Summer is coming and it means shorts season! Sometime ago I bought BurdaStyle Retro Classics Pattern Collection which have 9 patterns from the 1950s-60s, one of them is pattern for these shorts. I’m not sure what’s so retro about them but I quite like the double pleats on the front.
As usual for Burdastyle patterns, I printed them at 92% at cut size 38. They are quite short though, so I lengthened the hem about 5 cm. The fabic is cotton twill with a bit of stretch on them. Sewing the shorts was quite straightforward. The only thing that I don’t really like is the straight waistband. The shorts sit a bit lower than the waist, straight waistband on a woman’s body will usually leave quite a gap on the center back. To fix this, I took a wedge about 2 cm on the center back.
The white tee was made with SJ tee by Papercut Patterns, currently my favorite tee pattern. This pattern actually has quite a wide neckline, I just made the neckband shorter and pulled them a bit while stitching.
These photos were taken with iPhone 6 and edited in Google photos. It has some basic light editing and filters, not too bad I think!
In other news, have you ever heard about The Super Online Sewing Match (SOSM) on Sew, Mama, Sew? The first one was held about two years ago, and this year is time for the SOSM II! The Grand Prize Winner will receive both the Janome Skyline S5 Sewing Machine and the Janome 1110DX Pro Serger! I wish I could participate, but I’m one of the judges for this year.
If you’d like to become a challenger, you still have until June 21 midnight PST to send your audition!
Shorts pattern is Burdastyle Retro shorts, size 38 printed at 92%.
Tee pattern is SJ tee by Papercut Patterns, (PDF) size XXS.
14 Comments
Why do you print at 92%? I just ordered this pattern and then realized that it doesn’t come in my size (the smallest pattern size is almost 4 inches too big around the hips???) and now I’m super bummed!
I have posted my answer to similar question below
These are super cute!!!
They look perfectly sewn and perfect on you, as always. And I really like the t-shirt too, especially the sleeve cuffs.
This must be a very timeless style of ‘retro’, I’ve seen cute as shorts just like these in shops last summer! They’re really gorgeous – love them in the navy blue. You’re making me feel warm just looking at your photos!
cute! white T and nave shorts – such a summer classic!
Super cute!! I love that bright blue fabric for the shorts!
Very cute! I love both items. Congratulations on being a judge! I wish I could enter but I’m not a US citizen. BTW my husband is Indonesian too – we live in New Zealand. Best of luck :)
These look great! I love the pleated front.
Very nice. They look great. Your explanation of why you reduce your patterns to 92%, very clever. :O)
Great shorts, I really like the style. The SJ looks good too, I haven’t tried it yet, might be time I give it a go!
These shorts are great! Love the colour. I made a very similar pair, also a Burdastyle pattern, from curdoroy. One question – why do you print your patterns at 92%?
Thank you!
I found that this is the best way to make petite alteration to Burdastyle patterns for my body.
My normal size in Burdastyle is size 34 with bust 31.5″. My height is 60″.
Since Burdastyle pattern is drafted for height 66″, I reduce it by 92% which resulted in 60.95″ that is close to my height. To compensate the reduction, I have to choose size 38 that have bust size 34.75″. When it is reduced by 92%, it becomes 31.97″.
I hope my explanation is clear! :)
I really like those shorts Novita! The fabric is also great. Congratulations on being one of the judges. It would be nice to read what that entails