Thursday 10 January 2013

It's difficult being tall...

 ... according to my 16 year old son! At 6'5" even finding basic summer pyjama shorts (or boxers as they are often called) that are long enough is a challenge. Whilst short (short, short) shorts where very 'in' in the 80's...
... for which Warwick Capper worked with all his might! And Paul Hogan made famous...
... the once considered 'uniform' of the Aussie bloke, thankfully the 'look' has been put to bed. 
But my stretch-of-a-son still needs some longer length PJ shorts, used both for the obvious, but also to bum lounge around in during the holidays. He has nearly worn out the ones I whipped up when I joined in with Peter and his MPG Men's Boxer short sewalong.
So a trip to the shops, unaccompanied by Stretch himself, and with my half-hearted promise of a new pair a week (did I really promise that???), has the first pair ready to wear.
Fabric is a quilting cotton in what the sales girl and I decided was fairly male appropriate. Mind you, she was a little bemused that I was making clothing for my son - guess she just slipped off the possible girlfriend list!
Interestingly, the pattern was inspired by a quilt from the International Quilt Study Centre and Museum at the University of Nebraska! 
Anyway, first pair made up, extra long, ready to go.

Now, back to finishing off my skirt...

Now not being a quilter myself, I must ask, 'Is there always such interesting information on the selvedge of quilting fabric???'

22 comments:

  1. I always thought that writing on a selvedge was a way of justifying a higher cost.

    Could be wrong..... ;-)

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  2. What a nice mom... Know stretching son will apprecaite them..[eeeh Mama.. a pair a week, you will be busy,lol]
    They look great.
    I buy alot of quilting cotton ,since I sew for 4 grandaughters, and I just love quilting cottons.. Anyway, they do carry alot of info on the selvage..and almost all of them do..

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  3. Well done on the shorts, and an excellent choice of fabric. Quilting fabric does often have info on the selvage but that is a little more than I have ever seen.
    I love the photo of the Queen - Her Maj has quite a merry grin as she eyes off Hoges' knees!

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  4. Oh but those short shorts do make watching aerial ping pong much better :) Great boxers and I take my hat off to you for making 1 pair a week, I hope you put a time limit on that eg 2 months worth! The selvedge on quilting cotton is great isn't it and that is why Jodie from Rick Rac made this selvedge edge dress http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com.au/2008/10/big-selvedge-project.html

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  5. I have no clue about the info on quilting fabric, I haven't done more than repairs in probably 20 years and I've never quilted.

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  6. I'm not a quilter, but I use quilting cotton often for summer skirts and the answer is yes. Very interesting and useful information on the selvedge. Why would the girl think it was weird you were sewing for your son? Makes no sense at all. g

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  7. It's good that he has a mother that sews!

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  8. Yes! I love the little color circles myself. And nice shorts!

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  9. Yes Judith, there is on the better quality stuff. Usually there is the maker, the range and a little circle of all the colours that appear in the piece. Pretty cool, hey? Your son's boxers are perfect for him. I make boxers for my 2 grandsons (early teens) but I make theirs from PJ satin. Bit of a treat for them as DD won't pay the $$ to buy them. I just can't seem to keep the momentum going over the long term as they are always requesting more!

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  10. A pair a week! Noble mother award for sure. Certain blokes at my house have been hinting that they would like a few more pairs for this hot weather but I am selectively deaf;)
    The fabric looks just right. Lucky son!

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  11. What a kind mom you are! A pair a week! For how many weeks?
    Yes, designer quilting cotton has a lot of info on the selvedge. Some people save the selvedges and make stuff out of them!

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  12. Great boxers for your son! They look very smart on him.

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  13. My hubby's been at me to make him a pair of boxer shorts too... might just have to do it for him. Have fun sewing your skirt :)

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  14. Very nice, mom! Those look great. It must be hard to be super tall and thin. Isn't most super tall clothing for men also made for more girth?

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  15. I wish all fabrics had printed information on the selvedge! Wouldn't that make fabric identification so much easier?

    The stretch boxers are excellent. Lucky guy - he might come to depend on you for more and more stretch clothing!

    The last time I made boxers for my son, I chose an "outhouse" print quilting cotton. The lady who cut my fabric mentioned she'd just made her son boxers from the same fabric. Funny coincidence.

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  16. Welcome to the boxer club - I am now going to be a lifelong member having recently made Mike 6 pairs over Christmas - however I am sure he will really appreciate them. You are a good mum

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  17. The reality of seeing that Warwick Capper picture has destroyed my fond, but foggy memories of those little shorts on him. I was obviously far less discerning when I was younger - eek that mullet!! I think making underwear is so much better than buying it. I've been experimenting with some close-fitting stretch boxers for my 9 year old. They are so cute on a little boy :)

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  18. What a super print on the fabric, shame he'll be wearing them under trousers instead of showing off your beautiful sewing! I've got a tall one too - 6.3" and still only 15.

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  19. Nice shorts. I like the boxer style, not a fan of the short-shorts. I can assure you I have the absolute opposite problem as your son. I am 5'3" on a good day when somebody is yelling at me to stand up straight.

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  20. Lol when I started reading, I though.. That's the post for me.. I'm tall and everything that is supposedly short is way too short lol... Great boxer style shorts...

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  21. I like any post that has Capper as the first photo.

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  22. This phrase conveys the challenges and unique experiences that come with being exceptionally tall. Why Lagging Game It may involve issues like finding comfortable seating, fitting into spaces, or standing out in a crowd.

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