Happy Saturday, guys! I am so happy to have the wonderful Kari from That’s So Kari here. I have known Kari for a while now and she is so talented. Just recently, she created a pocket tutorial for the Brownie Goose Sailor Shorts. Awesome~
Today, she is here to share another version of the Brownie Goose Shorts… Plus a Giveaway (scroll to the end)!!!!
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Brownie Goose Summer Sailor Shorts –
Remix Edition
From this:
To this:
Hi everyone, I’m Kari, from That’s-Sew-Kari. I love being a stay-at-home mom to my two cutie-pie daughters. When I’m not chasing my littles around, you can usually find me at my sewing machine. I used to sew Barbie clothes and scrunchies back when I was around 10 (yikes, that was forever ago!). Last September, I bought myself a sewing machine and dove in. I discovered the world of PDF patterns in April and my sewing has entered a whole new dimension!
Hayley has invited me (okay, I may have invited myself…haha) to share my remix edition I did of the Brownie-Goose Summer Sailor Shorts. Now, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about these shorts. And if this is the first you’re hearing about them, don’t worry! I was living under the same rock just 3 months ago. This pattern was my very first PDF pattern purchase. It was love at first sight! In fact, it’s the only shorts pattern I own. I thought people may start to notice, though, if I made my girls 50 pairs of sailor shorts in different fabrics, so I had an idea!
What if I took this great pattern and did a little remix? First, I had to decide what look I wanted. My girls really love pockets on their shorts to collect lots of treasures so I knew I had to have pockets. Now, I’ve added functioning pockets already to a previous pair of BG Summer Sailors, but I wanted a different look. I also knew I wanted the shorts to be a bit shorter. I also wanted more of a brown paper bag type of waist with belt loops and a belt! Wow, that’s a lot of changes. But, I look at PDF patterns as almost a blank slate. So I got to work.
These are the changes I made to an already fabulous pair of shorts:
1.) I shortened the pattern a bit.
2.) I made raised pockets with a faux piping effect.
3.) I flipped the bottom cuff down instead of up
4.) I made a brown paper bag type waist with belt loops.
5.) I created a fabric belt.
Let’s get started, shall we?
1.) I shortened the pattern a bit.
I really wanted these shorts to hit about mid-thigh on my daughter so I cut out the correct size width-wise (in my case, size 3), but I cut the length at the 6-12m size. Since I was leaving the cuff on the bottom flipped down, I knew that would add a bit of length as well.
2.) I made raised pockets with a faux piping effect.
To make these pockets, I took my pocket pieces I made from my first tutorial (adding functioning pockets to the Summer Sailor pattern) and rounded the corner to make it more appealing. I cut out 2 pieces for each pocket, one in my main fabric and one in my lining. Pick a lining you want people to see because this is what creates the faux piping effect.
Take 1 of each piece and place them right side together. Sew the whole way except for the side seam – leave that open to turn your pocket.
Before turning right side out, notch along the curved edges to along your seams to have them
lay nicely.
Turn right side out. Head over to your iron and slightly shift your pocket so that your lining peeks out on the concave side (the side your girl will stick her hand in!).
Iron into place. Topstitch that edge.
Repeat with other pocket.
Okay, now that you’ve got your two pockets with faux piping, let’s figure out placement! Take your front shorts pieces and lay them out in front of you. I shifted my pocket upwards leaving 1 ¾ inches above the shorts and sideways leaving about ½ inch over the side.
I am using my pocket tops to double as belt loops! Genius, huh?
Once you’ve got your pockets where you want them, sew them onto the shorts front along the convex edge (convex, concave – never thought I’d use those words again ever. Haha)
VERY IMPORTANT: Leave the top half inch or more unsewn. You will thank me later when you go to sew your waist!
Continue using your Brownie-Goose pattern tutorial. Stop before you get to the bottom cuffs.
3.) I flipped the bottom cuff down instead of up and shortened it.
When I first set out to make these shorts, I wanted a scalloped cuff. Well, that turned out disastrous. Seriously horrid. I knew I wanted to have cuffs that turned down instead of up. Unfortunately because of my attempt at the scallops, I was running low on material. So instead of the 4” tall cuffs in the pattern, I cut out 2” tall cuffs.
Okay, once you have your cuff pieces cut out, fold them in half width-wise, right sides together. Before you sew them, sew your shorts in both the rise and crotch area Then, measure your leg openings. With that measurement, mark your seam line on your cuffs. Sew the ends together.
Turn right side out and fold in half wrong sides together, matching the raw edges.
Repeat for other leg cuff.
