AKA the Cheetah/Cheater Shorts (the shorts you wear when you want to be wearing a skirt…)
So if you were going to the zoo… and riding a bike… what would you choose to make?
Tania Culottes – doing what they were designed to do!
Bingo! The Tania Culottes by Megan Nielsen. In animal print no less….
Tania Culottes and some giraffes – I’m looking a little weary – so NOT a morning person…
These are kinda kooky & crazy but you know… I think I kinda love them.
I admit, like the Cascade Skirt of Mulletdom, the Tania Culottes held little appeal when the Breakwater Collection by Megan Nielsen was released – obviously I am a nincompoop – or I just need the right burst of inspiration. I have vague memories of culottes (not on me, I am clearly not that traumatised) and recall them being daggy and knee-length. You know… the sensible wardrobe skirt choice for women who don’t want to risk showing their knickers.
You see, I don’t recall culottes looking like this…
Miss 8 asked for the camera and returned it with this shot of “Mum’s butt” she explained. These culottes are kinda flirty and in a strong wind they don’t blow up completely but you do show LOTS of leg – I’ve spare you any risqué shots today 🙂 Note this is Day 2 at the zoo – we had a quick visit and drove the car around – hence the heeled sandals.
I loved wearing these. So comfortable, cute and cool. I suspect they will get a lot of wear – with or without a zoo visit.
Oopsies – obscuring your view of the amazing Galapagos Tortoise – I thought you were here for the sewing? Those tortoises live for 150 years!
These culottes are a bit like wearing two circle skirts around your legs. They swing and swish around your legs as you walk. They are so full it’s hard for the untrained eye to spot the culotte-ness of them! I managed to throw my leg over my unladylike bike all day without sharing my underwear choices with the other zoo visitors (I love those townie bikes but in my life the practicality of a mountain bike with suspension/gears reigns supreme – they are awesome to ride). The zoo circuit is only 5kms long but you are forever jumping on and off your bike (I did pack some ‘backup shorts’ just in case… and they were not required).
Tania Culottes and the inspiration!
Tania Culottes and the less-than-inspiring real life cheetah – these big cats are seriously lazy. Note: I wore a loose long-sleeved, collar shirt while riding – otherwise I would have been burnt to a crisp!
Whoopsies Part 1: The waistband… I managed to interface the waistband and the waistband interfacing pieces – yeah I don’t know what I was thinking either. Fortunately it didn’t have any impact on the culottes other than a slightly firmer waistband – which might have actually helped evening up the hems as they sit very nicely indeed.
Whoopsies Part 2: The hemming is hard core. I left them to hang overnight and when I put them on, I swear my drunk monkey had been swinging off the raw edges all night long while swigging his beer.
I cut these shorts as XS with the Large leg length. I am fairly confident they ended up shorter than the ‘large’ leg length due to all the levelling of the hem – lots of fabric was sacrificed! I actually convinced ELH to lend a hand (I know he’s probably the LSH at this point (Long Suffering Husband). I have NO IDEA how I would have managed to even up these hems by myself.
After levelling my hems (I can handle the Cascade skirt but I’m not a mullet hem shorts kinda girl), I overlocked the edges and then hand stitched the hems… yes, it took forever but like my rayon Anna dresses, I think the finish of the garment is much nicer.
The Finishing Touch
ummmm…. it also makes it easier to tell the front from the back…
This was a truly awesome experience – feeding giraffes… these creatures are just so graceful and beautiful – I fell completely in love with them. It was a little unnerving to stand still while their giant heads swooped down, tongues outstretched searching for a carrot.
Feeding Giraffes! That’s Miss 10 – who is getting far too tall!!
I had a lovely time at the Dubbo Western Plains Zoo – it is the country cousin of Taronga Zoo in Sydney. It’s not as shiny and glamorous as Taronga, there are not so many animals, the views not as grand BUT it’s a wonderful day out, there are fewer people, shorter queues and you really do get close to the animals. Plus riding a bicycle around was a delight and made for one of the most pleasant days at the zoo (OK, I confess a few wines in the park with lovely old school friends afterwards might have added to the fun…).
THE LOWDOWN ON THE HIGH-HEMMED CULOTTES
Seriously cute, flirty and fun to wear.
Seriously easy to make – it’s just the hems of horror that are a challenge, all I can say is find a friend to help (or a husband!).
DETAILS
Pattern: Tania Culottes by Megan Nielsen. It’s very hard to get your hands on a printed copy of this now – I searched high and low for mine and got it from Indie Stitches – it’s now sold out there too, I think it’s now ‘out of print’. Megan does sell it as a PDF.
Fabric: Spun Rayon Challis from Lincraft (available online)
Location: Dubbo Western Plains Zoo
Need more inspiration? Also see: Cirque du bebe | Scruffy Badger | Lladybird | Sown Brooklyn | Four Square Walls | Handmade by Heather B
Sew Busy Lizzy 
Very cute shorts and another great photo shoot. You are so inspiring.
