One of the big presents I got for Christmas this year was a sewing machine. I’ve handmade a few clothes and items in the past year – my jester’s shirt most notably, and my cloak – and hand-sewing is incredibly time consuming.
Today I threaded it up for the first time and messed about with my boyfriend’s dad’s old pair of shorts. These were M&S Men long shorts, but in lovely cotton. I had always just tied the waist very tight but now I sliced them up and re-sewed the waist and legs. I did everything by eye (that’s just who I am), and I’m super pleased with the results!
Here are some “before” photos. (Not exactly – another pair of the same measurements I took from Clive on the same day, but they were both this loose.)
And there is the after! I took some off of both sides of the waist, managed to keep three out of four of the pockets (NOT easy) and also managed to fit it perfectly. I like this length: it reminds me of shakespearean puffling pants, especially so well fitted to the waist.
The whole project took me as long as it takes to prove a loaf of bread (about three hours, in this weather), but that includes threading the machine up for the very first time. Speedy or nothing at all, says I!
SEASIDE ILLUSTRATION 