Now, grab your shorts and slide the cuff over the bottom of your shorts, lining up the seam of the cuff with your inner leg seam. Match the raw edges and pin into place.
Sew using a ¼” inseam. Finish edges with serger, zig zag or overlock stitch (and I HIGHLY recommend the overlock foot if you are without a serger!). Take your shorts over to the iron and flip the cuff down, and press the seam upward. Topstitch 1/8” from edge on the shorts panel.
4.) I made a brown paper bag type waist with belt loops.
Okay, almost done! Let’s make that waist! Flip the tops of your pocket pieces down and pin out of the way.
Follow the pattern instructions to get the required length for your size and sew accordingly. Don’t forget to leave an opening for your elastic! (If you want to use your pocket lining as the inside portion of the waist, cut 2” wide strips of both your main fabric and lining. Sew, right sides together, proceed as normal.)
To create the brown-paper bag effect, sew a seam all the way around your waistband 3/4” to 1” up from your bottom seam depending on your width of elastic.
Topstitch 1/8” from the top of the waist as well to give a finished look. Now, let’s sew on the belt loops before adding the elastic! Flip your pocket tops back up. They should line up with your waistband. Sew the bottom of the belt loops by stitching along the seam where the waist meets the shorts.
Then, sew the top of the belt loops meeting up with the topstitching already in place. If your loops are too long, fold them under at the top before stitching.
The first pair I made, I eyeballed it correctly. This time, I overshot it just a smidge.
If a back belt loop is desired create a square out of lining and fabric (sew RST, flip out, topstitch… yada, yada, yada) to make a rear belt loop and sew into place.
Now, you are ready to add your elastic! Measure your child’s waist and subtract 1 ½”. Cut elastic to match. Thread it through the casing and sew the overlap. Close up the waist band/shorts opening. Finish raw edges and iron in place. Adjust the elastic so it is gathered evenly!
Woo hoo!! Aren’t your shorts just the cutest?! If you don’t have a favorite belt to match and would like to make a fabric one, stick around for just a few more minutes!
5.) I created a fabric belt.
The first pair I made of these shorts, I had a belt/tie going all the way around the waist, but I have since decided I’m not a fan of the belt all the way around. Since my daughter is 4, it’s probably not the safest anyway. BUT, I love the look so I created a faux tie to utilize those belt loops I added.
First, decide your length. It will vary depending on the size shorts you made. You want them long enough that you can tie into a square knot. Size 3 was around 12 inches for the faux belt. I would at double it for a full belt (always measure first!). Cut out your pieces (4 for faux and 2 for continuous) and place right side together. Take one corner and fold down at a 45 degree angle.
Repeat on the other tie (end if you have a continuous). Leave an opening to turn right side out. I used the straight ends and then just tucked in my seam allowance, ironed and topstitched all the way around
closing it up.
(If you made a continuous belt, thread through the loops and enjoy! You’re done!) If you made a faux belt like me, we need to secure it to the side seams of your shorts. I folded my ends in on the wrong side to meet. Then wrong side facing up and finished straight edge pointing toward the front of your shorts, pin into place. Sew.
Flip the belt forward and sew another line down just for reinforcement.
Repeat on opposite side.
Thread through your front loops and tie in a square knot (Right over left, left over right)
To quote the wonderful Amy Norris of Brownie-Goose… “YAHOOOOOOS!!”
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| Close up of details — pocket, belt loop, button detail on cuff, square knot, and back view |
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Hayley of Mouse House Creations for letting me share my tutorial with you today! And a special thanks to one of my most favorite designers ever, Amy Norris of Brownie-Goose! Your designs and patterns are top-notch and always a pleasure to sew!
Amy has so graciously given us a copy of the ever-famous Brownie-Goose Summer Sailor Shorts for one of you lucky readers to win! To visit her Etsy shop, click HERE. I just love her patterns!
– love Kari Steiger
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hayley
Hayley Crouse is a wife, mother and multifaceted designer. Her love of sewing, crafting, cooking and interior design infuses her daily life and naturally spills over into her online presence. She pushes the envelope of her creativity and hopes that others will be inspired to do the same. She currently authors the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog, is the pattern designer behind Mouse House Creations and is a collaborative designer with Willow & Co. Patterns.
Latest posts by Hayley (see all)
- Music Room: Home Tour - January 11, 2019
- The Ace Cardigan - July 30, 2018
- Susie Halter Top and Shorts: Project Run and Play - July 18, 2018
My favorite BG pattern are the Sailor shorts love them.
I like the lazy susan!
