It's no secret. It's actually pretty much the norm these days. But now that the Big Ballerina is getting close to moving out of kids' size clothing, it is becoming hit or miss. And it's always a miss. When you find a great deal. On a cute pair of shorts. That aren't too childish. Or worse yet. Trampy.
You know what I'm talking about. The adjustable waistband. That little strip of elastic sewn into the waistband that allows your kid to wear pants. Or shorts in this case. That are actually long enough.
That little piece of elastic is the first thing I check for. If it's missing, I pass it by. Until I happened upon this pair.
Not too childish. Not too short. Not too blingy. No rhinestones. No peace signs. No tie-dye. Just a nice soft, basic white denim. And less than $10. Perfect. Except for one thing.
No adjustable waistband. *crap*
I bought them anyway. Maybe. Just maybe. They would fit my 12 year old ruler. Yeah right. As always, they fell to the floor. But this time, instead of returning them, I decided to fight back.
I found this tutorial that taught me the secret. BUTTON HOLE ELASTIC! Who knew?
I hopped in my car. Made a quick trip to Joann's. Picked up a small package of this magic elastic. Unfortunately, they only had black, but nobody sees inside anyway. Raced back home. And went to town following this tutorial.
Twenty minutes later I was done. Not because I'm a great seamstress. As you can see from this photo. But because this is EASY people! Do NOT be afraid. Seriously. It's EASY!
But the Big Ballerina thinks I'm pretty darn impressive. "Hey Mom, you can take over for Miss Shonda as Wardrobe Mistress (at her ballet studio) when Brianna graduates now."
"ummm...not quite, BB. But at least I don't have to look at you digging your size 6X shorts out of your butt anymore. Here, have a sammich."
Now if I can just figure out how to make bikinis for skinny tweens that actually fit, THEN I'd finally make my fortune.
You know what I'm talking about. The adjustable waistband. That little strip of elastic sewn into the waistband that allows your kid to wear pants. Or shorts in this case. That are actually long enough.
That little piece of elastic is the first thing I check for. If it's missing, I pass it by. Until I happened upon this pair.
Not too childish. Not too short. Not too blingy. No rhinestones. No peace signs. No tie-dye. Just a nice soft, basic white denim. And less than $10. Perfect. Except for one thing.
No adjustable waistband. *crap*
I bought them anyway. Maybe. Just maybe. They would fit my 12 year old ruler. Yeah right. As always, they fell to the floor. But this time, instead of returning them, I decided to fight back.
I hopped in my car. Made a quick trip to Joann's. Picked up a small package of this magic elastic. Unfortunately, they only had black, but nobody sees inside anyway. Raced back home. And went to town following this tutorial.
Twenty minutes later I was done. Not because I'm a great seamstress. As you can see from this photo. But because this is EASY people! Do NOT be afraid. Seriously. It's EASY!
But the Big Ballerina thinks I'm pretty darn impressive. "Hey Mom, you can take over for Miss Shonda as Wardrobe Mistress (at her ballet studio) when Brianna graduates now."
"ummm...not quite, BB. But at least I don't have to look at you digging your size 6X shorts out of your butt anymore. Here, have a sammich."
Shorts - Paper, Denim & Cloth reg. $38
$9.99 at Marshall's
Now if I can just figure out how to make bikinis for skinny tweens that actually fit, THEN I'd finally make my fortune.
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15 comments:
I have a feeling I'll be fighting this battle forever...Isabella is SO SKINNY, yet she has a booty. It's a conundrum.
Can BB wear a size 0 in the junior's department? That size always looks like kids' clothes anyway!
I have been (and am still on) the path of how to dress a beanpole APPROPRIATELY ... delia's (a tween store w/ a lot of junk, but look past that to their basics - jeans, capris, shorts, etc) carries every size and length combination in pants you can imagine - we've had tons of success with their size 00's this year - phew! Prior to that it was a 14 or 16 slim for her pants at stores like justice (again, jeans and basics only - so much junk there) and gap/old navy (slims are online only - but free shipping and returns if you have the credit card).
not sure why i felt compelled to write you a novel here, but honey I can soooo feel your pain - likewise I can also feel your success in this amazing sewing coup on these adorable white shorts ... can I hear a woot woot!?! Now you must share where they came from - less than $10?! Sign me up!!
Good job mama...way to handle the situation! Boy is she skinny! I only buy the pants/short with the elastic thingy too...it's always hard when you have a tall kiddo that is too skinny to keep things up in the waist...but need the next size b/c of length! I so wish I had that problem myself!
kim - Jr sizing is still too big on her, and they drop the adjustable waistbands so we can't make those work at all....until now. The other problem w/Jr sizing is it becomes "sexy." SUPER short booty shorts that are inappropriate for her. The tops are too broad in the shoulders b/c she has no chest to fill them out. And a bikini...forget it! Pads to make her look like a 12 year old Dolly Parton, and itty bitty bottoms that can even be tight, but are so damn tiny she looks like she's wearing a toddler size. It's soooooo not attractive! Fasten your seatbelt, girl! You're about to ride this crazy train with us.
Sloan - thanks for the tip! I'll check out Delia's. I updated the post to say the shorts came from Marshall's.
Good job Kim! Should I bring you some bikini from Italy? What is her actual american size?
#1 You know you're going to have to do this for me, right?
#2 Spent $75 on a bikini that still doesn't really fit. I'll probably take it back b/c my stomach hurts to see the price, but I was weak after watching K try about 43 suits!!!
Someday...we'll be happy they're skinny-mini's and don't have to worry about that extra brownie! :)
A.
wow! this is so impressive.
and by that i mean bot the fact that they make buttonhole elastic (!!!!) and the even more impressive fact that you manage, despite all craziness in our contemporary culture, to dress your daughter like a girl. i've thought, if we had had girls we would have to go shopping for school clothes each summer...in Europe...where girls dress like girls not like flashy magazine dolls.
Well done!
Middlest is just now able to wear the smallest of junior sizes. But to find items that are age appropriate. So challenging. I am totally impressed with the waistband.
Dana
These are the perfect length!!! And you and your mad seamstress skills! It realle can't be as easy as you make it seem, sewing never is!!
Elastic in the waistband. We always look for that too. Glad to see its not too hard to make yourself. Cute shorts too!
Wow! Thanks for the tip. I have several grandchildren who will benefit from this.
You are brilliant....
She has the cutest little butt! Awwwww <3<3<3 Those shorts are cute on her. :)
She has the cutest little butt and the shorts fit her legs so nice! ! It’s hard to dress our kids these days with clothes that don’t fit. Good job
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