I have been holding on to about a yard and a half of stretch denim I bought at my now closed neighborhood thrift store for several years.
It wasn’t quite enough for a long pants version of the Itch to Stitch Mountain View Pull-on Jeans, so I decided to use the same pattern for a shorts version. I already sewed this pattern two times previously this year: these green pants and these gray pants.
I bought topstitching thread and jeans rivets for this make. I’ve read about some machines not being able to handle the thickness of topstitching thread so i practiced on a scrap. This thread’s thick!
comparison of all purpose thread and topstitching thread
No problems and looking good!
I also practiced installing a rivet. They are installed by making a hole in the fabric with an awl, and then hammering them in. The difficult part for me was cutting down the posts, as I didn’t have a tool strong enough.
If the post is too long it will crack through the rivet.
one rivet installed, discarded cracked rivet on the right
I had to improvise to find a hard surface for hammering them in. I used the back of a cast iron skillet. Next time I will follow advice to use a block of wood.
I chose to eliminate the back leg seam of the original pattern. The previous time I made the pattern I traced a new pattern piece after sewing the two back pieces together.
I love these shorts! The fit is perfect. The waistband stays put with no slippage yet they are very comfortable when sitting down. I haven’t had a pair of denim shorts that fit for several years, and they go with so many of my summer tops. The shorts have creases in the photos because I couldn’t wait until I photographed them to start wearing them!
front view
back pockets
front pocket bags
In the top photo I’m wearing them with my I love this fabric refashion, but I have a new refashion to show you.
I’ve had this knee length rayon challis dress with a beautiful Hawaiian print in my closet for almost 20 years. I’ve gained weight over the years and it no longer fit, but still I hung on to it.
I laid another refashioned rayon sleeveless top over the bottom of the dress, and thought it would be just wide enough to make a top. I used store bought bias tape for the armholes and neckline. I didn’t take apart the side seams so had to pinch out armhole darts to remove the excess flap of fabric that formed when I tried the top on.
I love it! I like the way the high side slits from the original dress hem show off my rivets ( I put 4 in the front) on the shorts.
What to do with the top of the dress?
I saved the best for last…..
I grabbed the leis for some twinning with my dog Sparky in his matching shirt.
I am so thrilled to add these two pieces to my closet. They will be summer staples for me!
Stitch It Again 