Sewing The Parasol shorts
Sooooo! Go go go! Let’s say it’s time to wear shorts, and especially the Parasol shorts! It was high time that I shook myself to sew this pattern, bought at the time of its release in October 2018. Moreover, what a treat, you’ll be able to take a good look on my “derriere” because when you take pictures of a shorts eh .. well …
ITEM | SHOP | QUANTITY | PRICE |
Patron Orchid x Parasol (robe, combinaison, short & pantalon) | Ensemble Patterns | 1 | 19 € |
Chambray subtilement multicolore (restes) | Tissus de Rêve | 0,75 m | 0 € |
Popeline baigneuses (restes – Katia Fabrics) | Rascol | 0,2 m | 0 € |
Zip | Fil 2000 | 1 | 0,50 € |
Bouton | Stock | 1 | 0 € |
Thread | Stock | 0 | 0 € |
Total | 19,50 € |
The Orchid x Parasol pattern(s)
The pattern is a collaboration between Ensemble and Chalk & Notch. It was available in this combined form, Orchid x Parasol, only for the release. Now, the 2 patterns have to be bought separately if you want to combine them.
The Parasol pattern is designed for shorts, mid-calf pants, pants and sleeveless jumsuit. Phew, isn’t that nice! Not bad, hum?
If we add the Orchid pattern, we also get a dress, a different wrap bodice, and short and long sleeves. Do we still need other patterns with all this?
(The answer is YES of course, no kidding.)
But hey, there, for this shorts, I only used the Parasol patterns, the shorts version.
The main characteristics of the boss are:
- a high waist without belt but with belt loops
- a fly with a button inside
- no side seams but front and back seams
- large oblique pockets (the first of this trend that we have seen many times since) in which we can put a phone
- fake cuff
- a really comfy fit
Given the pdf’s number of pages, I used Patternsy to print it all. The transaction went well even though I found the process not uber practical. But hey, the delivery was fast and the pattern well printed.
I made a little video at the time if you want to know better how it works out: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17974372756129091/
Incidentally, you will also see a little the patterns sheets.
The explanations & the pattern sheet are very nice, in colors. Célina, the creator of Ensemble, is a graphic designer. The instructions take advantage of her skills with a neat layout.
Sewing the Parasol shorts
For this first version, I used the remaining (precious) subtly multicolored chambray that I used for my Turia overalls (1st name).
This chambray is as nice to sew as to wear and I preciously kept that remnant for a great project that requires little fabric.
Retrospectively, I think that I was really confident to making it without making a toile before … Probably the confidence for Ensemble Patterns I inherited from sewing my 3 (!) Robinson pants.
Whatever. I made it in size 8 to the waist to 10 at the hips. And it’s great. Super comfortable. Becoming.
So yes, there are 2 or 3 whiskers because when you sit or move, pants wrinkle. It’s OK. The wrinkle unwrinkle when I’m standing.
It fits really nicely on my sway back, the hips, the buttocks. Close fitting and comfortable in a non-stretch woven fabric, I say “super”.
Not really complicated, the fly gave me some problems in the beginning due to a drawing that I did not understand well.
The waist facing was more troublesome. The steps’s order doesn’t seem appropriate to me when one takes into account the loosening of the fabric (mostly cut in the bias) at the waist.
Pass the next paragraph if you do not intend to sew the pants / shorts Parasol:
The steps recommend:
- to start by sewing the waist to the facing, stopping at 5 cm on the ends,
- to understitch
- then sew in the burrito way, the facing of the fly between the shorts and the waist facing,
- then sew the fly flap with the waist facing,
- finally to sew the 2 parts left open at step 1.
When I pinned the facing to the shorts’s waist, I found myself with too much facing. Despite the many notches, I did not know how to position the thingy thing.
I thought I cut the wrong size, so I cut a new facing one size up. I thought again. Thought the fabric had had to relax, then I took it another way:
- I sewed the two ends of the waist facing to the fly and flap
- then, I sewed the facing at the waist of the shorts which allows me to better distribute the fabric at the waist which has relaxed,
- and I finished with the understitching.
Once this difficulty was solved, everything went well 😉
I also overstitched almost all seams in a turquoise thread – my favorite color of the moment -.
Last word on the Parasol shorts
Well, as soon I finished it, as soon I started (and finished) a denim pants version. That’s quite telling about how I like it. I waiting for 25 °C+ temperature impatiently to wear it.
I find it incredibly flattering. My sway back is well fitted, my butt is comfortable and the fabric is so nice.