Chlo-thing

Chlo-thing

Seamwork Dorian Shorts

Posted on Author chlothingPosted in Made!

I am now on the hunt for the perfect pair of shorts / trousers!

I find these hardest to fit, as my waist and hips are at least two sizes difference, and I have a flat seat. This means all the elastic-back-flat-front pants look truly awful on me.

Seamwork Dorian has a flat back and front, but elastic in the sides, which seemed like it might be genius.

Here’s my version:

The author standing in her backyard side on to the camera. She is wearing grey shorts and a blue and black striped top. She has her hand on her hip and is wearing sunglasses.

and so you can see the elastic:

Close up of the grey shorts side on. The author is slightly lifting her top to show the elasticated sides.

I really like how they turned out.

The author standing front to the camera. She is wearing grey shorts and a blue and black striped top.. She has her hands in her pockets

However…I had a bugger of a time fitting these. I cut according to my waist and hip (22 and 18) and added length. they were WAY too large. I took inches and inches out at the sides and the back to get this fit.

I don’t know whether that’s the pattern expecting a certain shape or something else, but it was a bit of an effort to get them to here…

Close up of the grey shorts from the front - you can see the elastic sides and the front fly and button.

They also have a real, operational fly, which is lovely, except I can just pull them on and off so why bother with all that extra sewing?

The author standing in her backyard front on to the camera. She is wearing grey shorts, a blue and black striped top and sunglasses.

All the deets:

Pattern: Seamwork Dorian Shorts (Curve)

Size: A grade between 22 and 18. However, I measured at 21 and 17, and clearly should have sized down.

Adjustments: 

  • Added 1.5″ length to the inseam
  • Took enormous amounts out of the side seams, and back seam.

Fabric used: Robert Kaufman grey chambray from a million years ago (no idea where I bought it).

Like it?  Wearing it?  Yes and yes but what a palaver to get here!

Notes for next time:  

  • SIZE DOWN!
  • Work out how to make without the working fly
  • Kind of want to make again because I like how they ended up, but it seems like a hard starting point