Wool Jersey Gym Shorts - Free Pattern

These are a great pair of shorts. I'm so happy with the results that I plan on making more. Thanks to the kind and gentle folks at Purl Bee! I made these out of an old wool jersey skirt that I ended up wearing only once. The fabric is actually preshrunk, so I should be able to wash these in cold water, and line dry it.

The wool skirt was one of those early sewing projects where I bit off more than I could chew. The trim was made from the leftover fabric from my love-hate chambray wool and cotton skirt (a handsewn piece from 2012). I guess you could call this an upcycle project.

Side view of the shorts.

Selfie of my shorts.

There are only two pieces to the pattern, and it comes in four sizes. The waistband was measured out according to the instructions. Since I used a wool jersey, it stretched more than the recommended waistband size. I suggest measuring for more if you decide to use a similar fabric. This project was so easy, I only needed to read the instructions once. This could easily be a two-hour project if you have ready-made bias tape. The only thing that could make these better would be pockets.

I don't think I ever wrote about this jersey wool skirt I made three years ago. But here it is right before I unripped it for the gym shorts. It was originally a Donna Karan skirt, I turned into a asymmetrical Japanese-esque wrap skirt. My mistake at the time was thinking I could tackle a Donna Karan Vogue pattern so early into my re-entry into sewing. I know now after countless DK patterns, that I needed more sewing notches under my belt first.

I might have enough for a matching wool jersey tank. Did you know that wool jersey is great for layering? It's lighter and less bulky than fleece or regular sweatshirt knits. But just as soft and cuddly.

You can get the free City Gym Shorts pattern HERE.  Purl Bee has two versions, one made from cotton, and a second pair made from wool. Either way, they use the same pattern. They have a kit you can buy too. But I have plenty in my stash and closet for these shorts. The shorts don't require a lot of fabric, so an upcycle is pretty darn perfect for it too. Happy sewing!!!

My $200 Sweatshirt

You're probably wondering why this simple velour top costs $200. You see...when I finished sewing the main pieces, I decided I wanted some bias binding for the neck, and I was too impatient to make my own using the same fabric, especially since it curled like no one's business. This meant I would need to use fusible interfacing to control the curl before I could measure and create the binding. It was entirely too much work for a little neckline. Soooo....long story short, I set out to order some binding online. In case you're wondering, I have not been able to find a source for velour or velvet binding in the US.

After a couple of Google searches, McCulloch and Wallis, a fabric store from the UK popped up. They were having a blowout sale on trim because they're moving shop, and I went a little nuts when I realized the sale binding was about 25 cents a meter. Six Kilos later, I forgot how much shipping could run after the exchange rate. I think the shipping was actually more than the cost of the binding. Shush...don't tell my husband. I could have NOT ordered it, but they didn't quote my shipping cost at checkout. So I was clueless. (Yoda voice), emailed they did...two days later. Shocked by the cost was I.

The irony of course is that the binding was not even a close match. But it's passable I guess.

I know...after looking at all this money spent, I could have gone out and bought all kinds of fabric to make this binding. Well...yes and no. Yes...yes...yes...I could have. But in reality, no...no...no...I probably wouldn't have unless I was under some major sewing pressure. It's not my favorite project. I rather cut corners here than in the actual sewing. So what did I get for all that money (mostly the cost of shipping)? Here's my smorgasbord of trim...satins, linens, cottons, velvets, velour, polyester, organza, and other stuff mixed in for good measure... There are several hundred meters of delectable trim here.

A mixture of bias binding, zippers, and lacy elastics (for future knickers project).

Pretty binding from China...not silk, but it's okay. 

Close-up of my grab-bag binding. 

Oh...I almost forgot. I used a McCall's Pattern for the sweatshirt, which was really a t-shirt with narrow sleeves, and fairly fitted. Of course I butchered the pattern, because I wanted shorter true raglan sleeves, and a looser fit. See the pattern...

Even though my rendition looks nothing like it...I made the model's version E, sans the cuff and neck trim. 

Onto other stuff...

You know that bit that Ellen Degeneres does on her show about Epic or Fail home videos? Today I'm showing two sewing room gadgets...

EPIC

Handi-BOB

My bobbins always run amuck...no matter how much time I spend winding up the threads back and popping them into the bobbin box, nothing helps. This little bobbin gadget solves two problems...matching my thread and keeping these little guys intact. I bought them from Sewing Machine Plus Online when I picked up some extra feet for my new Juki F600. They are very reasonably priced. You can also get a pack of 18 for $7.95 from Amazon on Prime (free shipping if you're a Prime member). See them HERE.

FAIL 

Sidewinder

This is the Sidewinder...another bobbin-related gadget. The spring broke off after one use. I repaired it, and then it snapped off at record speed across the room. It's hard to believe the whole machine's usability is based on a wire the size of a paper clip. This piece of plastic costs $30 at Joann's. I got it cheaper with a coupon, and lost the receipt so I couldn't return it. I could have gotten four spools of thread for what I wasted on this. Someone recommend me one that works...please! Don't write me and say..."I have a SideWinder and it works great." That will just make me hate this one more. Maybe it was produced on a Friday or a Monday...whatever day, it was junk.

Happy sewing!