Thank you – I just could not resist the perfection of this pattern, fabric and location!
I may have literally *squeed* when I saw the title for the blog post!! You made them!! And they are every bit as awesome as I had envisioned when you tweeted that you were going to do it!! So this pattern is OOP already? Didn’t it just come out less than a year ago? *eek* Maybe I should get my PDF copy ordered for when I’m not the size of a smallish whale….before I can’t!
The paper pattern does exist but you will have to hunt for it.
I do prefer paper patterns although I’m becoming very fond of the companies who provide the ‘copy shop’ version – it is sticking all the sheets together that I avoid with a passion!
Just fab Lizzy! I think a bike tour of the hunter valley wineries might be in order…
Oh great idea! Now what fabric would that require…
Oooh – maybe some kind of abstract Japanese fabric… Nani Iro perhaps?
Crikey, could do a Aussie tour with culottes for every place! Now that would be a journey!
I think it’s important that you do this…
It seems sensible… A Stitcher’s Pilgrimage… Wonder if there’s a book advance in that!!
Oooh!
as ever you look fabulous lizzy!
Mwah!
Love these! Great material. Ever make I see of this pattern is gorgeous, I’m going to give it a go if I can get somewhere to print it out 🙂
I would recommend fabric with lots of ‘swish’ I think it suits the design best and also makes it less ‘shorty’. Lots of fun to make!
Lovely culottes – they look fabulous on you! I had to snigger at the fabric as a UK Zoo (Chessington, just outside London) has just banned visitors from wearing animal prints as it confuses the animals. Yep, seriously! I have to say that the giraffes do NOT look confused!
Funnily enough we were talking about that on the visit!
I can see why that could happen – however most of the animals are born in captivity so I wonder if that has any impact on their fear (or not) of certain things?
Wonderful culottes! Much nicer than shorts (IMHO) and the cheetah print is fabulous – even if the cheetah is a lazy cat. I couldn’t have been that close to the giraffes though. Their tongues seriously freak me out – they are long and a very funny colour!
They are blue tongues… and quite hard and tough! I was glad not to be slobbered on 🙂
Just make me go UUuuuuuuuurggggh!
the giraffes are so beautiful up close that you can forgive them anything – even an ugly tongue!
You are such a doll. I love these. Glad the giraffes didn’t think you were a cheetah! I would love to get this close to a giraffe. Looks amazingly humbling that this big creature has its face right near yours
Their heads are huge, even though I knew how big giraffes are I was still surprised by their head size. Enormous!!
They look great on you! I might have to make these myself for next summer, they seem so practical.
Great for bike riding. It’s nice to be able to wear a full short ‘skirt’ and not worry too much about the wind factor.
Yes, bike riding is exactly what I had in mind! I live in the Netherlands and about 99% of the times I leave my house it will be on a bike so I don’t usually wear a lot of skirts and dresses.
You’re so right – culottes have a bad connotation. I get shivers just thinking about the pair I had to wear in middle school. Yuck! But your version is great, actually, I love it. I think the key to this is the fabric – picking a swingy silk so that it looks like you’re wearing a skirt rather than shorts.
Yes, lots of drape is best – when I wear these I feel like I’ve got nothing on!
My vision of culottes is beige corduroy… ugh. I can’t even imagine what they made you wear at school!!!
Woah lady, they are gorgeous! I’m seriously tempted to consider them for next summer as it is definitely turning into tights and cardigan weather here.
I love giraffes too, something so elegant about them but they’re also a little ungainly at the same time!
I’ve been thinking about your coming change of season, I’m really excited about summer coming but I don’t imagine you feel the same about winter…
They look great! Love the pattern choice and after seeing these few ‘modern’ pairs, I don’t have such ill feeling towards the whole ‘culottes’ image. 🙂
That’s exactly how I felt after they started popping up online, they really are fun to wear.
I like it, I make a 40s inspired play suit outfit from this pattern, cut shorter for beach wear.
Oh that sounds fabulous!
Love the culottes! I can see a closet full of lots of different colorful versions of these. So fun yet practical.
I’m madly hunting for my next fabric for more of these. It’s love!
These are great! I have admit I had just the thoughts you wrote about when I read you had made coulottes, but my prejudices have been thoroughly undone. And your legs are great, if I may offer this sewing unrelated comment 🙂
I used to think culottes and immediately have visions of a-line beige corduroy – not a pretty sight…
I’m genetically blessed to be small & lean – yes one of those females other women curse! 🙂
Love your culottes! Perfect outfit for a day at the zoo!
Thanks!
So immensely cute! Love them in animal print. I meant to make some after I made some for youngest dort but Summer ran out 😦 And wow such a close encounter with such amazing creatures! Great photos Lizzy x
Summer is all too fleeting for you! It was a great trip. Miss 10 wants to go back next year and camp inside the zoo (you cam hire a tent) that would be great fun!!
