Let’s get down to business, shall we?
First of all, you guys definitely want a sew-along. And I aim to please! So let me introduce my first sew-along (ahhh!!), for the Thurlow trousers:
Feel free to snag this button for your blog, so everyone will know how cool you are BECAUSE YOU ARE MAKING PANTS.
As it is, I am a bit swamped right now, and I know a lot of you guys are working on jackets & coats with other sew-alongs, so we won’t actually start sewing until the end of October. I am aiming for a start date of Monday 10/29, so there will be plenty of time for everyone to work on their muslins, choose fabric (but maybe hold up a week or two, I’ve got a fabric post cooking right now :)) and of course finish your coat if you’re working on one!
I also opened a Thurlow Sew-Along Flickr Group, so please join so we can all share pictures 😀 We will be posting our muslins for advice on fit, and since I’m not a muslin-master, I’m really hoping y’all can pitch in and help when you see something you know the answer to. Open discussion!
A few people asked if they could join with a different trouser pattern – and the answer is OF COURSE! We will be focusing on the Thurlow pattern specifically, but these techniques should work with any ol’ pants pattern, including the gorgeous new Juniper. However, you may need to draft pieces if your pattern doesn’t have all the cool welts & fly facings & shit.
Also, this specific pattern includes an option for shorts, so if you’d rather make shorts… make shorts! All the construction techniques will still be the same 🙂
Ok, for those of you who dgaf about a sew-along… I have something for you too. But you still have to look at my Thurlows. HEH HEH HEH.
Thought I’d whip up a little tshirt last night 🙂
This is the Renfrew top by Sewaholic patterns. I know what you’re thinking – and I promise I’m not getting paid to wax poetic about Tasia’s patterns every day lol. I just really love them and I want everyone to get excited about them too!
Anyway, I wanted to try the cowl in view C, but I was holding off for the right fabric (and weather conditions). This fabric actually came from the flea market last week – this lady was trying to dump off the remainder of her late mother’s fabric stash and this was in it. It was actually really scratchy & smelled awful, like a moldy basement in the 60s, but I took a chance. Especially since I got a big stack of fabrics for $1 lolz. Anyway, it softened up quite nicely with a wash – and the smell is gone. I just think the color is so perfect!
Here’s a back view. BACK FAT ALERT, BRO.
I feel like it also bears mentioning that this is a perfect every day wardrobe ensemble. Sure, it’s a boring concept – jeans & a tshirt. Who the fuck makes jeans & a tshirt? Actually – I think that’s the beauty of it. Instead of focusing all my sewing power on stuff that rarely gets worn, this is some straight-up cake. I am going to snuggle into this outfit all the time – I would be wearing it right now, if I didn’t work in an office with a dress code 🙂 – and it just tickles me that the entire thing is handmade by meeeee.
Oh, speaking of cake – StephC of 3hourspast just kicked off a presale for her new pattern line, Cake! And it’s a casual knit dress – designed to be worn as every day wear, or, the aforementioned cake. Mmmm, cake.
One thing I hear people mention when they discuss not wanting to sew “every day” items is that they are boring to sew. Boring fabrics (not as many pretty prints!), boring patterns, boring boring. And I get that – I really love digging my teeth into something deliciously challenging. But there are ways to make your plain garments more fun – like making the inside a party:
GOD, what a happy shirt!
At any rate, stick around for Thurlow Extravaganza! I’ll be back next week to start muslin’ing, and we also need to talk FABRIC!!
LLADYBIRD 
October 29th! I’ll be there! Thanks for doing it!
Love mustard. And it looks da bomb with red. Great top, looks fab with the Thurlows.
I think you are SO SMART to be making cake, and it sounds like it was cheap cake! These are things you will get so much wear out of, and they fit, and you made them! Wear ’em til they have holes!
Hey, I just got the Thurlow pattern when she had the moving sale… and I need pants… and I have no clue how to make them! I am in! 😀
I’ve never made pants, because quite frankly, the idea terrifies me. This pattern has been sitting in my stash since Tasia released it, taunting me to just get on with it and make it. Your sew-along is the perfect kick in the butt I need to get going so I’m definitely in!
YAY PANTS!!! …and that’s all I have to say about that.
The mustard is a great color on you! I’m excited about the sew along, will be fun to see everyone’s Thurlows!
GORGEOUS outfit! You totally rock that mustard top, I’m so jealous. I’m also very tempted to join in the Thurlow sew along – I wasn’t swayed by the pattern until I saw your jeans, now I can’t think of anything else! x
I love the way the cowl neck looks in that fabric. Can you give us any more info on it? Is it a stable knit, wool blend, 100% poly?
Most of my failures are due to poor fabric choices – the cowl neck Renfrew I made in a poly that doesn’t breathe at all and so it’s way too warm – I am going to remove the cowl and see if that makes it more wearable.
Thanks.
Oops, good point – I totally forgot to mention anything about the fabric!
