Summer Boys Shorts Pattern Review, Part 1

As some of you may know, I’ve been having a shorts extravaganza in my new little sewing room. In fact, I made my son 5 pairs of shorts for this summer and the patterns I used were so fun & easy, I wanted to share them with you!

First up is Simplicity 2907. I fell in love with those kids on the front of the pattern a few years back. In fact I think I bought the pattern for the dress. I don’t know if it was the colors or the adorable curls they both had on their sweet little heads, but this is one I’ve had in my pattern collection for a while. (Please tell me I’m not the only one who buys patterns for the styling on the front!) At any rate, when I was looking to make shorts for my T-man, I really liked the stitching detail on the one pant leg and I could see them made up in many different fabrics. The first pair I made was with black cotton.

After a trip to the fabric store, the camouflaged pair was in high demand.

And then, because I’m so impressionable, I had to make them in khaki with the stitching detail (pic shown before washing, hence the marking lines still showing).

Believe it or not, these shorts go together QUICKLY! First time through was two hours from cutting to finish. I like shorts that have elastic all the way through

(instead of in the back only) because they seem to fit my son best. The only downside to this pattern is that they are for Toddlers. My son is hardly a toddler so the 2nd time through I used smaller seam allowances. Even though the first pair fit, I wanted to make sure he had room to grow throughout the whole summer. So this means that unless I can hone in on some pattern grading skills between now and next summer, I’ve exhausted the use of this pattern…and right.in.time! 

So to follow the standard Pattern Review format, here are some questions and answers:

1. Pattern Description: Toddler Separates, Toddler Pants, Shorts, Dress, Shirt or Vest.
   
2. Pattern Sizing: 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4
3. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, exactly!
4. Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. I tend to browse the instructions and go with the techniques I’m comfortable with, but I followed these (mostly) to a tee and they were very clear.
5. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? You mean, besides the picture on the front? 😉 Well, they were slimmer in fit than most kids patterns. For some reason, kids patterns seem to be made wide and short. These were slim and long, possibly due to the fact that they were toddler shorts made for my 5 year old son. I dislike that they don’t go bigger than size 4.
6. Fabric Used: 100% cotton (black pair), khaki and camo “bottom weights” (purchased at a warehouse-like fabric store where I simply asked, “Where are your bottom weights?” – probably a cotton or mostly cotton blend)
7. Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: none.
8. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes – it was a great pattern, quick and easy. If you’re relatively new to sewing with a few projects under your belt, the pockets will be a nice challenge.

So that’s it for that pattern. Stay tuned for part 2 of my shorts pattern review in the next day or so!