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What You Need For Summer: Itch to Stitch Hermosa Shorts

Nothing say "SUMMER" in my opinion, quite like a go-to pair of shorts.
Around here, summers get hot, sticky. When air is thick with humidity, it's hard to move and pants or jeans are just not realistic. You need a good pair of shorts! Itch to Stitch has just released the Hermosa Shorts, and it ticks all my boxes for shorts this summer.  

Pattern Details

Hermosa Shorts is classically designed shorts pattern with a little twist on the traditional details. I made my version from stretch denim, but they are definitely more interesting than your standard "jean shorts". I especially love the high waistband, which makes them flattering and stylish. There's no shortage of options for Hermosa Shorts. Zip or button fly and 3 lengths so you can make shorts you feel good wearing. The lengths for each leg are drafted individually, giving you the right amount of taper in the leg for the length you choose. Check out the announce post HERE to see all the different tester versions.

Design Features

There is amazing opportunity for fun and detailed top stitching on the Hermosa Shorts, if you are so inclined. Additional features include:
- High rise, contoured waistband with off center button closure
- Zipper or button fly
- Front and back patch pockets
-Back shaping darts
-3 inseam lengths; 4 inch, 7 inch or 10 inch

Muslin Work

So. I have a tendency to overthink fitting, especially pants. You'd think I'd have made enough by now to have it down, but I don't. Maybe if I fitted pants more frequently I would remember... or maybe I should go back and read my own blog history, LOL.

In any case, I stared with a size 8 for my waist blended to a 10 at the hip based on my measurements. Here's my muslin 1.0
Unlike my Samara Pants, the crotch curve was not uncomfortable and didn't pull anywhere. However, I do have hungry butt while the front rise of Hermosa Shorts is a bit long for me. (See what I mean about different styles, different fits?)

I messed around with fit for a few days and went through 3 muslins before I landed, and settled with this fit:
 To get here, I made the following changes:
- Shortened the front rise by 1 inch, the back by 1.5, tapering to meet at the hip
- Added 2 inches to the back crotch extension, down the inseam to the hem
- Slight scooping of the front and back crotch curves

Construction Notes

I chose to make the button fly option because I've never done one before. It was much, much easier than I expected. The step-by-step instructions of Hermosa Shorts are clear and easy to follow.
 You'll want to remember that when you wear your shorts, the fronts will naturally pull apart. This means you will want to position your buttons very close to center front to make sure it all stays nice and tight when you wear them.
Speaking of button placement, whether you make the zip or button fly, I highly recommend that you put on your shorts to mark the placement of your waistband "tab" button.
I did not, and ...er... I installed that button a good 3/4 of an inch too far over. 
Of course I did.
It pulls too much. Eventually the fabric around the button post will fray and weaken. Then the button will pull out all together. Now I have a 2-button design feature on my Hermosa Shorts.
Learn from me: Crystal Makes Mistakes So You Don't Have To.

Final Photos

Despite the extra buttons, I love my new Hermosa Shorts!
 
 


 Be sure to join us in the Itch to Stitch Facebook Group to share your makes, get help and find inspiration for all things Itch to Stitch!


You can get a copy of Hermosa Shorts for yourself for 20% off through June 24th HERE.

Comments

  1. I also recently put a jeans button rivet in the wrong place! Only mine was too far under the overlap, so I was able to chop it off and add a smaller rivet to patch the hole. So now I have a SECRET rivet. This is definitely more design-feature-y. ^^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah, but we were so careful, right? Oh well, they are still nice!

      Delete

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