Wearing History 1940s Shorts

My first pair of real jeans! I'm so pleased with how these turned out, and they were most enjoyable to sew. My friend Katy (who I sewed the sequin pants for) snapped these photos while we were in Arizona last weekend for our dear friend's bachelorette party. The scenery was just breathtaking.

I used the Wearing History 1940s Overalls pattern for these, and made a few adjustments from my overalls: 

• I followed the cutting line for the playsuit length to make them short. 
• I shortened the pockets 1" so my whole leg wouldn't be pocket.
• I went down a size. I like my overalls loose, but not my shorts. 
• I used the crotch shape and depth from my Freddies of Pinewood jeans, because I like the fit of those. I've got a bit of excess fabric there at the front, though, which I didn't notice on my jeans (most likely because I never pay as close attention on things I didn't make myself). That just goes to show I'm still trying to work out on the right crotch curve to fit me properly. 

The construction details are by far the best part of these shorts, although I am quite gladdened to have finally filled this hole in my wardrobe. Collecting supplies proved to be easier than expected because everything had "jean" in the name - needle, zipper, top stitching thread, buttons. The denim fabric, and all the fixings, I got at Joann's Fabric, one of the few times the chain didn't let me down.

I had read a trick long ago that you would get better tension on top stitching jeans if you put regular thread in the bobbin, and that worked out swell. I used my edge stitch foot and went very slowly and carefully. I didn't use a twin needle only because I like to try to minimize the number of new things I try on a project. The only really tricky spot I had while topstitching was at the curve at the bottom of the pocket. After 2 failed attempts, I realized it would be easiest to take a fabric pencil and mark out a line for me to follow. That did it!

I chose to do navy thread on the lapped zip rather than topstitching because I didn't want to interrupt the beautiful pocket. And of course, my damned buttonhole went array at the 11th hour. I tested it out several times before starting in on the real deal, but the moment it started going on the actual shorts, it hiccuped and fought me the whole way. 

The button is from Dritz and is a "no sew" jean button that you nail in with a hammer. It's not nearly as easy as the package looks! I stood in my garage for 20 minutes, sweating bullets, trying to get this thing in. I bent one, cursed, wiped my brow, and then managed it. 

The insides are are serged with a grey thread, which blends in very nicely. I also used a 3 stitch (is that what you call that stitch?) on all my seams to make sure they were extra sturdy. It wouldn't do to have a lovely pair of retro shorts and have them pop at the seams after a large meal. 

A smashing success, if I do say so myself! Plus, I can easily get 2 more months wear out of them before the year-end since I live in Texas!