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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Blousy Florals & Essex Linen

Another gift set made for Christmas 2013 that I haven't shared before.

This Essex Linen bag is a free online pattern is the Reversible Bag by Novita @VeryPurplePerson...

...made fully reversible with this gorgeous English Rose fabric - don't you just love blousy florals?

A coordinating cosmetic bag...

...and tissue cover.

Fabrics used:

Robert Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed - Black

English Rose by Philip Jacobs for Westminster Fabrics

Timeless Treasures Sketch Basic - Fun: Candy

Dear Stella Confetti Dots - Purple 

A 2013 Christmas gift for my son's partner Katie.

Disclaimer: 
This post is for informational purposes only, no payment or commission is received on click-throughs and opinions are my own.

 

Essex Linen & Modern Monet Travel Bag Collection

If you're a blogger do you have projects that you make and forget to share?  I've recently discovered quite a few from last year so it's time to air them publicly - here goes!!!

Today I'm sharing a bag collection I made for my Mum and posted over to her last Christmas.  She enjoyed a very handmade Christmas as I also sent her this full collection of goodies for her kitchen - and given that I remembered to blog about these earlier in the year you can read more about them here.

Anyway, back to the bag collection - of course it had to be purple, Mum loves purple, do you remember the purple flower cowl I knitted for her for Mother's Day?

I started with a cosmetic bag...

 

 

...and matching tissue cover.

Then I added a lingerie bag - totally necessary for all her trips and holidays and Mum goes on a lot of trips and holidays!!!

And finally a matching tote

Fabrics:

Robert Kaufman Essex Linen - Yarn Dyed Black

Robert Kaufman Kona Solid - Eggplant

Modern Monet by Maywood Studio Fabrics

Cosmetic bag lining - Bold & Beautiful Basics by Maywood Studio Fabrics

Thread: Gütermann SULKY Col 4109

and the whole collection together

Mum joined us recently in Seville, as eager as we were to meet Oliver - the latest addition to our family.  I was delighted when I spotted the travel bags in her hotel room, isn't it a fab feeling when you see something you've made being used and appreciated?

Have you ever spotted someone using something you've made?


Disclaimer: 
This post is for informational purposes only, no payment or commission is received on click-throughs and opinions are my own.

 

 

   

   

Hand Tied Flannel Snuggly

I made this hand tied flannel snuggly for Grandson Oliver to use in his pram or car seat and later maybe it can be a small comfort blankie.

Obviously, I'm in America and Oliver's in Spain but I wanted to give him something that's a little piece of our heritage, England.

Details:

Finished size 20 "x 20"

Red Flannel - Darcel Phillips for Robert Kaufman Nordica 12095

Sherpa Fleece

Binding - leftover piece of Peppered Cotton from my Even The Dog's Got Two quilt

Berisfords Ribbons - The Best Of British Art 13605 Soldiers and The Best Of British Art 13603

East of India Union Flag Ribbon (it's actually sold under my pet hate name 'Union Jack' >:( ) 

Red satin ribbon - in stash for more years than I can remember

20 x DMC Pearl Cotton 5 hand ties.

A few sneaky pics of the snuggly in use - and a little peep at Oliver!!!

Mum, Ana, with Auntie Katie holding Oliver.

The snuggly's the perfect match for Oliver's pram.

Oliver making good use of his snuggly already.

So the snuggly's a big hit, I think my middle son, Uncle Joe, would like one of his own - at 6' 3" absolute proof that you're never too grown up for a snuggly!!!

If you'd like to make your own hand-tied snuggly click through to my tute below:

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Linky Parties This post may be linked to some great Linky Parties, always a great source of inspiration too.  If you click through to my 'Fave Linky Parties'  page you can see where I like to share my work.