#32: Shiny Purple Shorts!

Hello again! I'm loving my new job, but I feel like it has been AGES since I've sewn! I was glad to have a nice Sunday off, and took the opportunity to paint my fingernails and sew (I'd recommend doing those in the reverse order. So much smudging). I dug through my big bag of projects and pulled out this puppy!

Before: Shiny purple shorts!

I found them at my favorite thrift store a few months ago for one dollar. I already had a transformation in mind when I picked them up. Let's see if my vision came to be!



First, I separated the seam between the legs of the shorts with a seam ripper.

Split shorts

Then I sewed away the inner thigh material and cut off the excess so it was like a skirt.

Sewing away the inner thigh material

Shiny purple skirt

Next, I cut a large slit just underneath the elastic waistline on each side, leaving half of the elastic connected on both sides.

Cutting under the elastic waistline

Then I folded it flat so that the 2 cut parts were on the sides. These were becoming new shoulder straps.

Slit shoulder straps

I sewed the piece straight down the sides, then I laid the piece flat and cut off the excess material I had sewn. I kept those 2 side panels for later.

Cut off the sides

I measured and sewed the new shoulder straps to adjust for length, cutting off the excess. Then I fake-serged around all the edges to keep them from fraying.

Sewing the shoulder straps

I took in the sides to give it a little more shape, but not too much to be clingy. Then I folded and sewed a new hem for the underarms on each side. I also darted both sides just under to bust to give it more shape.

Side darts under the bust

It's time to make some flowers. First I grabbed those 2 side panels I had cut off and cut out multiple circles in descending size (no need to be perfect with this).

Shiny circles

Then I took the circles and cut wavy edges (again, no need to be perfect).

Wavy edges

I stacked the wavy shapes on top of each other from largest to smallest, setting aside the smallest shape.

Stacked wavy shapes

I hand-sewed a small "X" pattern in the center of the stack of shapes, pulling tightly so it would bunch up.

Hand-sewing the flower

Then I took the smallest shape, folded it in half twice, and sewed it into the center of the bunched flower. 

Bunched wavy flower

I found a great tutorial for a felt scarf with these kind of flowers on Pinterest. I made 2 of them.

Two wavy flowers

I pinned the flowers at the base of the upper right strap. Then I sewed them on carefully so they wouldn't lose their waviness.

Wavy flowers pinned and sewn

Finally, my new blouse was complete! 

Here again is how it looked before the transformation: 

Before: Big shiny purple shorts

And here's my new blouse!

After: Shiny purple blouse

After: From behind

I like the way the elastic waistband lent itself to a nice wide neckline. And I love the bit of fair the shoulder flowers add to it.

It's very light and comfortable, and when I pair it with a flowy cover, I feel very therapist-y in it; perfect for my job!

After: Covered all therapist-like

I hope you like how this one turned out as much as I did! Let me know what you think in the comments section below! I'm looking forward to working on my next project soon :)

And my thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the bombing at the Boston Marathon. Peace be with us all.

Until next time, blessings.