Crochet is hotter than ever. When thinking of crochet shorts, do you roll your eyes? Usually it is a huge fashion faux pas. Miss Selfridge changes that with their midwash crochet short. Fashion blogs across the internet are calling these a must have for spring. But they are pricey. At $57 U.S. dollars, you can have several shorts with a similar look if you do it yourself.
Same look, better price
Take an old pair of jeans, or you can use denim shorts. Cut the jeans into shorts and pull out a strand or two to make a short fringe. Trim the fringe so it is even and very short. Run a row of stitches around each leg, about 1/8 of an inch above the fringe. This will prevent the shorts from unraveling too far.
For denim shorts, if they have a finished leg edge--cut it off. Make a short fringe. Then run a row of stitches about 1/8 of an inch above the fringe.
Purchase a triangular crochet lace panel. Craft stores carry them or you can look for vintage ones on Etsy.com. If you are know how, you can crochet your own lace panel.
Stitch the panel so that one point of the triangle matches the side seam of the shorts. Align the other two points with the leg opening of the shorts. Pin the lace panel in place. Trim the side of the short to match the curve of the crochet lace. Leave some denim fringe showing and stitch around the outline of the lace to secure it.
You can use a sewing machine for this project which will make it go faster, or you can use cotton thread, a sewing needle and stitch everything by hand using a backstitch. Either way, you will have high fashion shorts for just a fraction of the cost of the Miss Selfridge shorts. The entire project should not take more than a day, even if you hand sew.
Finding the right look
You may not be able to find the exact type of crochet lace found on the Moss Selfridge shorts. If you have difficulty locating triangle shaped lace panels, look for square doilies to cut up. Another option is to ask for a custom order on Esty.com. Choose a vendor who does their own crochet lace and who has work you admire.
If you use jeans or shorts that you already own and just add store-bought panels, your total outlay, including needle and thread, should be under $10. Expect to pay a little more for custom ordered or vintage crochet lace. Creating your own crochet lace will be less expensive if you already have white crochet thread at home.
Lynda Altman has been interested in needle work and crafts since she was a child. She learned to crochet and embroider before she reached high school. Crochet, beading and sewing are some of her favorite needle work pastimes. You can contact Lynda via email or @fusgeyer on Twitter.
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