I’ve been sewing a lot all of May but haven’t had the time to take any pictures. I’m hoping to get the rest of my UFOs done in the next couple of weeks so that I can move on to my summer sewing plans.
I finished the Belize shorts from Itch to Stitch on May 20th, but I started them last September. Initially, I had graded up 2 sizes to accommodate my hips, but when I tried them on they were too large overall.
I took out the waistband, the side seams, the leg seams and the crotch seam and sewed it back together much smaller. I took out about 5 inches overall. Sadly, that was about 1 inch too much in the back. When I tried them on again, I found the back was a smidge too tight. I also found both the front and back rise were too high at the centre. The back rise needs about an inch taken out at the centre back and the front needs about 2 inches taken out at the centre front.
There are some major fit tweaks to get this right, but I actually quite like the shorts. The length is perfect and the crotch doesn’t ride up too much while I am walking. Not that I’ve done much walking to test this, because it’s not really shorts weather here yet much to my chagrin.
The fabric I used is a hot pink stretch denim. Leftover from a Snapdragon skirt ages ago.
TL:DR Review
- Pattern: Itch to Stitch Belize Shorts
- Pros: Love the the flat waistband at front with the elastic waistband back. I like the variety of looks with the pattern and the skort option.
- Cons: A good size range, but I do subtract meanly for having to grade up a couple of sizes and then needing to grade down. Makes me not trust size charts!
- Make again?: I might… To be honest, I kind of feel like I found a good casual short pattern with the Oceanside shorts. I also have two other shorts patterns in progress. I doubt I will come back to this pattern this year.
- Rating:
3.5/5 stars
Andie Wells Studio 
Those are so cute! I do think I might prefer the Oceanside shorts. I need some new shorts and that looks like a good pattern to try, especially after your previous review. I’m so happy that you’re sewing again and feeling better. ❤
Thanks so much, Tanya! I definitely think if you are looking for elastic waist shorts, the Oceanside are a lot more comfortable. 🙂 I’m so glad to be back sewing, too. I missed it!
Elastic waist sounds good! I just don’t want shorts the ride up.
Yeah, that’s a bit tougher. I think you have to find the sweet spot with the length. For me, it’s just below where my thighs stop rubbing each other.
I love the hot pink Andie! You’re convincing me that I might need to finally write up my Oceanside pants. I’ve been wearing them recently and they’re not nearly as bad as I originally thought plus the pockets are so so cute. It turns out when drawstring pants start falling down, you can re-tie them. LOL! I suppose I am that lazy of a dresser in summer!
Thanks, Elizabeth! 🙂 Lol! Sometimes it’s too much to tie a drawstring. 😂😂
I wish I had read this after going thru the same overgrade issues I experienced too! Loving the shorts and now you got me wanting to finally pull out my Oceanside and see what happens