teaching sewing confidence, tip by tip

Friday, 30 January 2015

Sheldon Wouldn't Wear These


One of this week's makes is a pair of boxer shorts, a store sample for my LQS, The City Quilter.  


Here's the pattern I used - The Essential Boxer Shorts by Fishsticks (pdf pattern no longer available).

The pattern covers four sizes small to x-large (men's waist sizes 28" to 42" and uses 1.5 yards fabric for all sizes and 1" braided elastic.


For the store sample, I opted for the traditional fly option but the pattern also gives instructions for faux fly and no-fly versions.  


The fabric is by Illustration Ink and from the Science Fair collection for Robert Kaufman.


In review: 
The Pattern - it's a great pattern - only 2 pieces, clear instructions and fit is correct to the sizes given.  My husband did comment that he'd want a button on that traditional fly as it opens too easily - fyi the pattern doesn't include instructions for adding a button and buttonhole.  Note: the pattern is folded like a book yet the instructions don't follow if you read them in this way.  Instead take the pages apart and read a whole printed sheet at a time in the page number order given on each sheet.  This will make sense if you use the pattern and hopefully you'll be saved the 5 mins of confusion I had before the lightbulb pinged on!

My Opinion - I didn't enjoy the process of making these shorts, a bit long winded for the end result - all that sewing round and round the elastic and getting your fabric seam to lie flat in the rise as you stitch it down for a gentleman's comfort.  Let's face it in normal use this garment wouldn't even be visible to receive the public admiration my hard work deserves!!! Not in anyway the fault of the pattern just not how I want to spend an evening so I won't be rushing to make them again apart from finishing a couple of pairs I've already bought fabric for and made promises to recipients!

Update - I finally made both promised pairs - it only took me another two years!  Click images to read more!


As soon as my husband saw the fabric though he said "Sheldon wouldn't wear those" referring to The Big Bang Theory character, Sheldon Cooper.  Apparently, the periodic table on the fabric isn't in the right order - well personally I wouldn't have a clue!!!


Have you ever made boxer shorts and do you enjoy making them?  
Share any tips you have too in the comments.



Clicking on an image will take you to through to the new page of crafty goodness :)



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39 comments:

  1. Pam @Threading My Way30 January 2015 at 14:45

    I'd have to dig out an old chemistry book to know whether the periodic table was correct or not. Love your husband's comment, though. Later this year I'm aiming to make a couple of pairs of men's boxer shorts, so thanks for the link.

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:18

      Well Pam my husband would certainly know, he's my very own Sheldon, thank goodness those boxers weren't for him! - Chris :D

      Delete
  2. Celtic Thistle31 January 2015 at 11:57

    I have never made boxer shorts Chrissie, but having seen these I could be tempted to give them a go! Love the fabric, even if Sheldon would never wear them :)

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:19

      It's a great looking fabric isn't it Fiona no matter what order all those letters and numbers are in?!!! ;D

      Delete
  3. Michele1 February 2015 at 06:51

    Well it still turned out nicely and no I haven't made nor am I likely to make anything like this.

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  4. Lucy Blossom1 February 2015 at 14:08

    I love them, especially the fabric you've used - perfect for any science-y men!

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  5. Suze Bain1 February 2015 at 14:09

    Well no, I've never made boxer shorts or any other clothing apart from the odd fancy dress outfit. I love the fabric, haven't seen it before, and I wouldn't have a clue what order they were supposed to be in! Lol x

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:21

      You sound just like me, I just thought it was a great looking fabric how wrong I was!!! :D

      Delete
  6. Unknown1 February 2015 at 14:24

    Periodic table pants rock! X

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  7. vicky myers1 February 2015 at 16:24

    They look great, love the fact the Pi table is not right:)!

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  8. Auntie Shan1 February 2015 at 18:04

    So, if some Not-So-Clever-Fellow were to wear These to a CHEMISTRY-EXAM, would that be "cheating"..?
    ;-D

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:22

      Some young chap out there might like to give it a try?!!! ;D

      Delete
  9. Sum of their Stories1 February 2015 at 18:15

    My youngest was just telling me the other day that the periodic table is in some special order, something to do with the numbers but sadly I can't remember what! I'm thinking these boxers look great, I've never even thought about trying to make them, but I think I'd have to use a different fabric if I made them for my son, otherwise he would tell me every time he wore them exactly what was wrong with them!

