Shorts on My Boys!

In case you haven’t heard, Shorts on the Line started this week, and I have been working on this idea that was rolling around in my head. Boardshort-style shorts are really popular this season for little guys–the ones that aren’t swimwear, but more like regular shorts with a drawstring. I’ve seen quite a few of them popping up here and there. I ran across these Mini Boden ones on Pinterest and fell in love!

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Aren’t they so cute? (I actually just ordered this Railroad Denim from Fabric.com, and I hope to make a really close copy when it arrives!) It’s really not too difficult to add a drawstring to an elastic waist. You just stitch button holes or add grommets to the front of the elastic channel, but I had this idea for adding a little extra detail to the shorts and making a drawstring channel without buttonholes. It took a little work to figure out the best way to do it, but I’m really pleased with the result. What do you think?An important note here before we move on: Please be careful to keep your drawstrings safe! On items sold for children here in the US, the law allows for a waist drawstring to extend only 3″ past the opening when the garment is expanded to it’s maximum width: CPSC on Drawstrings in Children’s Clothing. Also, always be sure to secure the drawstring by stitching across it at the back or side seams so that it cannot be pulled out.I used my Mud Puddle Splashers pattern as the base for these. It’s a good straightforward elastic waist pants pattern with a nice modern feel. Jamie’s shorts are made with some of that Robert Kaufman seersucker that I adore. (What am I going to do if they ever stop producing it?!) Charlie’s shorts are made from a super-cute Kokka linen print.I took the boys out yesterday to do a little photo shoot at a local fountain. (I promised them smoothies if they were cooperative. Shhhh!) Something was up with my camera, though, and we only ended up with a few good pictures of the cute back pockets. (I suspect I accidentally changed a setting somewhere, and I cannot figure out what it is. Many of the photos are coming out grainy, and I’m having a hard time getting faces to focus. Even the today’s pictures are pretty icky. Suggestions are welcome!)So, how about a tutorial for adding a drawstring without buttonholes? Anyone interested? If all goes well, I should have it ready for you tomorrow!Until then, get some shorts cut out and start sewing! You can enter your shorts to win prizes, including Fishsticks patterns! All the details are right here: Shorts on the Line.I’m also adding this project to the Hopeful Threads June project: Summer Sewing for Family! The boys are wearing all mama-made clothing–Jamie’s top is an Everyday Camp Shirt that I made last year, and Charlie’s yellow tee is a Charlie Tee that I whipped up yesterday morning to go with his robot shorts.  (Pattern links are all in the right side bar.)