Hi guys! It's
Dawn, of Two On, Two Off, doin' a little guest blogging over at the Jalie blog. You
knew it would happen eventually. I'm just waiting to get my Canadian citizenship so I can move into Jalie headquarters and be even more of a superfan. If they won't let me live there, I will be that creepy woman around the corner that asks for sugar at your door and then peeks around at the inside of your house. I'm sure they will love that . . .
Anyhoo, do you ever need some mind-numbing vegging time? On the computer? With Pinterest? I swear that site has caused several remodeling projects and several garments over the years. My husband has grown leary of my glassy-eyed admiration.
Me: Honey, what do you think about painting our bedroom Whispering Spring?
Honey Bear: Uh-huh.
Me: Ooooh, what about Quiet Moments?
Honey Man: What? Quiet what??
Me: You know, calm blue shades that will help us unwind. Ooooh, how about Beach Glass?
Him: *blink, blink*
Him: Oh crap, are you looking at Pinterest again?
Well this time I was not looking at paint. Instead I was flipping through
the Jalie Inspiration photos. Have you seen those? They have inspiration photos and say, “Use Jalie XXXX and add length to make this summer cardigan.” I stumbled upon the
Inspiration – Swimwear category and saw a few side gathered swim bottoms (go look, you know you want to). I knew if I added an inch or two of length, I would have a pair of cute running/summer shorts. So, voila, here you are.
I wrote a little tutorial and everything. Aren’t you guys lucky?First, you should know what I used for my base pattern. I used
Jalie 3022 which is a yoga pants/shorts pattern. The pattern is available in both paper and PDF.
Okay, how cute are these shorts?? And really, they'd be cute even without the side detail.
![j_3022_1 j_3022_1]()
I love the little tie detail on the side!!
![j_3022_4 j_3022_4]()
![j_3022_2 j_3022_2]()
![j_3022_5 j_3022_5]()
![j_3022_6 j_3022_6]()
And, as promised a little tutorial for you! Toot! Toot!!
![j_3022_3 j_3022_3]()
Trace off your normal size for all the pieces, one front, two back pieces, two waistband pieces, and a waistband facing. Once you are done, add an EXTRA 1/2” seam allowance to the SIDE SEAMS of the front and back pieces. Be sure to transfer your notch marks to the new side seams. Don’t do anything to any other seams.
![j_3022_8 j_3022_8]()
![j_3022_7 j_3022_7]()
Cut out your fabric and sew the front and back together like this. You will be tempted to go ahead and sew your side seams too, DON’T.
![j_3022_9 j_3022_9]()
Sew your inseam. I always serge this and do an extra zigzag there just to provide some secondary clothing malfunction safety. Eep! While you are at it, hem your shorts. Your side seams are still not sewn.
![j_3022_10 j_3022_10]()
![j_3022_11 j_3022_11]()
NOW, you can sew your side seams, but DON’T SERGE THEM! REMEMBER you are sewing this at 3/4” seam allowance!!! Your original seam allowance was 1/4” and you added another 1/2” allowance! You want a straight stitch. Yes, I know these are knit. You can either stretch the fabric while you sew (like I did) or use the lightening stitch. You want those seam allowances to lie flat when you are done!
![j_3022_12 j_3022_12]()
Now, press those seam allowance open and sew them down. This creates a casing for your ties. I go from the inside and make sure my bobbin thread matches the outside. I used gray in the bobbin for my pair.
![j_3022_13 j_3022_13]()
Here’s your hem.
![j_3022_14 j_3022_14]()
This is what it looks like from the right side.
![j_3022_15 j_3022_15]()
Make some knit tubes and thread them through your casings.
![j_3022_16 j_3022_16]()
You want a little extra tube to stick out the top where you will attach it to the waistband.
![j_3022_17 j_3022_17]()
Sew the waistband together and attach it like normal to the top of the shorts. When you sew this at the side seams, this will close the casing and secure the ties in the waistband seam.
![j_3022_18 j_3022_18]()
From the inside. Yes, I use varigated thread in my serger loopers. :)
![j_3022_19 j_3022_19]()
From the outside.
![j_3022_20 j_3022_20]()
BOOM!