Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
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Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

High Maintenance.

4/1/2014

31 Comments

 
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When I was growing up, my mom bought all of my dad's clothes. I can't remember an occasion when he came to the store to pick-out his own attire. The man has never, in my lifetime expressed any opinions regarding his wardrobe or personal style. In fact, an inquiry last Christmas would suggest he's not familiar with his current clothing sizes. He very happily wears whatever we outfit we choose for him. It's great. Easy. Low maintenance.
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When I married Mike, I knew that he had a little more to say with regard to his clothing. We mostly agree that he knows how to dress himself and choose clothes that suit him. He's receptive to suggestions, usually, unless he's able to customize his garment, as was the case with these shorts.

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Suddenly, he's an expert. He knows exactly how the shorts ought to be constructed. He's got preferences with regard to the width of leg openings. He wants the shorts to respond specifically and accordingly with certain body movements. He's working to convince me he knows more about ease than I do. He's bargaining hem lengths and arguing about... everything.  
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Neither he nor I expected these shorts to meet his standards. But, somehow, I managed to surprise us both. I do believe his smile in these photos is genuine. He has been wearing his new shorts all evening, and I'm chuffed. 
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One of the biggest battles we had was over the length. He's tall, I get it, really, I do. Still, there is almost an extra inch of length folded into the hem, because Mike was certain I didn't understand how long his shorts needed to be in order to keep him from exposing too much thigh when he sits. Fortunately, he agrees that they are acceptable as are.
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As we discussed his measurements vs. clothing size, I learned that Mike purposely buys his pants with a waist a size larger than he needs in order to make sure that he has enough room elsewhere. I accommodated his specification, but I think we could do better the next time. Ironically, Mike and I have the same fit issue when it comes to waist/hip discrepancy.  We've both got a lot more booty than average. I think Mike could have a better fit with the addition of either a deeper dart or a second set of darts at the rear. Now that he understands I'm not trying to make him wear shorts that are too small, I think he might be alright with the tweak. In the meantime, those belt loops are a big help. 
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I struggled with my welt pocket. It's there. It's functional, but it's a little tortured. Thanks to some tutorials, I think I'm ready to tackle another. I'm pretty sure I was cutting too near the edge of the welt and not leaving enough triangle to fold over the edge. If you have insight, I'm happy to have help. 
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My front pockets compensate for the precision I lack on my welt. I'm incredibly pleased with how nicely they align from the front, over the pocket facing, and through the side seam. And, I'm thrilled with how beautifully all my horizontal lines match across seams and through the center line of the fly. 
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Does this fabric seem familiar? You might recall that I used this same fabric last year in my plaid dress and my Fall for Cotton Blouse. I cut these shorts around the same time I finished those garments and they made their way to the new house in the box of UFO projects I've been slowly. chipping. away at completing. Yes. There are sewing projects in there too. Mike helped motivate me to get this pair sewn by bribing me with more fabric. More shorts fabric, that is. Yes, there will be more shorts. Mike's a tough customer, but he's also a pretty cute and a very grateful one. How could I say no to a man who buys fabric (and yarn)?  
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31 Comments
Ginger link
3/31/2014 01:42:47 pm

These look great! The fit looks awesome and your plaid matching skills are impressive! I'm a bit afraid to sew for my mister as he's suuuuper picking about clothing and I just know we'd end up arguing the whole time!

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 01:34:22 am

Thanks! I think getting through this first pair of shorts was a huge hurdle to pass. It's good couple's therapy! LOL. Truthfully, Mike is incredibly gracious and grateful. I'm kinda looking forward to sewing for him again now that we've got these out of the way.

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Emma link
3/31/2014 04:45:38 pm

It looks like all of that fussing was worth it. They look great!

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 01:34:51 am

THANKS!

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Angela link
3/31/2014 08:33:02 pm

Even without your 'demanding' ;-) client, these shorts were a lot of work to match the plaid so perfectly. I'm glad he likes them, they look so well. Welt pockets are difficult, especially the first few! Keep your stitching on the welt, and leave those triangles as long as possible. Top stitching the pocket also helps

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 01:36:29 am

Thanks for the tips and the links to welt tutorials on Twitter!!! I'm absolutely feeling better equipped to tackle another welt now that I've done my homework. I should have started there. But, I always have to make things difficult. :-D

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Gail link
3/31/2014 10:42:35 pm

Very nicely done! I had to laugh at your description of his sudden expertise - my guy does the same! Also, tell Mike that the ladies don't mind seeing a bit of extra thigh when the guys sit down ;-)

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 01:38:44 am

HA! They're something else, these men. :-D I did try to talk him into going a little shorter. But, he wasn't having it.

