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City Gym Shorts -- Free Pattern Summer!

Love the free City Gym Shorts for All Ages sewing pattern from The Purl Bee! | The Inspired Wren

Summer is in full swing here: bumblebees, ice pops, swim lessons, and heat. Bring on the City Gym Shorts free sewing pattern from The Purl Pee!

Love the free City Gym Shorts for All Ages sewing pattern from The Purl Bee! | The Inspired Wren

These shorts are officially $0/Free shorts! Forty-ounce denim left over from a button down blouse coupled with bias binding made from a random fat-quarter in my stash, plus a free pattern. That's what I'm talking about. 

I was going to draft a simple knit tank top to pair with the shorts; exercise my drafting skills, and maybe create a new, simple tutorial. But ...well, it's Summer. And there's no school. I'm giving myself grace to complete one item (note: one item, not outfit) and one post per week; I'll sneak them in between swim lessons, free concerts, story hours, and afternoons lazing at the pool. Luckily this Gap top from last Summer matches and fits.

Love the free City Gym Shorts for All Ages sewing pattern from The Purl Bee! | The Inspired Wren


I love the retro look of the gym shorts. I love even more the ease of wear -- perfect for self-dressing and for staying cool while playing hard. I sewed up a size 4-5 without alteration to the fit except for the length of waist elastic. The width of the shorts is a little roomy but the length is a smidgen short. Someone remind me next summer to keep the width but add some length. As always.


An exposed seam marks the back of these City Gym Shorts so there's no need to sew in a tag -- a happy accident. | The Inspired Wren


That exposed seam? Oh, it's completely deliberate. *shakes head no* You thought maybe it's related to The Peanut's twenty questions per minute average all day, including while I attempt to sew? Of course not. In fact, it marks the back instead of a tag. I left the tag off and expose a seam. It's completely planned and efficient. Obviously. And I may actually do it on purpose next time. 

I made one change as I sewed. After I attached the waistband, I trimmed back some of the layers that would have been encased in the waistband fold-over. I felt they weren't necessary and worried the denim would get too bulky at the waist. Other than that, this is another popular-for-good-reason free pattern. I'm glad I've added it to my arsenal. 

Love the free City Gym Shorts for All Ages sewing pattern from The Purl Bee! | The Inspired Wren

Pattern

City Gym Shorts for All Ages from The Purl Bee, size 4-5

Fabric

40-ounce dark wash denim, Joann's Fabric; Fat Quarter from stash

Note

I think everyone would benefit from trimming those extra layers out of the waistband -- reduce bulk and keep cool. 

Love

The contrast trim on the dark denim, especially the tiny flowers that disappear from a distance but are a flirty detail up close. I'm already dreaming up other fabric combinations I want to try -- add them to the never-ending, someday project list.
Love the free City Gym Shorts for All Ages sewing pattern from The Purl Bee! | The Inspired Wren



Ren Murphy writes for The Inspired Wren.

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