URBAN BUTTERFLY – Grainline Maritime Shorts (take 3!)

Posted on October 13, 2013 by sewbusylizzy

Grainline Maritime Shorts, Take 3. Size 4

Grainline Maritime Shorts. We didn’t take this deliberately but it’s kind cute with the butterfly wings – now I wonder if there is angel halo graffiti anywhere…!

Here we finally are in Grainline Maritime Shorts in size 4. Sorry, looking a little creased we drove around for ages – it was excessively windy! Paired with my gym shirt at the suggestion of ELH.

I couldn’t stop until I mastered these shorts (previous two pairs are posted here…). Yes, I can be a little bit obsessive. I really love these ones, I confess that I am a camouflage print fan (yup, bet you never guessed that!).

Grainline Maritime Shorts, back view. How cool – camo pockets – yes they are really there!! The sand is blowing off the beach in this shot and absolutely stinging my skin from head to toe. Ouch. These dunes have eroded due to storm action, high tides etc – hence the safety fencing.

Once again I took a massive wedge out of the back seam and waistband pieces after I tried them on (I think if more men realised how much time women spent semi-nude sewing, they would be rushing out to purchase sewing machines for their wives and girlfriends…. just sayin’). The ‘butt fit’ is pretty good I think. The only change I might make (next time) is tapering in the leg ever so slightly.

I made the buttonhole horizontal rather than vertical. I checked all my jeans, denim mini skirts etcetera (I have a rather large collection of denim) and their buttonholes were all horizontal. I think it makes sense. It provides a little bit of ease, the button has room to slide rather than pulling against the buttonhole. I also double stitched the hems – just because.

Fabric is from the stash (it’s just cotton drill – purchased for $3 and even the zip came from the stash!). My workmate explained that this camouflage colourway is referred to as ‘urban camo’ as it is concrete greys rather than jungle greens. If it wasn’t for the reflective logos on my gym singlet you wouldn’t even know I was there…

I’m missing my butterfly wings! And I have this weird leg muscle thing going on – maybe too many lunges, burpees and squats at the gym that day…

Here’s one of the things I love about sewing. I would never have even tried a pair of short shorts on in a shop – yet I sew them, photograph them and discover that my legs are not as heinous as I thought. Maybe I am a ‘shorts’ girl after all… ELH agrees.

Nothing much to say – except I love these little fellas. Cute as.

Make ’em – I know you want to…

Pattern: Grainline Maritime Shorts.
Fabric: Cotton Drill from Spotlight, $3

Pattern details & adjustments – check out this blog post…

Now I haven’t made a dress in a while…

62 thoughts on “URBAN BUTTERFLY – Grainline Maritime Shorts (take 3!)”

Jodie (@scaredstitchles) on October 13, 2013 at 12:03 pm said:

Smokin!
You’ve got the legs for shorts and that fit is perfect!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 1:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jodie! It was worth all the sewing in the end.
  
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gingermakes on October 13, 2013 at 1:00 pm said:

Killer! Love these!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 1:04 pm said:
  
  Can imagine you in these!
  
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  - gingermakes on October 13, 2013 at 2:27 pm said:
    
    I’ve been meaning to make them the last two summers, but time just got away from me!
    
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    - sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 3:32 pm said:
      
      For some reason I find sewing out of season more fun and productive – when the warm weather hits you actually do have something to wear 🙂
      
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      - gingermakes on October 13, 2013 at 3:49 pm said:
        
        That’s super smart! I did a little bit this summer, making a blazer and an Archer shirt, which I’m so glad to have right now!
      - sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 4:05 pm said:
        
        So in a month or so you should perhaps start summer sewing!
      - gingermakes on October 14, 2013 at 4:48 am said:
        
        Hahaha, yes! 🙂
Boomdeeadda on October 13, 2013 at 2:28 pm said:

Awesomely cute! Your legs are the legs I dream I had. I just did a bit of sewing for Alys’s Birthday gift. It was the first time I did a zipper (super duper novice here). I made cosmetic bags, I learned on Youtube, LOL. Who know’s what’s next.