The culottes are perfect! I love that most won’t even know they are culottes and that it looks like a skirt. A definite must for next summer for me, I think I have flashed 90% of the downtown core on my bike this summer.
Highly recommended for bike riding – they do flip about but nothing like a skirt!
I loved this pattern when it came out but have never been able to catch the pattern while it is in stock… and honestly if I am spending $$ I want a physical pattern! (This may change as more independent patterns come on the scene..OR if I find I just can’t wait! ) Anyway, I LOVE yours. They are super cute and girly and being able to look cute and flirty AND ride a bike while maintaining youyr modesty seems like a winner! ~Laurie
They are a definite winner. I like paper patterns too but if you can’t find a copy I would imagine the pages would not be too onerous to stick together.
These are just fantastic! What a way to show off your great legs 🙂
LOL yes ELH thought I was rather mad cutting them at the longer leg length…
I love these! The cheetah is great, perfect choice for the zoo. I wanted to make these over the summer, but as we are entering the fall here I think I’ll have to put these off until the next warm season. Thanks for the heads up on the hem!
Oh the hems are hard hard work. I think the fact they were so cute on – even with uneven hems – I was determined to make them wearable 🙂
These are so cute! I’ve seen them on a number of folks and just love how they swish and swing. And, the animal print?? Fabulous. See, even the giraffes are loving them and they, theoretically, should actually run away from leopard print. 😛
I know that’s what I was thinking – maybe the giraffes thought I had skinned the leopard and was on their side?
hahahaha. Sounds plausible.
On a serious note. You should make these – they are so fun to wear!
Duly noted. And, think I may have to. But, will have to wait for summer now.
Perfect culottes. Perfect fabric. Perfect setting. Perfect Aussie weather.
Simply perfect Lizzy.
That’ five perfects – must be a new record! It was a perfect day – I had so much fun. I love bike riding, I’ve been so busy for the last year or so I think I had forgotten that!
Grrrreat culottes Lizzy! Love them, and I love your photos! Sigh. Mine are out of season now, but I am thinking of some winter ones….maybe!
I was thinking the same thing, in a nice drapey wool, with tights and boots these would be rather super in the colder months!
Dead cute! As always, a great make & fabulous photos!
Thank you – it was lots of fun!
Ooooh, I’ve been considering a pair of culottes for summer – sold!
Enjoy – most.fun.make.ever!
Very cute:) If only I had your legs I would totally make some 😉
Longer version perhaps?
Now I wish I had a leopard pair. These are just so great!
I’m loving them, wore them today again! That’s three times in one week.
You must have been the best dressed person there because you look fantastic! Everyone needs a bit of swish in their life don’t they?!
The sandals on Day 2 were a bit dressy but with things/flip-flops on Day 1 I blended right in!
They look great on you. Great pictures, especially the one with the giraffes.
That was a lot of fun, lots of giggles!
Love the animal print! I have made a pair of Tania culottes and love them as well. I think I have found the inspiration for my 2nd pair!! 🙂
I love these shorts! I really want to make myself a pair. Animal print is an inspired choice!
I’ve never worn animal print until Jungle January but with the right make it’s great!
I’m starting to get jealous of how great you look in EVERYTHING!!! These are so perfect on you!
Thanks for the shout out! And for taking us along on your zoo visit!
LOL perhaps I only make things that suit me 🙂
Thank you xo
Super cute! MeeYOW!!
They are roarsome 🙂
Gosh I love spring and these are some seriously good culottes. They look fantastic and the hems? Goodness, but those hems are amazing as well :).
I had completely forgotten about culottes. I must have a looksee.
These are super awesome culottes – I absolutely love them – I keep washing them and putting them back on! So easy to wear and look roarsome!
This is how I THINK I look on vacation- serene, stylish, wind gently blowing….not the squinty hostile sweatball I actually am!
LOL that made me laugh – after these pictures I fell asleep in the car – my usual mode for traveling – I’m great company!
These are adorable. So stylish and yet so practical. Fabulous. And I can’t help but notice a passing resemblance to Rachel Griffiths in these photos!
I have worn these quite a bit – so comfortable and so flattering. I’ve never been compared to Rachel Griffiths but given she’s an amazingly talented Aussie actress I’ll take that! xo
Hi Lizzy, I’m planning on going to Dubbo these holidays and was wondering if there was any where specific to go to whilst we’re there – other than the zoo of course 🙂
Now I know I’m going to have to make myself some culottes for the biking – I’ve had this pattern for a while!
They were perfect for cycling – although it wasn’t windy!
The zoo is a two day visit pass – that took up all our time. They have an early morning tour – make sure you are there when the doors open to get a ticket to feed the giraffes – so worth it & they do sell out quickly!
There is a Dubbo Goal (old) in the CBD to visit which is apparently great. They have a cultural centre, observatory etc as well.
Enjoy – we had a ball at the zoo!
Thank you for getting back to me! I’m looking forwards to playing mini golf at the observatory! And excited about the zoo, I will make sure to get there early for the giraffes, thank you for the heads up 🙂
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