The Shorts
That (Almost) Broke Me
A beginner’s gamble in fabric
A Wildly Overambitious First Project
Back in September 2024, I decided to teach myself how to sew. No small projects, no easy wins. I was going to make a pair of shorts inspired by my favourite clearance-rack find from a store in Prince Rupert over a decade ago.
Choosing this as my first sewing project wasn’t the issue. The problem was the fabric. I picked a lightweight, mix-polyester material from Fabricland in olive green with a geometric white and gold pattern. It looked perfect for my complexion and would pair beautifully with a simple top or bodysuit. What I didn’t know then was how tricky lightweight fabrics can be when you don’t understand things like French seams or proper interfacing.
To make it harder on myself, my mom’s old sewing machine wasn’t working properly. Cue me servicing it, realizing it was beyond saving, and picking up my very first sewing machine from Walmart.
A Happy Accident in the Perfect Size
I used the High Waisted Shorts with Elastic Back Waist pattern from Studio CS Patterns. The pattern and video tutorial were great for my beginner skills, not so much. I botched the sizing at the waist, but somehow, they ended up fitting my mom perfectly.
She was so thrilled, I convinced her to do a mini photoshoot in them. She styled them with this adorable white cropped top with a waffle texture, and honestly, she looked so damn cute. She loved them so much, she took them with her on her trip to the Philippines and wore them in the brand new home she built there.
A Lesson Worth Stitching In
That experience didn’t scare me off. If anything, it made me fall harder for sewing. I still have a different colourway of that same fabric, white with the green geometric pattern, which I turned into a housecoat for my mom and aunt and found the process much easier now that I know how to handle lightweight materials.
I realize now this project wasn’t a failure. It was the spark that lit a path I didn’t know I needed to walk. And sometimes, the things we make for other people carry the sweetest stories.