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 3:24 pm said:
  
  Never knock the power of YouTube – it’s my knitting guru!
  
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Amanda on October 13, 2013 at 2:34 pm said:

Epic work, Liz! And flex those buff calves, woman 😉

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 3:24 pm said:
  
  Working on having guns like you!
  
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Sew, Jean Margaret on October 13, 2013 at 3:18 pm said:

Love the relaxed fit you have achieved with theses shorts. You are definitely a shorts girl and you should make lots more of these for summer. If only I was a couple of decades younger…but unfortunately my days of wearing short shorts are over.

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 3:24 pm said:
  
  Never too old or young for 3/4 pants, they are a favourite of mine!
  
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Cari Homemaker on October 13, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:

Super cute shorts and you definitely have the legs to show off in them.

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks Cari x
  
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Juliet on October 13, 2013 at 5:07 pm said:

You’ve got killer legs! Love these little shorts, maybe I’ll try them for summer!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 5:38 pm said:
  
  They come highly recommended! Go for it – I need some sewing shorts sistas!
  
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sewmanju on October 13, 2013 at 5:18 pm said:

You definitely have the legs to pull these off. Very cute.

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 5:37 pm said:
  
  I think I’m a major fan of this pattern – I’m also obsessed with making jeans now!
  
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Blogless Anna on October 13, 2013 at 5:27 pm said:

Get those legs out more often young lady. I had a good chuckle about the nudity that comes with sewing clothes for yourself! Must get back to some selfish sewing…

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 5:37 pm said:
  
  We really should re-label ‘selfish sewing’ to ‘sexy sewing’!
  
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Vicki Kate on October 13, 2013 at 5:57 pm said:

Looks fabulous!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 6:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks VK xo
  
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Boony on October 13, 2013 at 8:54 pm said:

Camouflage print – very on trend this season. Well done!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 13, 2013 at 9:21 pm said:
  
  I’m been ahead of the fashion curve for years then! Thanks 🙂
  
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grtescp on October 13, 2013 at 10:37 pm said:

I don’t even wear short shorts to hot yoga, but if had legs like yours I would, and everywhere else – these look fabulous!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 14, 2013 at 6:50 am said:
  
  Hot yoga! That sounds hard core!!
  
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lisa g on October 13, 2013 at 11:37 pm said:

can’t imagine why you thought you couldn’t pull off wearing shorts! all the pairs you made are great. i think i’ll try out this pattern next year just to mix it up with all the thurlows i’ve made!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 14, 2013 at 7:14 am said:
  
  I think I’ve always worn the wrong length shorts, they used to chop me off visually and make me look dowdy.
  It will be interesting to see how these compare to the Thurlows. I’m kinda tempted to go back & re-try the Thurlows now…
  
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DMgirl on October 14, 2013 at 1:00 am said:

Very cute! The fit looks great. Wonderful pictures as well. 🙂

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- sewbusylizzy on October 14, 2013 at 7:14 am said:
  
  My husband is very patient with my pictures, I’m a lucky blogger.
  
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Scruffy badger on October 14, 2013 at 5:35 am said:

When will I ever get used to this whole Southern Hemisphere / northern hemisphere sewing difference. It feels odd to see you there in super short summer shorts…… When I’m in a fleece and thinking coats. But it is lovely to get some sunshine through the blog reader as well as inspiration! And your photos tend to be in such dreamy locations….graffiti and all! Nice going on these shorts, they look fab x

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- sewbusylizzy on October 14, 2013 at 8:53 pm said:
  
  I do fret a little that’s makes are out of season for so many readers but like you said I’m happy to channel some summer sunshine your way!
  
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CGCouture on October 14, 2013 at 7:49 am said:

Cute shorts! And interesting about the camo colorway–I had previously heard it was for colder climates with snow, but I think your way makes more sense.

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- sewbusylizzy on October 14, 2013 at 8:52 pm said:
  
  Probably works for both – we don’t get much snow where I live 🙂 not even a frost!
  
