Thurlows for real!

Yesterday was a stinker! What did you do? swim? beach? movies? shops? Well I did none of these things because I was too busy finishing my first 'real' Thurlows! Yep, trouser sewing on a 40 degree day. I'm sure the fad will catch on...

I feel quite nuts sewing trousers in the height of summer, but I'm quite aware of how time consuming sewing and fitting pants can be. Given that my work schedule will be quite busy this year, I figure it's a good use of holiday time to build these essentials in my wardrobe. I currently only own two pairs of trousers, a RTW pair from Witchery and these ones, which don't fit the best and the back tabs feel a little home-made for me. I certainly need more variety to get through the work week, especially as autumn approaches.

I'm quite pleased with how these trousers turned out. They fit well, they are comfortable and my style. However, there is still room for improvement. My next pair I will work a little more on the back leg creases. It isn't too much of a problem and definitely less that my RTW trousers, but isn't that the fun of perfecting fit just for you?? I'm planning to further remove from the back inside and outside leg to remove fabric excess. I'll also re-adjust the curve too.

The fabric is a mystery roll end that I purchase from Tessuti way back here. It is lovely. Very drapey and smooth with a little mechanical stretch. Definitely worth the $10!

I had a little trouble fitting the zipper this time, which may have been my late night sewing, but I think my next pair I'll use this Sandra Betzina video tutorial again, as I've had success with it before.

I also made my first welts!! I didn't have the pattern pieces to make the ones Tasia had drafted (I think Rachel cut them and kept them with her tracings) so I used the super clever Melanie's tutorial for single welt pockets. Considering I didn't sew a practice welt, they turned out pretty neat. Now I do have a small confessional about these welts.... they are non-functional, purely decorative! I know that I don't need back pockets. I don't use them, nor do I intend to use them at any time in the future, but I like that welts and pockets break up the butt area. All I did when I came to attaching the pocket bag was that I only attached a backing that extends to the waist band. Easy.

My next pair is now cut and I'm hoping that after they are sewn I'll have filled a troublesome void in my wardrobe for work.

Cost:
Pattern: Sewaholic Thurlow -modified. Borrowed from friend = free
Fabric: Mystery roll end from Tessuti = $10
Zipper: $1.29
Thread and interfacing from stash
Total: $11.29