So, I’ve sewn the last remaining view of the Closet Core Pietra which I hadn’t yet tried out – it’s view C, the shorts version.

I’ve also sewn a bit of a vacation Closet Core extravaganza actually!! I made a bunch of new things when I got overexcited about finally going on a BIG TRIP again – so perhaps I should have called this blog post the Closet Core vacation wardrobe edition. So down below, I also have a pair of Pietra Pants and new Charlie Caftan in this post as an added bonus.

But let’s start with the Pietra shorts!

I’ve written elsewhere about how shorts are kind of a challenge for me and it’s not necessarily a garment I tend to reach for. But over the course of the last few years, I’ve added a few pairs to my wardrobe. And I am trying to become more comfortable wearing them!

I’m a big fan of the Closet Core Pietra Pants – both the wide-legged and tapered leg view. But each time I posted about them online, I would always have someone tell me how the shorts view is also great.

And I had no reason not to believe them – every shorts version I have seen looks fab!

So I decided to finally do it!

My Pietra Shorts are a size 16. As the leg shape of the shorts is completely different from the versions I already had, I had to reprint it. In my pants version of Pietra, I had graded from a size 14 at the waist to a 16 at the hips. For this version, I was partly feeling lazy and partly thinking that I don’t mind a bit of extra room to help me feel comfortable, so I actually cut this out as a straight size 16.

And I find this fine for me.

For my version, I added one inch length to the inseam, after measuring the inseam length of a pair of shorts which I wear most often. For the shorts view of the Pietra Pants, the only lengthen/shorten here line marked on the pattern pieces was at the rise.

But I absolutely did not want to mess with the rise, since I find the Pietra rise to be just about perfection.

So I just added the necessary additional length at the hem.

I’m not going to talk much about the construction as I’ve already talked a lot about how I like to sew the Pietra Pants/Shorts and there was nothing special or unusual about constucting the shorts view. My previous dives into the Pietra Pants pattern can be found here, here, here and here.

My version of the Pietra Shorts hasn’t disappointed me and I fully agree with all those people who told me that they loved their Pietra Shorts and that it was a view worth making!

And the gorgeous fabric here is a linen deadstock from Zyga.fr

Plus it kind of feels good to have now sewn every variation of the pattern. It’s as though I’ve won the trifecta! I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth on this pattern!

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And here are the Pietra Shorts doing their thing on vacation in Mexico!

Belting up

I did want to mention my little addition of belt loops and a fabric belt, of which I was rather proud. I was inspired to do this by a fabric belt which came with a pair of Sezane RTW shorts I own.

The belt buckle is something that I picked up at a random thrift store in the countryside of Bretagne about three years ago. I found a big bucket of belt buckles in a shed and purchased a handful of them. It’s so nice to finally have one that’s just the right size and colour to use.

In terms of functionality, a fabric belt like this really does not do much (or anything) in terms of actually holding the pants up, so it is purely a cosmetic addition.

Linen Pietra Pants

Also, finally, I recently made another pair of tapered Pietra Pants in linen navy.

Classic edition! Although you can’t really see them here since navy photographs as a big ol’ blob!

This new pair of Pietra Pants didn’t justify it’s own blog post, since there is absolutely nothing new about it, but I thought I could at least pop it up on the blog here, making it a double whammy of Pietras!

The Pietra Pants are actually a pattern I reach for very regularly when being active – camping, walking long distances etc. because I find that their crotch shape and rise is very comfortable on me. I can walk all day and there is no upper thighs rubbing together – the dropped crotch has a lot to answer for in my humble opinion!

I actually made these navy ones specifically to have an extra pair of Pietra to come on vacation with me to Mexico and Costa Rica – cuz where comfort and functionality are key, Pietra makes the perfect partner!

And, a new Charlie Caftan!

And, finally, sticking to the theme of Closet Core extravaganza, I also sewed another Charlie Caftan. This is view C of the Charlie Caftan in a size 12. I also tried out view A last summer, but I really don’t like that one as much as my previous view C version. I’ve definitely decided that the long flowiness of view C is my preferred version of the Closet Core Charlie Caftan.

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I made this Charlie Caftan as a last-minute vacation make when I chanced upon this gorgeous linen from Zyga.

I really enjoy sewing the Charlie Caftan as I feel that it is a very easy pattern to sew which comes together quickly for maximum dramatic effect.

The centre from panel is a tad detail-oriented but I’ve always found it very satisfying and enjoyable to sew.

So, not much new to say, except that this I’m very happy with this one too.

Plus, I think I found its natural habitats on a beach in Costa Rica…

So what are your favourite patterns for taking on vacation?