Thursday, 5 June 2014

Pattern Testing: Prefontaine Shorts For Women

If you've got kids and you sew, I'm sure you've heard of the Prefontaine Shorts pattern by Made with Moxie. Well now there's a women's version, but slightly more pimped out! I put my hand up to pattern test for Jill some time ago and made three versions. The Womens Prefontaine shorts have just been pre released as the bonus pattern when you spend $28+ for the latest Perfect Pattern Parcel.


The Prefontaine shorts are an elastic waist design with front pockets, optional back patch or welt pockets, curved hems and bound seams. The design is incredibly versatile and also has a exposed elastic variation. With the right fabric they can be your summer shorts, running shorts or (like in my case) PJ shorts. Apologies in advance for yet another post where I'm wearing PJ's. I made no effort to style the shorts for these photos- they are PJS after all!

                  Prefrontaine Shorts for women

The first pair I made were from an earlier version of pattern testing so they exclude any design features. I made them from a blue and green pea flannel with a green pre-bought bias binding. The fit is great and they are fantastically comfy PJ shorts.

Prefrontaine Shorts for women

For my second pair I made the shorty short variation (hence the tights) with front pockets. I made them out of the left over fabric from Tim's Woodland animal PJ pants. I love these PJ shorts so much! In the instructions Jill includes great tip on making your own bias out of an old tshirt or knit fabric scraps. Because it's knit fabric you don't have to fussy cut on the bias. For this pair of shorts I used left over grey fabric from my Eva Dress to make the (non)bias strips.

Prefrontaine Shorts for women

This length shorts is perfect for summer PJ's, running shorts or even beach cover up shorts.

Prefrontaine Shorts for women

Finally I made a third pair of shorts with both front pockets and a welt back pocket. For this pair I chose the left over fabric from my hacked Floral Emery dress skirt and peppermint wrap dress. I used an old singlet top I never wear to make (non) bias for the trimming. I made two button holes in the waistband before sewing down the waistband and used left over bias to make a waist drawstring. I really like this addition. I tried and make this pair of shorts more casual day wear. Something comfy and casual for summer weekends. I don't really own shorts like this, I wear skirts or more fitted tailored shorts. To be honest, I don't think I can pull this look off. But, that may just be because I'm in the middle of autumn here and my legs are super pale.

Prefrontaine Shorts for women

I absolutely recommended this pattern. They're an achievable make for beginners but with enough versatility to excite a more experienced sewer. If you think you might want to make exercise shorts, summer shorts, PJ shorts or anything in between the Prefontaine Shorts are a winner.

9 comments:

  1. I love these! Hopefully they will come out as a pattern after this parcel is over. Would be perfect for summer gardening.

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    1. Thanks Michelle, they would be perfect for gardening.
      Lots of bloggers are coming out with much more casual wearable versions which look amazing.

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  2. Great shorts! I totally think you can pull them off in public. Everyone is too hard on themselves when it comes to shorts. Hell, I hate shorts, but that's why I are this pattern. Life gets too hot. ;) Thanks for testing for me! I really appreciate it.

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    1. Thank you for the kind comment and for allowing me to pattern test for you. I adore my new Jammie's

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  3. Lovely fabric choices Elizabeth.

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  4. These are utterly cute! Excellent fabric choices too

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  5. They're all really cute - looks like a great pattern!

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  6. Gorgeous Liz! They look like the perfect summer pjs shorts :)

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  7. All three are lovely :) Love it how different fabrics make the shorts look different :)

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