I am in a couple of Facebook groups run by pattern designers. One of them is for George and Ginger patterns. I often find styles there that work well for my daughters. Recently they were testing the Heat Wave shorts pattern to improve the draft before re-release, and I put my hand up to give it a go in the smallest teen size for Stella.

These shorts are designed to be sewn in knit fabrics. I had a length of Liverpool knit that came to me via Restash, but I think was originally from Lush Fabrics and came to the original owner via a Frocktails goodie bag! I’m glad that it eventually made it’s way to me.

This fabric has a nice crepe type of texture, and is a nice mid-weight. It’s also very stretchy. As per the pattern page for the Heat Wave Hot Pants, the most popular types of fabrics for these shorties are 2-way heavyweight knit with structure, such as ponte, Liverpool and cotton lycra. However, any knit fabric with at least 50% stretch will work.

The shorts rely on the fabric stretch for fitting. There are darts in the front and back for shaping, and optional pockets in the front. There are two options for the waistband width. They pull on – there are no fastenings or even elastic. Fabric choice is vital to make these work! Many of the testers had some issues with pocket gaping, but we didn’t consider it to be problematic considering the nature of the garment – a knit, pull-on short.

There was enough fabric left over to sew a simple top. I already had the Pattern Emporium Unwind top printed and taped in Stella’s size, so cut and sewed it up in the cut on short sleeved version. You can probably guess how fast this top was to make! All construction was on the overlocker, with the sewing machine used for hems and to secure the neckband seam allowances.

I think that we’re still unsure as to whether this is a summer outfit or a pair of summer pyjamas! Either way, both pieces are comfortable and easy to wear either together or mixed with other wardrobe items (no matter what time of day).