The Brooklyn Hack: Turn Your Trousers into Bermuda Shorts
When our beloved palazzo trouser pattern decides to move into summer time, I decided to explore a new silhouette... I dared to try Brooklyn as Bermuda shorts!
Ultra-easy to hack, the Brooklyn sewing pattern has a cut that lends itself well to the challenge: the leg is wide, the waist and hips pronounced.
To match my soon-to-be Brooklyn Bermuda shorts, I chose to sew the Mimosa blazer pattern in the matching fabric.
The Maison Fauve wool tailoring fabric
This is a little marvel, 100% merino wool, woven in England. It’s soft, light and very supple. To sew my blazer, I interfaced the 1. front and 2. side pieces entirely in Vlieseline G785, plus added strips of Vlieseline G700 in the seam allowance area (as I recommend in the Mimosa pattern booklet).
This way, the jacket retains its suppleness but has just the right amount of hold.
The hack's tutorial video
In this video, I explain how to shorten your pattern:
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How to redraw the side line whilst giving a little ease. I’ve chosen an inside leg length of 35.5cm finished (I also add 4cm for a neat hem)
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I flare the bottom of my Bermuda shorts by 1cm on the side and pick the line back up on the C mark opposite the pocket. The leg will be straighter and slightly more flared than on the original Brooklyn trousers.
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You can of course adapt these measurements to suit your look, especially the length of the Bermuda shorts.
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The final fabric consumption can be reduced by 40 cm based on an equivalent length.
Happy sewing!