Scalloped Summer Shorts

Just finished my first bottom that isn't a skirt!

In preparation for summer and a vacation in September (yes, I am planning early), I wanted to make some denim shorts that look like they fit well (I hope they look like they fit well!). Most, if not all, of my shorts are cotton ones that I had gotten from Old Navy when I used to work there during college. I used to own a few cheapo Forever 21 denim shorts, but those were too short and ended up in a donation pile some few years ago.

These scalloped shorts have back heart pockets, front side pockets, and a hidden zipper back. The pattern is McCall's 6930 cut in a size 8. I usually cut size 10 for their patterns based on my body measurements, but I find I always have to take out more than needed. The last dress I made, I used a size 8 just to see... and it turned out that it was fine (I mean, I still had to take some stuff in, but less now...), so I will probably stick to cutting it out at that size.

I slimmed down the sides of these shorts by 1/4" on both sides as I wanted them to be a little bit more fitted. I'm glad that the crotch area doesn't look stretched so that you get weird lines and flaps in the front. I've experienced once before with Old Navy jeans where the front isn't cut nicely at the crotch and thighs so fabric just bunches up in that area. Ugh, that looks bad.

I was hoping these jeans would have the usual front flap zipper, but silly me, I skimmed the back of the envelope and skipped over the fact that the zipper is in the back center seam and it isn't in a flap. I suppose these shorts would be more like suit shorts and I suppose the small invisible zipper (that's the only type of zipper in my stash!) does looks a bit off with denim fabric... But gosh darn, it still looks cute.

I was prepared to finish these shorts in one night and it seemed very plausible, except that I made a terrible mistake after sewing the waistband! While trimming the seam that connects the waistband to the rest of the shorts, I accidentally nicked the tops of the zipper (one partially and one completely), so when I went to try it on, I completely removed the zipper pull. For the life of me, I could not get it to go back in. This might have been easier with a normal zipper, but the ends of my invisible zipper just kept busting and the fabric would just unravel. I ended up taking it out completely and putting a new one in, making sure the ends were away from the waistband seam. Lesson learned!

Overall, I like these shorts and they will definitely see a lot of wear this summer. I need to make more in multiple colors! (maybe or maybe not all scalloped...)