There is a new pattern in my Etsy store. This one is for boys. It's called the Henri Long Shorts.

When I was growing up my Australian godmother was living in Paris with her young family. Every Christmas they would come home to Australia for a visit. Her son, at 5 or 6, always looked terribly dapper in his long shorts and polo shirts. It was a very different look to that sported by Aussie children in the 1970s.

This pattern was very much inspired by the French style brought home to Melbourne by my godmother.

I've just spent a lovely morning looking through my collection of family photos.

Over many summers these long shorts were all my boys wore. They had about 6 pairs each. All their summer shenanigans took place in their long shorts.

Fighting, jumping, racing, digging, fishing, you name it. The shorts stood up to the task.

And then if I needed to smarten them up for a more formal occasion, the shorts did the job paired with a polo top or shirt.

Here we are trying to get a nice photo for Daddy's office.

Not the greatest photo of Adelaide - it looks like someone has stuck a pin in her.

The Henri Long Shorts are a very simple pattern to make. They are ideal for the beginner seamstress. I've rated them One cotton reel out of Five.

Do you like my cotton reel graphic? I had fun drawing that in Illustrator.

The shorts feature a gathered waist and 4 patch pockets. All you need is around a metre of fabric (yardage for each size is detailed in the pattern listing) and about half a metre of 1 inch elastic. They suit a range of fabrics from denim, linen, cotton, seersucker or cotton canvas.

If you make a pair, please tag your photos with #townmousepatterns on Instagram or post them in the Townmouse Patterns Flickr group.

To entice you to try them, please use the coupon code "hellohenri" to get 10% off any patterns purchased before Sunday 16th August. Happy sewing.