Pattern:  Dixie DIY Movies in the Park Shorts - Modified
Fabric:  Blue/Gray Floral Rayon Challis / Charcoal Gray Ponte Knit


Hello friends! Did you know that Karen of Did You Make That was hosting a PAJAMA PARTY? Well I did! And then I completely forgot... until several pajama related posts started popping up on my feed yesterday. Forehead smack!  My subconscious must not have forgot, though, as I have been thinking about these amazing lounge shorts I saw at Anthropologie non-stop for the past few days. Indeed, I already had it all figured out in my head, I just had to crank it out! And this was the perfect motivation :)


After sketching out my Anthro knock-offs, I realized that my sketch looked awfully similar to the Dixie DIY Movies in the Park shorts I had been eyeing.  It featured:

- Curved Side Seams
- Slant Pockets
- No fly/front closure

I purchased, printed, and assembled this pattern in less than an hour - the actual shorts are only 12 pages!



Here is how I modified the pattern to fit my design:

- Cut waistband out of ponte knit - did not interface
- Added two button holes at center on front waistband piece for tie
- Gathered shorts along top edge
- Narrow hem, not binding

I also traced the pattern pieces (that's a first for me) and added 2.5" length to the front and back.

The assembly was very straightforward - I followed the written instructions for steps 1 - 7, then kind of did my own thing from there, adding the knit waistband, tie, and hemming the shorts.


Here are the specs:


Fabric: STASH!  Rayon Challis (leftover from this UFO), Gray Ponte Roma Knit  (leftover from this top)

Yardage: Only 24" of rayon! And around 8" of knit!

Size: I traced an XL for the front and back, adding 2.5" length. I probably ended up with a M for the waistband (kept trimming off extra)

Time to Complete: One evening

Alterations: After almost finishing the shorts, I realized that the crotch was a bit too tight - I cut it lower by about 1.5", but next time I will definitely have to adjust this before cutting into fabric.

Next time:  

- Different fabric for waistband - this seemed a bit too thick, although it feels wonderful
- Add more room for hips, especially at back
- Adjust crotch (needs to be looser) - perhaps use my Thurlow shorts pattern as guide



IN CONCLUSION, I really really love these shorts - they are so lightweight and breezy - perfect for summer when you are trying to save on the AC bill. I can see myself wearing these all day and night! In fact I just ordered fabric to make THREE more pairs :) 

All images and fabrics from fabric.com
If anyone else would be interested in making these, let me know! I would be happy to do a tutorial, or a sewalong or whatever you want to call it! It's a quick, easy, affordable project ;)

And because these are for a pajama party:

That pillow is one of the first sewing projects I ever made! See it here