Desi
desi at weeshare.net
I love the nelle and the lazy susan 🙂
My favourite too, love the shape! and they look so cute with that little top 🙂
Thank you! It’s the top portion of the free Elegance and Elephants Pleated Playsuit 😉
I love the color blocking of The Lazy Susan dress.
I love the sailor shorts. They’ve been on my Must Have list for awhile now!
I love the sailor shorts. They’ve been on my Must Have list for awhile now!
I’ve been eying the Henrietta pants.
The summer sailors!
I LOVE The Lily Ruffler! 🙂
I sew need to get some sewing done.
My favorite pattern is the Summer Sailor shorts, so cute and versatile!!!
Awesome remake!! 🙂 I guess I’d say the Blondie is my favorite BG pattern for now since it’s the only one I’ve made yet! 😉
Thanks so much!
I LOVE this remake! I also Love the Blondie. It’s my favorite BG pattern 🙂
Thank you! I have the Blondie, but haven’t gotten around to sewing one up yet.
The Tilly is my favorite. Although I haven’t done it yet…just eyeing it from afar. Someday! 🙂
I am really digging the seaside shorts !! Thanks for the great giveaway your patterns are awesome !!
The Nelle. Love it!
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Love the nelle, but these shorts are so cute. I need this pattern.
Thank you!
I love love love the Sleepy Jeans!!
The Tilly and the sailor shorts are my favorites 🙂
I adore all her patterns! Her style is amazing! I think if I had to pick though it would be the Nelle top with the Lily ruffler pants 🙂
The sailor shorts are my favorite 😉
My favorite Brownie-Goose pattern is the Nelle dress <3
sailor shorts, definitely!
sailor shorts, definitely!
I love the Sailor shorts!
The Darby shorts are adorable
You won!! Check your email and reply 🙂
I would choose the Tilly Dress
My favourite Brownie Goose pattern would be the Summer Sailor Shorts pattern, have been eyeing them off for a while but it is just too cold here at the moment. 🙁 Followed closely by the Blondie, so cute!
My favorite pattern is The Blondie. bjn1957{at}gmail{dot}com
I only have the blondie, so it has to be my favorite for now!
I love the Summer Sailor Shorts!!
I Have the Blondie top pattern and now I really need these shorts! they are my new favorite!
nelle
Amazing, By Far My Favorite Pattern. I’ve Been Wanting It Since It Came Out.
Thanks! It definitely my fave too.
My favorite Brownie Goose pattern is the Tilly! Love the sweet look:)
The clam diggers and sailor shorts are my faves 🙂 So cute!
the lily ruffler looks pretty sweet as does the lake dress! The boys’d love the shorts!
Love the Blondie paired with the Sailor Shorts!!
Love the sailor shorts!
Love the sailor shorts….
Oh man, favorite Brownie Goose pattern?! So hard! I would say…..well…..I guess the Milly!
I love this pattern, and I also love the Seaside Shorts also. If I don’t win, I will have to decide which one to buy.
clam diggers are my favorite. I also like the Seaside shorts.
I love the sailor shorts and all the variations I can imagine to use with it. It is hard to find a cute short pattern, and this certainly qualifies!
My favorite is the Nelle!
Love this!
Thank you 🙂
My favorite is the Nelle, but I could make that a double favorite with the shorts you made.
My favorite BG patterns are the Sailor shorts, Blondie and Nellie (I haven’t bought the Nellie yet but I want too).
Love, love, love this!!
Thank you very much!
The Lazy Susan is my fave but I can’t wait to try these shorts!
I love the sailor shorts .I’ve made several pairs now.
I love the sailor shorts .I’ve made several pairs now.
I love the Summer Sailors and Nelle but not made either yet. It’s great to see some variations of the pattern, thank you!
You’re welcome, glad you like them!
Those shorts are so cute! It would be hard to choose, but I definitely think the sailor shorts would win out!
Thank you! It’s my favorite pattern as well 🙂
I love the remix edition of the sailor shorts..I’ve made a few pair for friends.
Thanks! I’d love for you to share your pictures on my facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/ThatsSewKari
I love the sailor shorts!
Sorry it posts hubby’s name
I adore the Nelle dress!!!
Amazing job Kari! My favorite BG patterns have been the Tilly and the clam diggers. That being said I have the sailor shorts plus a few others waiting in my cart.
Thanks Leha!
My favorite is the Milly! It is fancy, but still good for everyday. Love it!
I love the summer sailors.
sntbosch(at)me(dot)com
Would love to have this pattern!
The Milly Dress is my favorite! Thanks for the giveaway!!