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:23

      I'm so glad they were a sample and not for my husband Julia, I'd never have heard the last of it from him either! :D

      Delete
  10. Carolee Crafts2 February 2015 at 00:58

    Not a clue about the table but I do think they look good though

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  11. Auntie Shan2 February 2015 at 04:20

    I think it was Atomic-"Weight"..? -- How many Electrons and Protons and Neutrons and/or *WINNING* Lottery Numbers!?
    ;-D

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  12. Ginx Craft2 February 2015 at 13:53

    I love the fabric. My son is a bit of a science geek, so I will have to see if he would notice about the order.

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  13. Mari3 February 2015 at 10:16

    My friend and I used to teach a beginning sewing class for middle schoolers and our project was always boxer shorts just like these. Theirs always turned out great, so there's just no way to mess them up. As for the elements, there's actually a song that a lot of kids know. Google "the elements song" and soon you'll be singing it too! Love your novelty fabrics!

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:30

      Oh my goodness, I found the song and then remembered seeing Daniel Radcliffe singing it on The Graham Norton Show - so found the clip of that too, here it is if anyone reading this would like to watch it!!!

      Delete
  14. Jan3 February 2015 at 14:25

    I love the fabric, it looks colourful and geeky. I think these would be good without the fly and used for summer pj's with a vest top.
    Jan x

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  15. Lyndsey3 February 2015 at 18:04

    I love the geeky fabric even if it isn't in the correct order.

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  16. Sherry Clitheroe (writing as Abigail Leigh Reed)6 February 2015 at 01:44

    I had to laugh when I read your post title. We are huge Big Bang Theory fans, and absolutely love, Sheldon. I think I would probably have similar feelings with this project... perhaps hubby should give you a private parade! ;) Valentine's Day is coming up soon... Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty and congrats on having a featured post at this week's party! :)

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:35

      My husband, who is my very own Sheldon, loves The Big Bang Theory - I don't because it feels too much like I'm watching my own life. I'm just glad those shorts weren't meant for him as I'd never have heard the last of it!!! :D

      Delete
  17. Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge6 February 2015 at 07:52

    Good thing you didn't make them for Sheldon! No question that making clothing, especially underclothing, is a labour intensive process. Thanks for linking up with TGIFF!

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:38

      Isn't it?!!! I used to make clothes 25-40 years ago but gave up long since as the costs of homemade clothing far outweigh the cost of buying ready made. It's strange but fun to resurrect long forgotten skills :D

      Delete
  18. Lorna McMahon6 February 2015 at 07:55

    The fabric is to good to be hidden in a pair of pants! I wouldn't know if the table was in the wrong order either, but I do like that print. Thanks for sharing how you felt about the making of these shorts. They do look fabulous, by the way. I'm going to stick with purchasing shorts for the boys in my family and keep to sewing quilts.

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:39

      Enjoying resurrecting old skills Lorna but not sure it's my sewing future!!! :D

      Delete
  19. Lucy 6 February 2015 at 16:21

    hehe :) they look wonderful... great choice of fabric xxxx www.crazyforpurple.com

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  20. Marianne6 February 2015 at 18:36

    What?? The periodic table isn't in the right order! Now that bugs me. I've never made boxers or PJs. It seems like too much work for something most people won't see.

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  21. Carie @ Space for the Butterflies7 February 2015 at 08:37

    Oh I was thinking how much I needed some of that fabric but if the periodic table is all wrong it would bug me too much - it's a shame because they look fantastic!

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  22. Anonymous7 February 2015 at 17:39

    They look great. I think they're cool. If you want to make them to be seen, you could gift them to someone who likes to wear their outer pants halfway down their butt.

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:43

      Lol, my two sons 10-15 years ago would have been perfect models for them, fortunately somewhere around 16 they both suddenly learnt how to pull their jeans up properly, quite miraculous really!!! ;D

      Delete
  23. Jennie @ Porch Swing Quilts8 February 2015 at 21:03

    I've never made them. The husband doesn't wear them, but these are just awesome! I've got this fabric, but I bought it with my daughter in mind.

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:46

      Oh, what are you planning to make for her with it - it's really a great fabric if you don't care about the order?!!! :D

      Delete
  24. seemesew8410 February 2015 at 05:34

    Love the honest review!

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD10 February 2015 at 22:44

      Thanks Shantel, it wouldn't be right to do one any other way don't you think?! :D

      Delete
  25. Rebecca15 February 2015 at 13:23

    So Sheldon would not wear these...would your hubby?

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Chris Dodsley


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