Persephone Pants

My favorite (and most worn) make of the summer has been my Persephone Pants. I've worn them multiple times a week since I finished them.

I was debating between a few different patterns for a while. I wanted to make some cropped high waisted wide leg pants and I knew I wanted them in a cream/natural denim. 

I decided on the Persephone Pants by Anna Allen Clothing because they are so similar to the coveted Kamm Sailor pants:

KAMMPANTS

There are a lot of details about the Persephone Pants that I loved, such as the hidden button placket, the practically invisible front pockets, and no side seams.

The instructions were very easy to follow and it all came together very smoothly. I was lucky, in that I didn't need to make any fit adjustments to the waist or hips. 

Right after I finished them!

So happy with the buttons I used from my button stash

A few weeks after making the pants, I had the idea to check and see if I had enough fabric to make the shorts version. I did! I was able to whip up some Persephone Shorts with the leftover fabric. 

My handmade swimsuit and my handmade shorts

I went to the LA fabric district and found the perfect denim in a few different stores. My deciding factor was the price. I was able to get enough fabric for pants and shorts (3 or 4 yards, I can't remember) for $12. The cost of the pattern was $14, so total, I made a $13 pair of pants and a $13 pair of shorts. Not bad at all!
I get asked frequently if it is cost effective to make my own clothes. This is an example of how it can be very cost effective. I am lucky to be close to a major fabric district and, the more I sew, the more my skills develop! 

Avocado Pit Dye

I recently scored a pretty white shower curtain from a thrift store. I have saved some avocado pits recently and I knew I wanted to dip dye the shower curtain! I fell in love with dip dying last year when I transformed some dish towels and burp cloths.

Before...

After!

I referenced this blog post as I was researching the best way to dye with avocado pits. 

First, I submerged the pits in water in my largest pot (I wish I had a bigger one) and brought it to a boil. 

I then let it simmer for an hour. The pink color became apparent rather quickly and got darker and darker as it simmered. Then I let the dye sit overnight. 

Ready to go! Notice the dark pink color of the water

In the morning, I scooped the pits out of the water and brought the water back to a boil. I then got the bottom portion of the shower curtain (the portion I wanted to dye) wet. I then turned off the heat on the dye bath, submerged the wetted portion, and secured the rest of the curtain out of the way. 

I frequently moved the curtain around so that it would stay submerged. 

I left it soaking for about two hours.

I wish I had left it soaking longer! I think my dye bath had the potential to produce a beautiful, dark color because I had so many pits. 

I will definitely be doing this again! Just need a bigger pot... Such a cool experiment. I would also love to dye with yellow onion skins and tea.