Summer Shorts

What's a common problem we all seem to face in America? Finding high-quality jeans! It may be a small problem, but it does bug me that the only pants I ever fit are at least $50. No way I'm spending that much money! Well, here's a way to get cute shorts for under $10.

First, raid your closet for any jeans or pants that fit well at the waist, hips, and thighs. Then find the pairs that have torn/grass stained knees, ratty bottoms, or that have gotten too short. As long as they still fit at the top, they'll do! If you don't own any of these, then go to a local thrift store and pick up a pair. Many cute pairs of jeans get thrown out just because they're torn along the bottom! The only other thing you need will be matching thread. If you don't have any around the house, take a trip to Walmart because thread is cheap there.

Next, put on said pair of jeans/pants and decide what length you want your shorts to be. I wanted mine to be somewhere between bermuda and mid-thigh. You can even make capris this way if you'd like! I'm not sure how well short shorts would work, but you can try it if you're into that sorta thing. Next, grab a pencil or pen (depending on how dark your jeans are) and lightly mark the length you want all the way around your leg. Take your pants off and cut 1" below your mark, then put your pants back on, check if the cut is straight, and adjust as needed. Finally, pin the edge under 1" and you're ready to sew!

First, sew a straight line 1/4" from the bottom of your shorts. Then sew a straight line 1/2" from the bottom. The two rows of stitching adds extra stability and keeps the edge from looking "wavy". Trim your threads and you're done! Piece of cake, right? My shorts were free because I had these cute but too-long Silver jeans lying around for the longest time. Now they're finally getting put to good use as comfy summer shorts!

Adorable Apron DIY

Sorry I haven't posted in so long! Life's been crazy with camping and rain, LOTS of rain! It even snowed for a few hours. Let's just say I had a wet week. Our tent even flooded! Well, at least is was memorable.
You'll all be excited to hear that I've once again been working on pioneer trek clothing! Today, I made my apron, which is SO CUTE! I really want to make one out of chevron fabric and use it as an everyday apron. Here's the tutorial.

Supplies:
1 yd muslin or white/cream fabric (42-44" width)
matching thread and contrast thread
tape measure, scissors, pins, etc.

1. Cutting

• Main piece: length is the measurement from your waist to your knees, plus 1" for seam allowance. width is just your waist measurement
• Sash: you will need to cut out three strips for your sash. two will be 3" by your waist measurement, while the third will be 1/2 of your waist. add 1" to each length for seam allowance
• Pockets: cut out two 9" squares
• Pocket stays: cut out four 1" strips that are each 6" long

Hopefully that all makes sense! Just let me know in the comments if you are confused. If I had more time I'd make a diagram, but I thing you guys can figure it out. :)

2. Hemming main piece
This step is very simple. Start with one of the main piece's sides. Fold the side under 1/2" so that the raw edge is no longer in view and sew in place. Repeat for the opposite side and finally the bottom edge.

3. Preparing the sash
Here's another easy step. You'll want to sew together your 3" sash strips, using a 1/2" seam allowance. Sew the strips together so that the short strip will be in the middle, with the long strips attached to each end of the short one. In other words, long, short, long. Press your seams open.
OK, next you need to fold one of the long sides under 1/2" and sew in place. Now you're ready to gather the apron!

4. Gathering the main piece
Now, are you ready to learn a new sewing technique? This will come in handy during almost every sewing project. Let's get gathering! I'm showing you the simpler, faster way to gather that doesn't look quite as nice but is perfect for just making an apron.

• Set your sewing machine to a zig-zag stitch. It's best to make the zig-zag as big as possible.
• Cut a long piece of thread that contrasts your fabric. You want to be able to easily see it.
• Lay your thread about 1/4" away from the top edge of your main apron piece and zig-zag. Make sure the thread is inside of the zig-zag, but not caught in the stitching.
  
  
  
  
• Pin the sash to the apron main piece with raw edges matching raw egdes and right sides together. Have each apron side line up with the seams you made while sewing together your sash. At the moment, you only want to pin at these seams and nowhere else.
  
• Pull on your contrasting thread to "bunch up" or ruffle the apron fabric. Keep pulling the thread until the apron piece is the same size as the small part of the sash that you have it pinned to. Make sure that while you're pulling, you don't pull the thread out! Once it's all gathered, spread the gathers out evenly and pin in place.

• Sew down your gathers 1/2" from the edge. Then you can pull out your gathering thread.

5. Finishing the sash

• Now you need to fold up the raw long edge of your sash and sew it down on either side of the apron. Then fold over the two very short ends of your sash and sew them down too.
• Take your sash and fold it completely over the raw gathered edge of your main apron piece. Pin it down so that your line of stitching along the sash's edge lines up with the row of stitching on your main apron piece.
  
  
  
  
• Sew your sash down using stitch in the ditch. Simply make sure the apron front is facing up and sew in the seam that's already there. Since it's already well pinned, you will sew down the back of the sash without causing any unsightly, wavy stitching on the front of your apron.

6. Pockets
Your apron is looking lovely, and guess what? It's almost done! Yay!! All that's left are the pockets. I've designed them to be roomy, even if you have large hands.

• Take one of your squares and gather one end using the method I've already described. Then, sew one of the 1" strips onto your gathered pocket, right sides together.
• fold your strip over to the back of your pocket so that none of the strip is visible. Then sew it down 1/4" from the edge. The strip mostly just works as a "stay" to make sure your gathers don't move around.                        

 (view from inside pocket)

 

 

(view from outside of pocket)

 

Now, just repeat this step for the bottom of your pocket. Then fold the two sides under 1/2" and sew them down too. Repeat all of this for the second pocket.

 

 

Next, try on your apron and put your hand where you'd like your pocket to be. Lightly mark this spot with a pencil. Take off your apron and pin one pocket on. Sew the pocket down on all sides except for the top. Then repeat for the other pocket.

Now you have completed a super cute apron! If you'd like to make one for everyday use, just make sure to "finish" all of your edges. You can either zig-zag all of the raw edges of your apron before folding under your edges, or you can just fold your edges under twice so that no raw edges are showing. Either way, your product will be more professional and won't have those annoying dangly strings. Happy sewing!