03 Jun Scalloped Edge Shorts
I learned something on this project that you may already know; scalloped hems look best on solids and pinstripes.
Having said that here’s my latest…..
Lots of lessons in the post actually. When patterns go on sale I often buy them in a hurry, as I did with this Simplicity pattern.
Glancing over the photo I assumed View C was a scalloped hem variation. Would you? It’s not – rather a variation which simply shows a lace overlay.
The good news is Craftsy offers a free scalloped hem tutorial by Beth Galvin from Sunny Gal Studio which is adaptable to any pattern. If you’ve wondered what the secret was in sewing a scalloped hem, Beth breaks it down nicely.
I did not bring all of my sewing tools along to the beach and made do with whatever worked. Adding a scallop is much easier than I expected. Below is my experience but I encourage you to follow Beth’s tutorial.
I made a template.
After placing and cutting the scallop template on the fabric, the straight edge was turned in 1/4″ to the wrong side of the fabric.
Once the scallop was measured to the width of the pant leg, I stitched the ends of the scallop together. Next, the scallop was placed along the bottom edge of the pant leg.
I stitched around the scallops and pivoted at the points. How I wish I had used a thread with a little contrast!
Finally, the seam was trimmed, turned and hemmed.
The shorts are sewn in a home dec fabric from the Aubergine Home Collections Outlet on Johns Island, SC. While the fabric is not transparent, I lined the shorts to prevent stretching from the looser weave of the fabric, and to place a softer fabric against my skin.
I also shortened the height of the waistband so the proportions would work for tucking in t-shirts etc…
I’m delighted to see scalloped hems back on the fashion scene! I’m determined to perfect this technique for adding a little polish to casual garments, and hope for a next time with my sewing tools in hand and a fabric that showcases this lovely edge 😉
Best wishes for a terrific weekend!
Shirt – Sewaholic Granville Shirt – blogged here
Shoes – Charleston Shoe Company – more here
Nova
Posted at 06:46h, 03 JuneEven if the scallops are not as apparent as you may have wished, wearing pearls to the beach is a hint that there may be something special going on! A somewhat discrete fancy look, if you will. I do think that the scallops and the lining are a lovely touch to an otherwise often utilitarian piece of clothing. You look very pretty in your new outfit.
And if I may, at what time do you awaken? You seem to have posted this at a very early hour. Is this your secret to a high yield of garments?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:01h, 03 JuneLOL – Everyday at the beach is special! I take Nina Garcia’s advice to have fun with your pearls and wear them with casual clothes 🙂
I am an early riser but often I program my blog to post at a certain time. As far as high yield of garments my productivity comes and goes 😉 I cannot stop a project until it is completed so I do become very focused when I sew.
Many thanks for the comment, Nova!
Eileen o
Posted at 06:49h, 03 JuneLove those cute shorts and your tutorial! Such a sensible way to lose weight….
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:02h, 03 JuneThank you, Eileen! I’d love to study privately with Beth one day 😉
Cindy Symes
Posted at 07:03h, 03 JuneI love how you bought a pattern that CLEARLY looks like a scallop edge, and when it wasn’t, just found a way to make it so!! I love using what you’ve got to hand to make a template! Great save! It looks lovely in the decor fabric and I love that Granville shirt with the sleeves! The whole outifit looks very polished, but casual. I bet that skort would look really cute too!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:06h, 03 JuneHi Cindy! One of these days I’m going to make that skort – I never seem to have enough fabric……. Erica B make a fabulous skort from this pattern. Thank you so much for your nice comment 🙂 🙂
Doreen
Posted at 07:58h, 03 JuneYour tutorial is excellent and a uber cute finish idea for any edge……even a quilt!!!!!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:05h, 03 JuneThanks to Beth Galvin, Doreen!!
Margo Bergman
Posted at 08:00h, 03 JuneWhat great timing your shorts are for me! I just pulled out M6930 to make scalloped shorts! I have a navy twill with little white sailboats for mine so I was so happy to see yours in a print. They look great Sarah! If I have trouble with mine, I’ll be looking up Beth’s tutorial.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:04h, 03 JuneNot only should I have bought M6930, but I’m going to buy M6930 🙂 🙂 Can’t wait to see your shorts, Margo!
Becky Thompson
Posted at 08:37h, 03 JuneVery cute! I like them. No, I didn’t know it looks best on solids and pins. 😉 The biggest trend here in Texas is the wide lace on the hems of shorts and tops (I know, we’re behind the times in the middle of the US). I see the look in stores and can’t believe how much they charge. Now I want to see the scallop in M6930. 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:19h, 03 JuneMany thanks, Becky! I’m sure small prints would work nicely too, I’ve seen the wide-lace hems on shorts and tops and agree with your about the cost. Can’t wait to try the McCalls 🙂 🙂
Aileen Scott
Posted at 08:50h, 03 JuneLove your scallops! Now I’m reminded of your re-make with the black linen Talbots dress….wouldn’t a simple scallop hem totally transform some of our dated treasures hidden back in the closet??!! I’m inspired!!!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:15h, 03 JuneThank you, Aileen! Indeed, a scallop hem should work wonders on our dated treasures – We’re on the same wavelength 😉
Karen G
Posted at 09:33h, 03 JuneAm I understanding correctly that the scallop section is a separate facing sewn to the shorts bottom?
