Beige Thurlows
I have made some new pants, Sewaholic Thurlows to be precise. This is my first attempt at the trouser version of this pattern and I don't mind admitting that it wasn't without it's trials. Not that I had any problems with the fabric, or the sizing or the cut for that matter. The problems came with my quest for perfection. Now when I buy rtw trousers, perfection is the last thing on my mind. My usual requirements are, they have to be comfortable and fit well. These trousers did all of these things, so why was I so frustrated? Well, I will get to that!
The fabric I chose is a stretch cotton drill with a bit of something synthetic for good measure. It came from Cotura fashions, just like the sparkle dress I made earlier in the month. It is lovely quality fabric, but I do not know the exact composition. I cut the trousers to size 6, the same size as my shorts made during the summer. I made view A but narrowed the leg on both the inside and the outside. I wanted a pair of pants suitable for work so they needed to be narrow without actually being tight. 
Now that I am no longer suffering from debilitating tiredness, I was able to put all my energy into the finishes on these pants and literally snatched half hour blocks to complete these pants. Because the fabric is super stretchy, I was concerned about the back pockets gaping. Some strategically placed buttons and button holes took care of this risk.
Now, I am pretty happy with these pants. Yes, they do have the odd wrinkle but it is hard to not get these when you have worn them all day sitting at a desk. Initially though, I did have that, could have done better feeling. Why? Well, I over analysed them. I trawled through blogs and fit tutorials until I was eating, sleeping and breathing pants fitting issues. You can imagine my disappointment then, when I looked in the mirror and saw a couple of wrinkles in the back leg of the pants. For the next pair of trousers I now know what I have to do, but actually, now that I have worn these a few times, I am pretty happy with the fit.
This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago. It has taken me that long to get motivated to post about these. I actually don't have much I can wear with these pants but my Vogue 1247 top will do nicely for now!
They came out really nice. All your research into fitting issues was worth it. I am doing the same thing only my object of desire is making a notched collar as opposed to fitting pants. I may just bite the bullet and make a pair of Thurlows. Was the fly extension difficult to make?
ReplyDeleteActually the fly is really easy to construct on this pattern. I didn't like the centre back seam construction method though and because I know how these fit, I just do mine how women's pants are traditionally constructed.
DeleteCongrats on the trousers! I have just delved into the trouser sewing world myself, I havent found them as hard as I thought I would. Sometimes I think you can read too much about fitting issues and construction issues and you feel defeated before you even get anywhere. My philosophy was to just dive in and go for it, luckily it worked in my favour and I had to do hardly any fitting adjustments.
ReplyDeleteI definitely over thought this pair!
DeleteYou should be happy with them - they fit really well!
ReplyDeleteI've done the exact same thing - stressing out over pants fitting issues. And I've come to the conclusion that perhaps I was taking it a little too seriously? I put on RTW pants and stared at them critically in the mirror - trying to look at them in the same eyes I was judging me-made pants, and I noticed things I'd never ever seen before - things I'd classified as fit issues in me-made pants. I actually think you've got a damn good pair of pants here. The only thing that's going to prevent creasing and crinkling at the front would be 100% synthetic fabric! I like these a lot :)
ReplyDeleteYou know you have a problem when you walk behind someone in the supermarket and analyse their pant fit issues! That was me last week.
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