It’s a pretty thick/stable knit… there’s a decent amount of stretch in the fabric, but not as much as the jerseys I usually use. It definitely has some body to it, that’s why the cowl looks so full & snuggly (which I looove). I’m not entirely sure of the content, but I’m going to assume it’s polyester. I should probably light a scrap of it on fire when I get home to be certain 🙂
And hey – warm Renfrews are GREAT for cold weather (or, in my case, cold offices ;)). But I know what you mean; I have to save all my poly knits for winter tops haha.
I didn’t get to comment on your last post, but it goes without saying that I LOVE your Thurlow’s and your new Renfrew would brighten anyone’s autumn/winter day!!! I’m also so excited about your sewalong, but some new stash-busting rules I’ve imposed myself might mean I can’t take part right away. If you don’t mind though, I’d love to look back at your posts when the time is right and make me my first ever pair of pants!?!
I literally JUST bought a copy of Thurlow! So I’m in for that! 🙂
(By the way, hello! I’ve been lurking your blog for a while now. So I guess I’m finally de-lurking!)
in looooove with the mustard top! that color is so great. while i’ve made many a dress, i’ve been foraying into the shorts/pants (i bought the thurlow the minute i saw it released and made it up as soon as i possibly could and love them so much!) and tees area. i really love that the “boring” everyday stuff is made by me too!
I’ve never sewn pants and am kind of nervous, but this sew-along is going to be so helpful! Thank you, Lauren!!
Oh, Lord, I love a cowl neck and 3/4 sleeves! Very flattering!
Love the top!
October 29 is a good start date, gives us time to work on our Halloween stuff 🙂
Love love love that mustard top! It’s the perfect combination of comfy and classy.
I’m so tempted to do the sewalong, but since I’m moving interstate in November I think it would be a really, really bad idea. That, and the whole I’ve got a wedding dress to sew thing
i can’t remember if i commented on your last pantsy post because i am in a mountain of boxes still but I HATE YOUR PANTS. i hate them!!! because they are not MINE!!!!!
and i love the insides of your perfect shade of yellow top. which is to say, i hate them.
First off, way to show that back fat! 🙂 And I cannot believe you have yellow serger thread. Who are you? Martha Stewart?
Haha! It’s actually orange :B But yeah, I have thread in *almost* every color… I tend to snatch it up when I find it on sale or at the flea market. I can serge an entire rainbow at this point 😉
God damn I love the colour of that cowl neck. And your serging (overlocking… whatev) is delish. and ooh… shoulder seam reinforcement! I luurve pictures of garment innards, perve that I am.
Love the top and especially love the colour! So fun and flirty for fall!
Is it bad of me to say that the “back fat” pictures made me feel better? Like now I know its not just me, but svelte ladies such as yourself I consider to be thin get the same problem cause of their boobs? I think you are lovely and all sorts of awesome so this is totally meant to be a good thing, not a bad one.
In any case, I just got the renfrew pattern, totally turning into some cake. YUM CAKE.
Naw, I totally know what you mean. And I’m glad it makes you feel better, because I’m pretty sure well all have it, at least at some time or another. I personally choose to ignore it, because I can’t see it & if I can’t see it then it doesn’t exist 🙂
YAY CAKE!
Perfect example of cake and the mustard is a great colour. I like, and am extremely jealous of your beautifully overlocked seams. Gah! Want!
This outfit/combination is seriously tempting me to buy both those patterns immediately! I’ve just made my first sewaholic item (the Lonsdale) and I’ve completely fallen in love with tasia’s patterns too…I may not be able to resist joining the sewalong now!
P.S. the mustard is a great colour on you!
I dont think every day wardrobe essentials are boring sewing. I almost get more of a kick out of sewing them (not that I have done much yet) as I can wear the everyday! yay! Love the mustard colour on you! looks lovely!
Love the mustard renfrew! i feel exactly the same way about sewaholic patterns.
Looking forward to the sewalong, I’ve made two thurlow’s already but I want to make another pair of shorts so think I’ll join in as a way to actually get around to it.
oooh look at you in your fabulous self-made outfit! Both are so pretty. I’m totally jealous of both!! I think there is something special in completely me-made outfit, especially of the casual kind. It’s like comfort comes to life and gives you a big hug with lots of love 🙂
Oooo I love this Renfrew! Its so Autumny and cozy – and I like your mustard and navy (denim) color combo with this outfit!
Bought the Thurlow in Sewaholic’s recent sale. Having never made trousers/shorts before, the timing of your sewalong is perfect! Looking forward to making me some shorts ready for a southern summer!
Great outfit. The mustard colour is set off nicely by the dark denim.
I love Renfrew. As much as it’s “just” a tshirt, that would look smashingly dressy with a black pencil skirt, sheer stockings with a back seam and heels. Seriously, the cowl is very versitile.
OOOOH!!! I LIKE THIS IDEA!!
LOVE THIS TOP!!! I WANT one in that color! So cute!
I need pants, and I can never find ones that fit right. Everything is low rise and apparently I have a long butt
So I ordered the Thurlow with a couple other patterns on Monday and they shipped yesterday! What timing 🙂
You look like a very comfy rock star! And since you are looking so awesome in your Thurlows and Renfrew, and I aspire to be a rock star like you, I think I’m going to need to make some Thurlows as part of your Sew A Long! Mine will be straight work pants though – black and grey because I need them – there is a huge hole in my wardrobe that needs to be filled prior to winter coming. I’m so excited you are doing this! You are fabulous in mustard by the way – it’s a perfect ensemble.
