Dad’s Day

Happy Belated Father’s Day to the dads out there!  If you are a Dad, I hope you know how valued and important you are.  We are rich in fathers in this household.  My husband is a wonderful father.  He is the one who gets down and dirty on the floor and wrestles with the kids.  He is also the one who is much better at teaching our kids how to ride a bicycle (my daughter loves to remind me whenever I take her out for a bike ride).  He has a master gift with finding the best route to get somewhere on a road trip (I never owned a map until I met him) and when I am completely fried he steps in and corrals the wild small people. We are also blessed to live near my father in law, who is a wonderful Dad and ‘Pop’ as we call him.  He is always up for babysitting with Grammy and has endless energy for the kids. He also sings ‘old fashioned’ songs and the kids love it.  Last is my father, whom I have discovered, I am very much like.  This man is gifted at antiquing and working with his hands.  He is the same one that used to drive the car that my brother and I used to slink down in the back seat, afraid that someone would see us, as he stopped to look at something cool in someones trash.  I have become that trash picker (fortunately, right now, my kids think its cool). He lives far away but is always a phone call away whenever I need him (which can sometimes be a lot).

Since dad’s day just happened I figured that my husband needed some handmade love.  I made him a pair of lounge shorts a few years ago, and he has been asking for another pair ever since.  This dad often gets neglected in the handmade department so I thought he was due.

Old pair of shorts.

Above are the old shorts I made him.  The fabric is Kaufman Essex Linen Blend Yarn Dyed in the color olive.  I used the selvedge as the drawstring and elasticized just the back of the shorts.  I made the pattern myself by loosely tracing another pair of shorts but making this pair wider and more casual.  I also sewed cargo pockets on the sides.  Although he loves these and wears them all the time, for his next pair he requested regular pockets.  I loved how the Essex linen blend softened up after a few washes so I made him a new pair with the same fabric in the color black.

Front.

Side.

Front drawstring.

Front with long drawstring.

Please excuse the wrinkles.  Laundry gets done around here, but folding doesn’t seem to happen in a timely manner.  Damn that housekeeper!  🙂

For these shorts, I also made a back elasticized waist and drawstring front.  I think they fit him great and if he plays his cards right he might just get another pair.  I love how these came out and I think he does too because he’s been wearing them around town.  These shorts are in the que of pattern ideas I would like to make for the general public (you guys).  Someday soon!