Amanda vs Palisades Shorts

You know you have a winner of a me-made when you start to wear the fabric through at all the seams. My last Springfield Top has been my summer MVP for the last two years and as I dove into the stash to grab fabric for a new version I knocked my pile of linen over. Well thank you Clumsy Amanda because it made me realise that I had the fixings for a perfect summer outfit. And even though now the autumn chill is well and truly here – viva la summer wear!

These sassy leg coverings are the Palisades Pants by Papercut Patterns. The Palisades can be made in either a full length or as shorts and they feature centre front and back (rather than side) seams, cross over pockets and a stealth elasticised waist at the back. So comfy, so ninja!

As mentioned above, the shirt is the Springfield Top by Cashmerette. This ticks all of my top sewing boxes – I can squeeze it out of 1m of fabric, my E cup already catered for and the back is nicely fitted thanks to some sweet princess seams. Also, the single piece front means you can have fun with some big prints. Can I get a heck yeah?

Fabric wise, I got to use up some more of my stash with ochre linen from The Fabric Store for the shorts and Coleman Bouquet cotton lawn from La Mercerie for the top. You know my thoughts on The Fabric Store linen and this piece was as fabulous as the rest. One thing to note – I used a light weight fusible interfacing for the pocket edges and I found these have stretched a bit with use. The cotton lawn for the top is lovely. It is super lightweight but still has a nice crispness. It is also super forgiving when you need to unpick… Or so I’ve heard from a friend. Not from me when I accidentally put my princess seams on backwards…

Construction wise, the shorts were very easy to put together. I had lots of fun constructing the pockets and may have made peeps at CBR Sewing Crew put their hands into the partially constructed double pockets. One thing I did do after wearing these twice was put an extra row of stitching though the middle of the elastic at the back. I found that the elastic would fold and roll making them super uncomfortable. Why do you treat me so badly, elastic?!

What I liked about this pattern:

• The pockets! I love the four for the price of two pockets.
• The elastic waistband. I’m living my best comfy summer life!

What I would change for next time:

• Lower the rise. After wearing these a bunch, I’ve discovered I’m not a fan of shorts on my true waist. It’s just not comfy in summer.
• Remove the faux front fly. There is no purpose to it and I like the design better without.

The Deets

Patterns: Palisades Pants by Papercut Patterns + Springfield Top by Cashmerette

Fabric: 1m ochre linen from The Fabric Store + 1m of Coleman Bouquet cotton lawn from La Mercerie

Notions: thread, 1m of 5cm wide elastic for shorts, a bunch of marsala satin bias binding for top

Size: L for shorts, 14E for top

Alterations: extra line of stitching to secure elastic and lengthened legs by 3cm for shorts, removed 5cm of length for top.

See other Springfield Tops: my other floral one, Diary of a Sewing Fanatic, Thornberry

See other Palisades Pants: Lladybird, Struggle Sews a Straight Seam, The Drapery

I’m cursing myself for leaving these until well into autumn to construct. The weather has sadly turned and these just aren’t comfy with tights under them so they shall have to wait until October for another look in. On the plus side, my new top is already in constant rotation and looks super cute with my marsala Blackwood Cardigan. I seriously love trans-seasonal wardrobe pieces!