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busylizzieinbrizzy on October 14, 2013 at 10:32 am said:

These are my favourite pair, maybe because I have a secret penchant for camo print 🙂 Great fit too.
Funny story, I wore camo print pants to Korea and at the airport they thought I was US military! Me! ha – I look the furthest from military you could imagine, plus I was wearing them with pink – bizarre!!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 14, 2013 at 11:12 am said:
  
  OMG that is hilarious – my husband loves these best too. I actually wore them all weekend… I think there will be more in my immediate future!
  
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sewcharleston on October 14, 2013 at 11:53 am said:

So we ended up being the same size! I wore a pair of mine today too!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 14, 2013 at 12:35 pm said:
  
  We must be sewing twins separated at birth. I wore mine all weekend. Love them!
  
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macinic on October 14, 2013 at 12:42 pm said:

Gorgeous!!! and I love the butterfly camo shot! You’re rocking them so well!!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 14, 2013 at 4:57 pm said:
  
  It was completely unplanned but when I looked at the shots when I got home I was amazed – so cool, so unintentional!
  
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Rachel on October 14, 2013 at 7:29 pm said:

These are great! I wore mine on Saturday – finally had a hot enough day. I’m gonna make another pair in a heavy red cotton from Ikea. C’mon Summer!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 14, 2013 at 7:51 pm said:
  
  Red cotton will be great! I’ve been thinking a navy pair with white stitching & a red striped top. Ahoy summer!
  
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nishi on October 14, 2013 at 10:29 pm said:

Looking cool! I love the print and they fit you perfectly! I’m too chicken to wear shorts at all, but these do look very comfy… Maybe you have persuaded me to give it another go! 🙂

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- sewbusylizzy on October 15, 2013 at 5:19 am said:
  
  They are definitely worth a try – especially if you have an ambition to make trousers or jeans as you can practice a fly front, fitting & pockets without the fabric commitment of lots of fabric!
  
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nettie on October 15, 2013 at 2:49 am said:

Awesome!!! And I mean your shorts and your legs!!!

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- sewbusylizzy on October 15, 2013 at 5:19 am said:
  
  Thanks Nettie x
  
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Gjeometry on October 16, 2013 at 9:38 am said:

Adorable shorts, they look great! And, the sun….Oh, the sun…..I am so coming to visit you soon Lizzie. Is it okay if I bring Kitty? (ps, never apologize for having muscle!!!)

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- sewbusylizzy on October 16, 2013 at 9:52 am said:
  
  The good news is we have sunshine pretty much all year round. If Kitty is a cat – that might be a problem… I’m desperately allergic to cats!
  
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  - Gjeometry on October 16, 2013 at 9:54 am said:
    
    Darn it!! (And, did you just ask if the famous sewing superhero Kitty was a cat???? He coughs up a virtual furball on your blog). 🙂
    
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    - sewbusylizzy on October 16, 2013 at 10:38 am said:
      
      *sneezes*
      
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      - Gjeometry on October 16, 2013 at 10:41 am said:
        
        “Mwuah ha ha ha ha” -Kitty
      - sewbusylizzy on October 16, 2013 at 11:50 am said:
        
        Nasty kitty (unleashes Banjo The Whippet)
      - Gjeometry on October 16, 2013 at 11:58 am said:
        
        A-ha!! Plan backfire!!! Kitty loves dogs. (‘looks smug’)
      - Gjeometry on October 16, 2013 at 12:00 pm said:
        
        (proof: http://gjeometry.com/about-2/)
MariaDenmark on October 19, 2013 at 6:01 pm said:

Oh, Lizzy. They look absolutely great on you! They look so great, I’m almost tempted to go to the gym (naah, I get so bored there – I’ll rather go for a run, even though it doesn’t get me muscels like that…)

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- sewbusylizzy on October 19, 2013 at 6:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks Maria! I used to hate the gym but I like some of the intense classes – I’ve joined a gym three times… and this is the first time I’ve stuck with it… I think…
  
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