10.05.2009

fading summer: yellow linen pants

I've been wanting to make these for a while but could never find the right yellow color at Joanns. So before leaving the LA area I made one last trip to the Fabric District and stocked up at my favorite linen shop (Carmel Fabrics: 432 E. 9th street, #1). The cute old shop-owner has beautiful linen in every color. I mean, you could go crazy there. And he only charges about $7/yard.
Remember this dress? I thought the original shirt was great because:
A. it would it make a cute breezy shirt dress - which btw, will likely be for sale down the road since Lucy never got around to wearing it (except for the photoshoot that is).
B. there were TWO pockets on the front of the shirt, which would be perfect on linen cargo pants.

So as the summer fades, new pants emerge.
And Owen seems pretty happy about it.
You can make these pants using the Knee Pad Pants Tutorial but instead of sewing on knee pads, just add pockets.
Two Notes:
* You have to sew the pieces together in a slightly different order, however, so that the pockets are sewn-on to the side before sewing the pant legs shut.
* I often wash and dry linen multiple times before cutting and sewing. I find that it shrinks a bit the first few washes and continues to get softer with each wash/dry.
Summer may be gone but a little yellow cheer is always welcome.

41 comments:

lyndsey said...

dang that kid is cute. and i love how you put the joon bug tag across the butt :)

sparklepetal said...

What a lovely colour linen! Actually I had my kitchen cupboards painted that exact colour, warm, sunny and laid-back!

Amanda said...

Your little one is adorable and so are the pants..I will have to make a stop by that shop when I go back home to CA...

Becky said...

those are too cute. Little linen shorts -- it's like he's a mini-man-of-leisure.

LB3K said...

You ALMOST make me wish I had a little man around the house. . . ALMOST. ;0)

KID, MD said...

Fortunately, since you are a Texan now, you can look forward to at least one more month of summer. Don't let the current unseasonably pleasant streak fool you - the hot isn't completely gone yet. Owen will love those pants!

Mandaleighta said...

So cute! I love dressing my little man in linen too :)

Rachel • cREaTe said...

those are SO CUTE! and it looks awesome with that light blue button down!!!! he's sooo handsome!

Deborah said...

I am desperately in love with linen! The few fabrics that I've been unable to save from the flooding were my bolts of linen that couldn't be laundered. Looks like I'll have an excuse to stock back up--thank goodness for flood insurance!

Fantastic color, by the way. That buttery shade always makes me think of the golden light just before sunset. And eggs.

Eva said...

Fantastic! I love dressing little boys.

April said...

It's so nice to see another post from you. At least you have a while b4 it really cools off to make some more fall clothes. I live in New Mexico, so you're just right there. How creative you are to use the pockets from that shirt!! Cute stuff

mama turtle said...

Very very Very nice! I just got done doing a round of pants out of necessity. My toddler is long and SKINNY, nothing fits him. SO after 5 new pair from recycled jeans, and sweats, I am excited to see others making cute pants too! I'll try to get a few pics of mine on the blog:
tisforturtle.blogspot.com

Kelley

traci said...

Perfect color of yellow. Reds are hard too - not to orange, not too Christmasy. Anyway, what do you think he will put in those pockets. They look like treasure carrying pockets. Very cute Dana.

Kristin Rasmussen said...

perfect shade of yellow.

julie said...

These are great! It looks like the little one really likes them, too.

Nancy said...

I'm checking out that fabric store in LA sometime soon. I'm also tempted to go to Mood now that Project Runway is here in LA. I can't wait to make a pair. Your pics of Owen reinforce that I there is a way to dress a boy in cute clothes without havint to settle for big box retail.

Katie B. said...

These are PRECIOUS!

Anna said...

So cute! You do such nice work. I'm having my first giveaway if you're interested:
http://noodleheads.blogspot.com/2009/10/giveaway.html

Antoinette said...

Everything you make is like sunshine, my dear. Great little pants for the little man. :)

Ashley said...

He is so handsome ;)

wherespooki said...

they are the cutest pants ever! and the cutest little man ...

Erin said...

those linen pants are just too cute. i'm loving the pockets!

Sara said...

I LOVE that your little blondie is an Owen also. He reminds me so much of mine!
I adore everything you do. Thanks for being confident enough in your abilities, that you are willing to share all your talent with us.
Sara
inmyapronpocket.blogspot.com

Whitney said...

OMG those are soooo cute!!!! I totally know what I am making my two cutie nephews for Christmas. (they live in the SoCal... so... just about warm enough year round for linen pants... )

And your little man is soo cute! Wish my little guy was still "little". (he's now 5yo)

Once again you inspire me. :) And THANK YOU SOOO much for taking the time to put up these great tutorials. It's seriously so nice of you to take the time to do this for all us who admire your work. You are a rockstar!

Jacque said...

hi dana! my name is jacque, and i just found your blog. can i just say that you are AMAZING! i've been looking at like every post, and i can't get enough! you are so creative and talented!

i'm new to sewing (mostly do baby blankets and burp cloths), but you're inspiring me to try more!

i have a little guy (10 mos.) and a 3 yr old boy, so i've got to try some of your adorable boy clothes!

question for you -- how did you get the joon bug tags that you sew into your clothes? did you order them somewhere?

oh, and i love austin! i served a mission there (and in san antonio) and loved it. have you eaten at kerbey lane cafe? it's such great food!

anyway, thanks again! so glad i found your blog!

The Ninja Knitter said...

Linen! Great fabric for little ones. Lighweight, durable and it looks good for ages. Love the pants!

Nicole said...

What a little stud! Oh yeah, the pants are great too! =)

Julia Ruddell said...

Yay, boys clothes!!! I have been making skirts for all my little girlfriends. My husband scratches his head because we have two boys. Thanks for giving some great ideas. My guys will love this!

h. said...

Hi Dana! Im so thrilled I´ve found your blog! Your making incredible lovely clothing..I´m looking forward following your life In Texas. / Hanna

Karin said...

Awww, that last picture especially is adorable. What a handsome little boy you have there. He looks great in those cute trousers!

tanner25 said...

I need to learn how to sew.....you are too creative.

Sarah said...

those are so cute. i think I am going to have try some for my youngest, his birthday is on Saturday. They would be super cute on him!!

Shimmy Shake said...

Linen is so hard to find here - but I love working with it. The yellow is lovely - well done. Great to see some boy clothes!

pink mama bird said...

freakin' adorable, that little man!!! and those pants! LOVE THEM! : )

Me said...

cute cute cute

Miss Scotty said...

I like it very much!

Scotty from Hungary

Nell said...

Your kiddo has to be the most stylish in your entire area!!!

Nell

Catarina said...

Hi Dana,

My name is Catarina, I'm from Portugal, Europe.
I've just used your awesome tutorial to make a denim shorts for my 4 year-old prince.

Thanks a lot for the tutorial.

My blog is:http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-knee-pad-pants.html

(sorry it's in Portuguese, still trying to make one in english).

my e-mail address is: asminhascosturas@gmail.com

bye.I love your tutorials!

Piia said...

Great blog you have and adorable kids clothes! And the little boy is the cutest one ever. :) Too bad it's too cold up here in Iceland for those linen pants, maybe for next summer again :) - Piia (www.psrecycled.com/blog)

lanakae said...

I love coming to this site. You have so many cute and creative ideas!

Dana, I have passed on the Blog De Oro award to your blog. You can check out the post on my blog: http://lanalulucreations.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-first-blog-award.html. To accept the award, just copy the image, paste it in a blog post, and select the 10 blogs you think should receive it next. Thanks for your inspiration! Keep it up!

Casey said...

those pants are aweosme! I want some for my son