Plug And Play PJ/Boxer Shorts

One of January's finishes is a pair of boxer shorts, well actually I've made this pair with a faux fly and the recipient will be using them as Summer PJ Shorts.

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.

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