Overview:

I promise all of my post won’t be me on skates going forward! LOL Though I don’t promise that there won’t be quite a few more skating outfits to come. If you’d like to follow more of my skating journey (for however long it lasts) check out my Skate and Sew IG page.

I made my top using my Cricut Maker and infusible ink! I know I owe y’all a tutorial and it’s coming, I promise. I’m just always making things and the last minute and don’t have time to record. I’m also thinking I should do a whole series going from an intro to vinyls to infusible inks. What do you think?

• Skill Level*: 1/Novice
• Sewing Time: a couple of hours
• Pattern Rating*: 5

Pattern:

I’ve had these City Gym Shorts by Purl Soho pinned in my Free PDF board for a while now, but it took wanting some cute retro shorts to skate in for me to finally make them. These shorts are a FREE pattern so that’s already a win. They are designed for woven fabric and offer five sized that fit from a 33″-46″ hip. There’s also a kids version that fits a 19″-25″ waist so you can easily have a twinning moment with your little one.

There aren’t printed instructions, but the blog post serves as a photographic sewalong. Honestly the construction is simple enough that if you’re an intermediate sewist you wont even need that. I sewed the largest side and the sizing is pretty spot on as I’m a 45″ hip and these fit snugly.

Fabric:

Originally I wanted to make these in a bright color with white trim, but I don’t have many solid fabrics on hand. However this Angola print ankara cotton makes a bold statement which is what I wanted.

I used store bought bias tape because I’m lazy, but if you made a solid short a print bias tape from some fabric scraps would be really cute! I used just a tad more than 3 yards. If you start the bias tape about an inch away from the waistline you can make a 3yds (the length of package bias tape) work. Don’t worry the waistband will cover more than an inch at the waist.

One day I will make these out of a bright, stable knit(a light ponte or interlock) or even a stretch woven with white bias. I’d also love to play with some other fun trims, maybe pom-poms or fringe!

Modifications:

I didn’t need to make any!

Summary:

Cute shorts, perfect to skate in!

Pattern:  Purl Soho City Gym Shorts

Pattern Description: Designed with a classic tulip hem and an easy elastic waist, these shorts have all the comfort and ease of traditional exercise gear but with way more style!

Sizing: womens 33-34,35-37, 38-40, 41-43, 44-46 inches | kids 2,3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10, 11 yrs (19-25″ waist)

Difficulty: 1/novice

Fabric Used:  Angola print ankara 100% cotton

Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? The sewalong was clear

Did I make in alterations? Nope

Would I sew it again? Already have

Would I recommend it to others?  Definitely