pink dungaree shorts of dreams

I've always been a pink person. There was a brief period where I had a quarter life crisis tried to edit pink out of my wardrobe thinking it was time to dress in more "grown up" colours but it slowly crept back in. This year I'm fully celebrating the colour. I bloody love pink and nothing says that better than a bright pink pair of dungaree shorts.

I can't even begin to describe how much I loved this project. Pink, jumbo corduroy AND dungarees. Triple whammy of greatness. I actually used to own a pair of pink dungaree shorts when I was about 7. They were pale pink denim with purple embroidered flowers along the top edge of the bib pocket and I either wore them to death or until they no longer fitted me. It seems fitting that 20 years later I've made myself an adult version.


As I wanted to truly love wearing these dungarees I made a big effort to finish them to as high a standard as possible. I took my time with fitting, lined all the pockets and made matching bias binding to enclose raw edges which weren't flat fell seamed.


My new sewing machine made this project an absolute pleasure to sew. Elna heroically chomped through all the thick corduroy layers and made a great job with all the topstitching, not that it's particularly noticeable on jumbo corduroy.

Ok then, onto my adjustments. My bottom half measurements were well within size 38 so I cut that out for my toile but oh my god those were so tight across my bum I could barely sit down. Although I have hips I don't have a big bum (it's pretty flat) so that was perplexing. My thighs were also hulking out of the shorts to the point Bruce Banner would have been impressed. I ended up butchering my toile until I figured out where I needed extra length or space.

For my final pair I cut out a size 40 (which gave my apparently large backside plenty of room to sit) and made the following adjustments to the pattern

• 1" length added to the bodice and back and 1/2" length removed from the crotch depth. The shorts now sit at the top of my hip bone rather than high up on my waist which is more comfortable and a better proportion for me.

• graded down to size 38 at the waist on the outside short seams as 40 was too big.

• angled the straps to make them sit better against my back. I somehow hadn't considered this would eat into my back piece's seam allowance so I ended up sewing the back raw edges with a 3/8" seam allowance. 

• added double topstitching to the top of the back facing for added strength to the straps.

• 1 1/2"(!) added to the front inseam to accommodate my Incredible Hulk inner thighs. When I was watching World's Strongest Man over the festive period (family tradition, love it) I'm sure the commentator said that Brian Shaw's thigh circumference is 36". That's the same as my hip measurement. My body circumference is the same as his ONE THIGH. Wow.

• lined the straps and all pockets with polka dot cotton for a clean finish. I only had two fat quarters so had to piece together the strap lining but it isn't particularly noticeable. To encourage the lining to roll under my main fabric I cut it slightly smaller - a tip I learned from Sunni at A Fashionable Stitch. (Her blog was really useful for trouser fitting advice as well.) I also shaped corners following a method I found on Tilly's blog.

• for the first time ever I made my own bias binding to match the pocket linings and conceal raw edges on the back, front bib and hems. I think it looks smart, coordinated and damn cute. Who wouldn't love flashes of pink polka dots on their clothing?! 

• only turned up the shorts hem by 1/4" as I wasn't keen on the hotpants look.

• omitted the top pocket welt as I didn't think it was necessary once I lined the pocket.

The only thing I'm slightly disappointed with is how my shorts attached to the bib. I think the corduroy must have stretched out (I didn't think to staystitch across the top as it was on the straight) as I ended up having to ease it in to the bib. It's a bit puckered next to the centre seam but not worth losing sleep over. The shorts could possibly be more nipped in at the waist but that's also what makes them really comfortable so it's fine providing they don't grow in the wash. If/when I make another pair (I already want a pair in every colour) I might lengthen the straps by an inch as I have them fastened at their limit. On the other hand, that does mean they don't flap about and annoy me.


So all in all I absolutely love my dungarees. I've worn them loads in the last month and had great fun pairing them with fun tights and tops. Hands down my favourite sewing project yet and I really enjoyed learning new techniques such as flat fell seams, lining pockets and making bias binding. I was so pleased with my dungarees that I packed them for my trip up to Shetland last month for Up Helly Aa. Here they are in full glory on a beach with my borderline-surgically-attached agatha cardigan and turquoise hat.


It feels great getting to a stage where I can wear multiple handmade pieces together and that I'm choosing to wear/pack them over shop bought items. Like the majority of makers I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in wearing my handmade items, but best of all I feel very "me." I think this photograph shows that perfectly!