I’m so excited about the sewalong! I’ve been dying to make the thurlows but was too chicken to start on my own. Thanks!
Great job! I love the mustard yellow.
LOVE this, and love the color on you! Mustard is def in my top 3 fav colors …. so delightful!
Ah I always love seeing one of your posts in my inbox… it always makes my day ^__^ I’ve been backlogged on my reader though so it’s taken me forever to comment, sorry!!
I just want to say, I thoroughly LOVE those Thurlows… I have the pattern now and I really want to sew it up, so depending on how I go with my Fall plans, I may just join along! If not, I will definitely use it for inspiration at a later date.
Nice find on the mustard knit – you look very ready for fall now! ^__^ I love that colour, wish I could wear it but unlike on you, who looks sunny and warm, it would make me look like i was ready to yak LOL ^__^
I love a cowl neck, and that mustard color is so gorgeous and autumny. That top looks super comfy with jeans, but could be dressed up with a pencil skirt, too. Great!
I marked my calendar for the sew a long, I’m really pumped! {hopefully I can get through the rest of my christmas gifts before then so i have time!}
I’ll join too – I’ll order my Thurlow’s this week ~ thanks for doing this 🙂
First time commenter, long time “stalker.” I’m in for the sew along. I’ve had thurlow sitting in my stash since the first day it came out. I’ve been dying to make up a bunch and now you’ve kicked me in the butt to just do it!
I’m tentatively counting myself in for this sew-along because I have the pattern, and I really, really want to do it. I’ve just started a fulltime job where I can only wear black (no comment), and it would be useful to have a go-to trouser pattern that I know fits, etc. The renfrew is already my go-to tee. 🙂
I’m in! I’m waiting for my Thurlow pattern to arrive in the mail. Thanks for doing this!!!!!
Love the inside of your mustard top, the orange overlocking and neon stay tape are such fantastic touches! I’ve never seen overlocking thread at any op shops I’ve been too, and buying new is costly so I have just black and white, but considering rethreading my overlocker is a half hour job if I’m lucky (why? Why do you demand a different tension for different colours? Why do the threads break after I’ve perfectly threaded it about 7 times before it is happy with the threading?) this is not necessarily a bad thing.
This is why I own a self-threading overlocker 🙂 It automatically adjusts the tension for you! WORTH EVERY FUCKING PENNY.
As far as the thread goes – it IS expensive! I really don’t recommend buying it used, though – that stuff tends to disintegrate over time, and you run the risk of clogging up your machine with little thread particles (or worse – it falling apart after you used it to sew something together!). Bad news! I was able to build up my collection of colors by purchasing a few every time I went to the fabric store. Makes it hurt a little less! And sometimes you can get to sales where they are $1 or $2 a cone, so you can really stock up. Oh, and if you are really feeling the $pinch, just buy 2 spools & put them in the loopers… the needle threads can get away with something that is semi-matching 🙂
Mmmmm, self threading overlocker… damn that sounds awesome! Also, tempting 🙂 What make is yours and would you recommend it? And is it a fair trade with my partner that if he’s getting his motorbike repainted I can get a new overlocker? (He did wonder what to get me for my birthday last weekend!) Thanks for the tips on second hand thread, I will remember that! Unfortunately the sales down here on my little island rarely get down that cheap but I do like the idea of only using two in the loopers. I’ve also read that you can use regular spools in the needles which will then match perfectly at the seam but due to the aforementioned pain-in-the-ass-to-rethread issue I’ve never tried it. Now I’m thinking a new overlocker might be the next step in my sewing plan!
My overlocker is a Babylock Imagine 🙂 YES, I absolutely recommend it – like I said, self-threading, auto tension, and the stitches are beautiful. It was really expensive, though – I paid $1200 for mine. That was about 5 years ago, I’ve no idea if the price has gone down. Like I said, though, totally worth it. And I think it’s a fair trade, painting is expensive 🙂
And I would caution against using regular thread in an overlocker at all (god, I sound like the biggest fun sponge ever, sorry!) – it’s very thick compared to the cones, so it will bulk up your seams. Plus, those things go through thread really fast. You’d use a spool up in no time!
Thanks for that! I’ve looked and a Babylock Imagine is available from my local place for $1999 NZD. Thank goodness our exchange rate is SO much better than it used to be – well, for our side anyway! (Sorry tourists…) You know, I’ve been sewing or around people who sew for years and I didn’t know that overlocker thread is actually a different thickness – that is a bloody useful tip, thanks!
This looks great on you and LOVE using the wrong side of the fabric as the contrast! As always, beautifully made as well.
You sold me on the Renfrew right there. The colour is absolutely gorgeous. Off to make my own now!
love it. Wish i could so like you do.
Hi, do you have a pic for the sew along of how to sew the crotch and back extension as the crotch says 5/8 seam but the basting line for extension only seems to be at 3/8 so they don’t connect smoothly? Thanks