Today Dixie is rubbing it in about the usual mild winters we get here in Central Texas…though I don’t think she’s wearing these shorts this week!
Hi Melly Sews readers! I’m Dixie and today I’m showing off my new Oceanside Shorts.
It's the middle of winter here in Texas but it's still warm enough that I can take pictures outside wearing shorts.
The pattern calls for drapey bottom weight material but the fabric I used is actually a cotton shirting. I got this fabric for free from a fabric swap. It actually works pretty well with this design although the thinner fabric does get pretty wrinkly. But the fabric looks like linen and these are a casual style so I think that's okay.
They were quick to make - no side seams, no zipper, patch pockets. I serged all my seam allowances and tied knots at the ends of my drawstrings.
I like that the drawstring isn't just one long length of fabric. It's two fabric tubes attached to a piece of elastic hidden in the middle. You only see the fabric drawstrings in the front but the elastic makes the waistband more snug in the back. The only thing I wish I would have done different was to use a better quality elastic. I can tell that it doesn't have good recovery and it stretches out too much.
I rolled up the hem of the legs twice (just personal preference) but the above pic is the full length of the shorts. It's easy to make them longer or shorter if you want.
For the pockets I used two metal anchor buttons that went perfectly with blue and white stripes. I may not be at the beach but the buttons give the shorts a fun nautical vibe.
The more I wear these shorts the more I like them!
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