I think your shorts are so cute. Please keep the great ideas coming.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:15h, 03 JuneThank you, Karen and you are correct! The scalloped facing is sewn to the right side of the short – turned and hemmed 🙂
Linda (ACraftyScrivener)
Posted at 09:36h, 03 JuneI guess in a solid or pinstripe the scallops would show up more, but your outfit is gorgeous, and if you see someone looking too closely at you scallops you can ask if they are a sewist 🤣
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:16h, 03 JuneMany thanks, Karen! Great advice 🙂
Anne Rhodes
Posted at 09:40h, 03 JuneVery helpful. Thank you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:17h, 03 JuneMy pleasure 🙂
Cissie Wellons
Posted at 09:45h, 03 JuneSuch cute shorts! And I love the pearls on the beach. Reminds me of my boarding school days when we wore our pearls with everything! Even nightgowns! I’ve almost given up trying to sew at the beach because I never have the essentials I need.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:19h, 03 JuneThank you, Cissie! I love Nina Garcia’s advice to have fun with your pearls 😉 I don’t always get to sew at the beach but this has been a great trip to do so.
LInda Galante
Posted at 10:02h, 03 JuneWhat a great way to make shorts special! I’m inspired to add scallops to a skirt too! Thanks for the tutorial . BTW, I would have thought that short pattern had scallops from the cover photo too, LOL!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:25h, 03 JuneAh…… I’m glad it wasn’t just me! Many thanks for your comment Linda – a scalloped skirt would be adorable!
MaryEllen
Posted at 10:22h, 03 JuneAnother great make Sarah ! The scallops are such a nice add to these shorts & anything . Thanks for the tutorial info. Like you Beth at Sunny Gal Sewing is a wealth of tips .
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:26h, 03 JuneThank you, Maryellen! Beth’s posts are always helpful to me 🙂
Beth (SunnyGal Studio)
Posted at 11:28h, 03 JuneHi Sarah – super cute shorts and I’m so happy that you found the tutorial useful. I often wonder if anyone reads those 🙂 Scallop edges say summer to me as well and on the right item are so nice. Enjoy the weekend!
Angela
Posted at 14:03h, 03 JuneBeth, I LOVE your tutorials and blog!!! Time spent studying with you would be wonderful – but alas, not to happen anytime soon.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:29h, 03 JuneI agree with you Angela! Beth and I live on opposite sides of the country ~ maybe Skype of Facebook one day 😉
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:28h, 03 JuneBeth ~ Your tutorial came up first on Google, and I was tickled to see you name at the bottom of the tutorial 🙂 It’s very helpful indeed. Many thanks!
Sharon kane
Posted at 15:59h, 03 JuneLove your shorts! I ran right out today to purchase pattern, Anyways, I really appreciate how you conquer sewing obstacles, it provides me with the confidence to find a solution to make it work. Thanks for sharing the link which I printed out and added to my notebook of great sewing tips.
Sharon
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:33h, 03 JuneThank you, Sharon! There’s a l m o s t always an answer to sewing dilemmas and this wasn’t too difficult to solve 😉 Good luck with the pattern!
Tomasa
Posted at 17:29h, 03 JuneThese sorts are so cute and the scalloped edges make them fun as well.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:34h, 03 JuneMany thanks, Tomasa! I feel a wave of scalloped hem clothing coming on……….
Lone Star Couture
Posted at 21:28h, 03 JuneUh, yeah, I would have made the same assumption that view of those shorts had a scalloped hem. Good for you for persevering. Cute shorts. Super cute Granville, too. Have to laugh at Cissie re: the pearls and p.j.s. I can see her as a boarding school girl. Too cute!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:18h, 04 JuneThank you, Dorcas – but I’m glad there was a silver lining 😉 Cissie know how to make people laugh for sure 🙂 🙂 Can’t wait for you to meet her one of these days!
Jennifer Shaw
Posted at 13:19h, 04 JuneThese shorts are simple, sleek and oh so chic! With the scalloped edge and your fabric choice, your shorts are fantastic!! Thank you for the inspiration. I don’t wear shorts anymore, because they really are not flattering to my very pear shaped body. I sure wish that I could at times, when it is hot.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 14:42h, 04 JuneMany thanks for your comment, Jennifer! The scallop edge really can dress up a garment and I look forward to trying the technique again 🙂
Linda LaMona
Posted at 20:49h, 06 JuneI have wanted to make a similar pair of shorts. Thanks for the reference to Beth’s tutorial! Your shorts look great and I so love the view of the beach.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:06h, 08 JuneThank you so much, Linda! Currently I’m working on McCall 6930, thanks to Margo Bergman. This pattern has the built in scallop edge which is much easier than coming up with my own 😉