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tanyamaile link
4/1/2014 12:20:05 am

Mike didn't want the shorts in view 3? Lol :) They look pretty great to me and the plaid looks like it matches up. What a good man to buy you fabric and yarn.

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 01:40:26 am

HAHAHA! Maybe next time. You know, now that I'm looking more closely at those envelop illustrations, I do see why he might have been worried about the length. :-D

And, he is a complete enabler with the fabric and yarn! I'm lucky.

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kristieinbc link
4/1/2014 12:22:04 am

I can not believe you made those shorts! Well done!

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 01:42:27 am

THANKS, Kristie. It's absolutely a goal of mine to make homemade things that don't look like they weren't "homemade". :-D

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Teresa link
4/1/2014 12:24:37 am

These are awesome! My husband is just as picky, probably for the same reasons! He is gifted with a tush, which most men's clothes don't accommodate for! Love these shorts!

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 01:45:57 am

I think they're among the lucky ones. At least, I'm not complaining. But, I can empathize with difficult fit issues. Customized fit is one of the reasons I wanted to learn to sew.

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zilredloh link
4/1/2014 12:30:01 am

These are great shorts; I'm glad you were able to able to get through the *ahem* 'mike difficulties' to make a pair of shorts he loves. I'm sure a second pair will come together much more quickly and with less stress. :)

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 01:48:32 am

Ha. He made-up for all the pouting with praise once we were finished. I think that future pairs will be much easier now that I know what I'm doing. Now, I need to pin-down Meg and have her show me everything she knows about shirt making.

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crab&bee link
4/1/2014 01:59:50 am

Wow, these look great! Really professional. If you haven't taken a look at it already, I highly recommend Seamstress Poppykettle's welt pocket tutorial: http://poppykettle.com/2012/04/10/101-single-welt-pockets/

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 06:51:27 am

THANKS! I'm going to check into that tutorial ASAP!

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Alicia link
4/1/2014 04:40:30 am

The fact that you can sew things like that is amazing. They look fabulous! Also, it's hilarious that your man took such a specific... interest. Mine has strong feelings about his knitwear, too. Only the finest alpaca for him!

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 06:52:44 am

HA. Mike is this particular with sweaters also! :-D

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Meg link
4/1/2014 06:05:53 am

They look great! The fit is very good, and I hear you about trying to sew for tall men. Sheesh! So many fittings! The pocket looks great, and I definitely think we should team up and tackle some in the future :) Well done on completing this UFO!

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 06:54:22 am

I'm inspired by your man-shirt, Meg. I've got a pattern ready, I just need to muster the motivation to cut and start sewing. If I have you there to back me up, I'm sure to get it done!

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Renee Anne link
4/1/2014 06:22:22 am

Those are amazeballs and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter. Oh wait, I already read the blog...I suppose that's kind of like a newsletter :)

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Michelle link
4/1/2014 06:55:23 am

THANKS!!

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Loran link
4/1/2014 07:00:05 am

You could always TEACH him how to sew his own shorts... : ) Seriously, though, they look great. I learned how to do those back welts when I had to make 42 pairs of mens pants for a hotel many, many years ago. I think the number 42 is magic, because by the time you hit it you've got the technique DOWN!

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Sue @ A Colourful Canvas link
4/1/2014 08:58:30 am

Your post had me laughing out loud. Been there, done that! Your end result is fantastic though! I love the fabric choice! I think I just might have to sew shorts for my husband too.

The fabric disguises any imperfections in the welt pocket. Yay! They do take practice, and if you've found a tutorial to help, all the better. I know when I make them I fuse a rectangle of lightweight interfacing that matches the outer stitching lines. I use small, small stitches at the corners and ends of the pocket. And the corner cuts have to go right to the corner. Almost too far, if you know what I mean!

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Reana Louise link
4/1/2014 12:03:27 pm

Hahaha, this post made me lough out loud! And they're really fabulous shorts :D

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Tasha link
4/2/2014 12:59:11 am

They really look super on him! But wow, sounds like a bit of an ordeal getting everything just right. So worth plowing through. Your plaid matching is amazing, I am working my way up to using plaid, because I do love it. He looks happy as a clam and he should be for having such a wonderful wife to sew for him. :)

But now I want to see the matchy matchy outfit photos...!! ;)

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Sally link
4/2/2014 09:41:51 am

These short are great! But I really had to comment on the awesomeness that is the photo on the pattern envelope - BAHAHA! YES PLEASE AND THANK YOU! :)

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cidell link
4/3/2014 07:36:12 am

These, are beautiful shorts!

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Jennifer Lauren link
4/3/2014 04:46:54 pm

Wow! These are amazing! I really need to make David a shirt, but that is nothing compared to making a pair of shorts. And they fit so well!

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