Shorts and Suspenders

Easter is coming so it's clearly time for some super cute sewing. Normally, we would sew an Easter dress, but this year we're thinking a bit outside the box, with some very versatile separates in disguise. I made four pieces that can be recombined well after the chocolate bunnies are gone (because mom ate them to fuel her middle of the night sewing). 

These are the Clover Shorts from Welcome to the Mouse House which I think we can safely say are my favorite little girl shorts. They are so classic and comfy, and those pleats somehow pull the easiest look together. In this case I'm using the pleats as a visual anchor for some super spiffy DIY suspenders (more on that in a bit). These shorts are sewn in light weight denim from Joann.

The t-shirt is the School Bus Tee from Oliver + S made with the cap sleeve. The fabric was a serious find at Fleishman Fabrics (my local fabric shop on 4th street just below Fitzwater). I got it a few weeks ago, so if you live in the neighborhood run, don't walk, to Fleishman's. They sell out of such gems fast. A white tee isn't the flashiest thing to sew, but I know you'll see it mixed in around here in the future.

This collar was made using the Removable Peter Pan Collar tutorial from Danielle Wilson. I modified it so the tie would be in the front rather than the back creating a bit of a Colonel Sanders/Tweedle Dee look (but in a good way I hope). The fabric is from the very last tiny scraps of my Vintage May dress, it Liberty of London Heidi C.

The separates quality of this outfit will come in handy later. Shorts for the park. T-shirt goes with everything. Collar will also look great with our Franklin Dress. Suspenders to mix in to L's wardrobe just for fun.

You'll find my complete suspender tutorial on the Petit a Petit + Family blog today. I promise you, it's easy and all of the hardware is available at Joann, so you still have time to whip up a few pairs before you have to take photos of your kiddos holding easter baskets in front of daffodils!

***

DETAILS

Shorts Pattern: Willow and Co. Clover Shorts by Welcome to the Mouse House

Shorts Fabric: Light Weight Denim from Joann

Tee Pattern: School Bus Tee by Oliver + S

Tee Fabric: Cotton Jersey from Fleishman Fabric

Collar Pattern: Removable Peter Pan Collar by Danielle Wilson

Collar Fabric: Liberty London Heidi C from Fancy Tiger Crafts

SweetKM DIY Suspender Tutorial on Petit a Petit + Family

KCW Day 2 - Clover Shorts as Capri Pants

If you're wondering what kind of knucklehead makes linen pants for a 4 year old. It's me. After I attached the waistband I turned these babies right side out and realized what I had done. Linen is for retiring southern gentlemen, not kids who play on the floor. I think these are some sweet looking pants, but they just get more wrinkled as the photos go on.

You may recognize this as a Willow & Co. Clover Shorts hack. (The Clover Shorts pattern was designed by Hayley of Welcome to the Mouse House.) Making this pattern a second time reminded me how much I like it. Those few simple details (belt loops, pleats, cuffs) add a whole lot of style, and no fuss in making. I started cutting my fabric during the BBC and was finished before Radio Times. Still in my PJs, but finished.

(The t-shirt is from a few months ago, more about it HERE.)

PATTERN: More about the Clover Shorts Pattern in my pervious post. Now on to the capri part of the equation.

ALTERATIONS: I added 10 inches to the length, and tapered the crap out of them. Tapering required a bit of finessing of the original leg opening. I started the taper on the back leg pattern piece just about where the pocket opening hits that piece. For the front, I just continued the line of the outer edge, but I did taper the inner edge just a bit. I measured the 10” from the corner where the pleat lines hit the bottom edge of the pattern piece. The cuffs are 4" deep rectangles that are the same length as the circumference of the leg opening. After the seaming and the fold, it leaves about 1" of cuff showing. 

FABRIC: I used a hot-ish pink linen from Fabric.com. The pocket linings are a scrap of quilting cotton I had left over from a long ago purchase from the Hey Day Shop. The lovely little buttons are from my vintage stash. I am pleased to say that L noticed the pocket lining immediately and was thrilled. So nice when the details are appreciated.

I'm just going to overlook the problems with linen at preschool, cause I think these pants are pretty sharp. 

Linking up with KCW here.

***

The Gingercake pattern GIVEAWAY is still open. Not feeling lucky? Buy a lunch bag pattern from the Gingercake shop this week and Virginia will donate 20% to No Kid Hungry.

***

Willow & Co. Clover Shorts

I usually take my time, considering patterns for months before buying them. I like to figure things out for myself, so I need a pretty good reason to purchase a pattern. For some reason, I saw the Clover Shorts pattern on the Willow & Co. launch day, and just bought it. The designer is Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House.

PATTERN: The Clover Shorts drew me in with it's thoughtful details. I LOVE the pockets, belt loops and pleats. This is a very classic design, that packs a lot into a small package. The PDF is well constructed, and is easy to put together. The instructions are clear and very simple. This pattern would be great for a new sewist.

FABRIC: The fabric is from the kid's Easter outfits, and the main reason I bought the pattern. My biggest hurdle to starting a project is choosing fabric. I figured I had just enough of both prints left to squeeze one more project out of them. The belt is three scraps sewn together. I saved every last shred of the Liberty floral, you will be seeing that again in some teeny tiny way. The buttons are vintage, and chosen because I had 3, and needed 3.

FIT: I made a 5 (L is 4 1/2) without even measuring. The fit is a little bunchy in the back, just above the tush. Either the hip area is too tight or the back rise is too high. I don't normally make a muslin for kids clothes, as they have minimal curves. Next time, I'll do a little tinkering with the rise before I attach the waistband.

ALTERATIONS: My only minor pattern change was that I took 1 1/4" off of each belt loop. I didn't want them to hide the pleats so much in the front. I also made the sash 2" longer than specified, to make the most of the fabric I had left.

I love the idea of the sash, but it covers the other details. When I took it off, L put it on her head. Not a bad solution. Overall, this is a good pattern, I will be making it again.

L's t-shirt is store bought, but I'm in hot pursuit of a handmade shirt to go with these shorts that won't hide the waistband details. Any pattern suggestions?