Sew-a-bration of Womanhood (Maritime Shorts and Scout Tee)

I'm honored to be a part of the Sew-a-bration of Womanhood sewing series by the Shaffer Sisters and Call Ajaire.  I follow many of the blogs by the ladies that are participating and am inspired by them daily.  I've even discovered several new blogs to add to the reading list!

For my post, I went in circles on what I would sew up.  One thing I knew for sure ~ it had to include floral.  I'm obsessed with floral prints and have been stockpiling them since winter.  I planned on some floral pants (how awesome but possibly bad would that be?); however, with summer quickly upon us, I realized I was severely lacking in shorts.  Yay!  A chance to try out a pattern I was eyeing - the Grainline Maritime Shorts.

I'm so happy with these shorts!  Anyone else have the most difficult time shopping for shorts?  I dread it - they're either too short in length, not right in the rear, or just boring.  When I find a pair that works I usually buy three.  

I measured a size 10 that surprisingly fit!  I was sure I'd need to grade out to a bigger size from the waist.  I have a lot of extra in my rear and legs which is part of why I have trouble finding the perfect pair.  I only made one change to the pattern after making a muslin - that was to change the pocket piece and pocket lining into one pattern piece.  I couldn't get the pocket to keep from bunching the way it was supposed to be sewn, so that solved the issue.  

Sorry for the rear shot, but you gotta see all the angles!  The floral print (cotton sateen from JoAnn Fabrics) is a little busy and kinda hides the interesting back pockets that I think are perfectly placed.  

The most difficult part of sewing these shorts was not the functioning fly as I expected.  That was cake compared to sewing the simple waistband on.  It takes forever to wrap my head around which sides of the pattern pieces should face up and where the right and left goes.  Every time I sew one.  Practice should make perfect though, right?  I plan on making a few more in some neon twill.

And when thinking of what to pair with the floral shorts, I immediately remembered all the stripe and floral looks I've been seeing lately.  But I'm more of a polka dot person so I went with that and made a Grainline Scout Tee.  

I wish I had tried this pattern sooner!!!  I have a large collection of woven fabrics that I'd love to turn into tops, but I can never decide on a pattern to use.  This top was super simple to sew.  And sometimes you just need to sew something that's not gonna give you too much trouble.  (Seriously, any beginners out there should give it a go.)

I hope I've inspired you to go sew something for yourself!  It can be easier than you think if you pick the right pattern (as in something without a lot of large fabric pieces to wrangle), and so satisfying for the soul.  Check out the other awesome women participating in the series below.

The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter | Serger Pepper | House of Estrela | sewVery | Our Busy Little Bunch

Modern Handmade | Golden Rippy | Sew & Tell with Mama Eggo | Shawnta Sews | Fishsticks Designs
Ali Cat & Co | Paisley Roots | Like a mother | Giggles & Beans | Call Ajaire
Shaffer Sisters | I Married Superman | A Jennuine Life | If Only They Would Nap | Once Upon a Sewing Machine

Naptime Creations | Pattern Revolution | Two Many | Rebel & Malice | Simple Simon and Company

SewingSober | Handmade Dress Haven | Daisy Chain Creations | Swoodson Says | I'm Feelin' Crafty So Cal Sewing Mom | Keep Calm and Carrion | DandelionDrift | The Crazy Tailor | Max California 

Falafel and the Bee | Lexi Made | Winter Wonderings | Kid Approved | Scientific Seamstress
Becca DuVal | Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop | The Berry Bunch | Little Kids Grow | leighlee
Feathers Flights | That's-Sew-Kari