is hidden, and done by hand.  

And here we are some shots of non-ironed shorts, ready to be styled some time soon! 

I am totally ready for the next heatwave! The pattern is available on the BurdaStyle website for download - if you wanted to make your own. 

Dotty Top {sewing}

I should have really posted about this top before it did not fit me any more. Actually it does fit me, i.e. I can squeeze the bump in, but it does not look as good as it used to - so no modelling on this occasion. The top is from the Burda magazine published in December 2011, under the reference 109B.  

When I saw the Burda picture I knew I had to make this top. It looks quirky (can you see the odd sleeves) and I loved the fabric they chose (but as per usual Burda fabric references seem to only be German, hmmm). So bought some dots fabric as I wanted a dotty top, and I took the pattern, the fabric and myself to the sewing course. I did know I would need help. I also did some research, and tried to find comments of others on this pattern. Already I was worried by the number of comments about the collar being way too big.

I also have a similar top with strings as a hem, and thought that might be a good finish to the top. It is so convenient, and with the beginning of pregnancy (very very beginning) I thought that might be the right way forward. Did the opening and made the string out of the fabric. All very easy. 

To make sure the collar was not too big the closing became a button, so it could be adjusted after trying the garment - it was a very good move. The collar is also a bit slimmer to balance the look.  

However despite all the modifications, I really did not like the top when I first tried it. I had to take some fabric out of the sleeves, I looked like I Mr Hulk - without the muscles. I made a little feature on the sleeves, hiding the modification, and tried to rebalance the overall look. 

Burda reckons this is an intermediate pattern. I am not sure, I had to change so many things that it is hard to recognise the pattern in the picture and the final result. However if you forget the original template, it is a really nice top to wear and really like the fabric.  


I did make shorts as well from the same Burda magazine (reference 112) and I had no problem with those whatsoever. So it may be only this pattern. Has anyone else tried it?