How to make unique/vintage shorts.

First of all you need a pair off shorts what ever kind of style you want but it looks good with denim,I choose some old high waisted shorts. Then you need to pin the shorts of how high you would like to cut them, I also then ironed along the bottom to create a clear crease to cut along!

 Next I sketched a quick design of how I sort of wanted them to look (this is a very bad sketch but its just to give a quick idea!!). My design is a bit of a twist on the american flag!



Thirdly I cut just under the creased line , then using  the sewing machine we sewed a line a bit above the crease all the way around the leg so that when we frayed the bottom it doesn't fray all the way up the leg! (if you don't have a sewing machine you can hand sew all these steps).

Fourthly I cut a square shape out of material that would fit in the pocket then after pushing it in  I sewed a lose running stitch to hold the material in place ready for sewing it with the sewing machine! (if you are sewing by hand you do not need to do the lose running stitch!) Then we sewed it on the sewing machine.

Then I cut out another piece of material that would fit in the main section of the leg, we then again sewed a lose running stitch and sewed it on the sewing machine.



After the step above its fraying time!! To do this you make small slits as close or a far apart a you would like at the edge of the shorts below the crease and stitched line. then using your finger just pull where the slits are to make the strings become loss they should become frayed after a while. If you want to shorten the frayed strings  you can just trim them with some scissors.

 Finally I put them in the wash on a quick wash and they came out like this! They will be fine being washed agian and agian! if you would like the back pocket detail to please scroll down!

First the back pocket look first you need to cut a line along the side you would like to be open as you can see I have cut along the left hand side. Next I chose a piece of material and cut a square then tucked it into the pocket! I then sewed along the sides of the square on show and sewed back the flap. 

Thats all the steps thanks for reading and enjoy making them!!!!! If you would like the fabrics they are from tatters in staines. 

Lily xxx

Baby it's cold outside!

My lovely log fire

Brrrr.... its cold, wet and windy.  I love this weather when I am tucked up next to the fire, but am not so keen when I need to go outside (which is proving tricky when you need to try and toilet train a puppy!).  I feel our home education for December is going to be focused around two main activities: Christmas Crafts in the morning and XMAS 24 (the Christmas Movie channel) by the fire in the afternoon.  These combined with our mince pie tasting challenge sounds like a good all round curriculum.

Last week I hosted a Sewing Workshop; we made Christmas Hearts with all the children having the chance to use the sewing machine.  I also took time to help a home-ed mum clean up and oil her old machine, followed by a quick tutorial on using it.  Since the workshop, Lily has got the sewing bug and has made some beautiful hearts to hang on our tree;  we also picked up some lovely fabric and will be making some Christmas Bunting (details to be posted later).  The local library had some lovely books on different craft ideas and we found one aimed for quite young children but with beautiful (simple) ideas to make . Over the next few weeks we are going to make some of the projects and I have also downloaded a calendar of ideas from the brilliant Nature Detectives website; we will keep you posted on our different projects.

Busy at the workshop

It's in the detail

Finished hearts

Last year we did some lovely Christmas activities including a Victorian Servants Christmas Workshop,  a day trip to London to see the lights and a visit to Richmond Theatre to see Cinderella in panto.  This year will be a lot more low key; not working for 6 months has meant a lot less money and the puppy also prevents full days out.  We don't mind having less money (mostly) as it means we are becoming more resourceful and creative, and personally I think there is something really lovely about home made gifts and decorations.  We feel more appreciative of what we do have, and afternoons snuggled together with hot chocolates, a board game and home-made laughter are just as enjoyable.

We started of the countdown to Christmas with a festive Carrot cake made by Lily......

angela x