pineapple shorts

Summer has finally arrived here in the Netherlands. Just in time for these pineapple shorts. 

These shorts are based on the Bubble Pocket Shorts pattern (which I've sewn twice before). This time, I lengthened the shorts and omitted the pockets, but I kept the piping, which I loved on these shorts. 

The pineapple print was made by freezer paper stenciling with discharge paste, as shown in my previous post.

The shorts are made from some peachy orange baby rib. The color is really hard to capture on photo, and it changes depending on the light, but it's really a nice summery color.

Pineapple print

 I created these pineapple fabrics with discharge paste. This is fabulous (and very smelly) stuff. It works like bleach, but since it's much thicker, it's very suitable for freezer paper stenciling. 

I used it before for one of my favorite projects, this triangle sweater.

For my current project, I cut out several pineapples, all slightly different and with different kinds of leaves. I ironed the freezer paper to the fabric and applied the discharge paste. 

When the paste was dry, some bleaching already had occurred. Then I steam ironed it, which activated the bleach even more. The effect is always a surprise; the degree of bleaching and the resulting color depends on the fabric. I've learned that jeans and red fabric don't work as well. But on this brown cotton, the pineapples came out clear and sharp.

I also printed some orange fabric. Curious what I made with my fabric?

Here's a sneak peek.... You can find the results here and here.

Linking up to:

Summer romper

This summer romper is not my creation, but my Mom's. She sewed it for me when I was a toddler. Yes, that's me on the left below. She saved it all those years for her grandkids to wear.  

Me, 33 years ago, and M, 3 years ago

The pattern is very simple; basically four equal panels, with elastic casing at the top and shoulder straps. But in all its simplicity, it's oh so cute. 

I've sewn this romper several times for my friends' kids (unfortunately, before starting my blog, so no pictures of those creations), and every time it's a very satisfying little project. Quick, easy to sew, versatile, and very cute. Perfect for summer.