I’m pretty sure I’ve added “make red shorts” to my summer sewing list for at least the past couple of years. I had a really awesome high-waisted pair that I made a few years ago and wore the hell out of (red shorts go with everything, don’t ya know), but eventually they got too big and I sold them off. I’ve been meaning to replace them for years, but never got around to it – partly because I couldn’t find a good fabric that I liked, but mostly because I kept getting distracted by the new & shiny.
Sooo, this post is dedicated to those red shorts. I finally made some! Although they’re nothing like the OGs – no high waist, no pleats, none of those – but they’re red, and that’s the most important part.
I’m going to keep this (relatively, for me) brief, because nothing about this project is new information as far as my blog is concerned. I used the Sewaholic Thurlow trousers as my pattern. This is a really, really fantastic pants pattern and I’ve made it up numerous times – from jeans to red skinnies to shorts to more shorts to MORE SHORTS. (+ even more that I did not link because, well, that’ll be enough for now). I even had a Thurlow Sewalong on this here blog like, a thousand years ago! I loooveeeeeee me some Thurlows! They are beautifully drafted, have an awesome butt-fit, and they look really nice and professional when they are sewn up. Thurlows win.
That being said, I’ve talked about the Thurlows a LOT on this blog. It’s kind of hard to keep waxing poetic about something you’ve already publicly loved on to the point of it becoming embarrassing PDA, so I’m going to refrain in this post. Nothing new about this project. I made my usual size with my usual adjustments (for more details on that, see one of the many MANY posts I’ve written about this pattern hahaha) and followed the instructions. Yawn.
Even my fabric choice doesn’t really offer much in terms of exciting and new. I used an Organic Cotton twill from Mood Fabrics – it’s the same fabric I used last year to make my tie-less Miette skirt. I had just enough to squeeze out a lil’ pair of shorts, so, awesome! I love using this twill to make Thurlows (yeah, even fabric choice isn’t a first – I’ve made this pattern using the deep wine color before, too hahaha), as it holds it’s shape really well and is comfortable to wear. It also washes and wears beautifully, which is, well, pretty important too. The only thing that sucks about this fabric is that it tends to sell out pretty quickly on the website!
To make up for an unexciting pattern review – here’s an ~exciting~ photoshoot! Well, this isn’t nearly so much exciting as it is just different from the mess of trees I usually have going on in my photos (which I ain’t complaining about one bit, because I can – and will – stare at those trees all day long. They are so beautiful!). Landon and I took a hike a couple of weeks ago, in search of this waterfall, and we ended up taking these photos just because the scenery was so awe-inspiring. My hair is a rat’s nest of a mess and these were taken with his phone – but I like them! I don’t normally go for photo-shooty type pictures on this blog (I personally don’t think artsy photos do a good job of showing details. Also, I abhor the idea of having to leave my house to take pictures for a blog haha), but I’ve posted about this pattern a zillion times, so I think it’s ok if you can’t see every little detail.
What’s exciting about these pictures is that, even though we were hiking to get to this point – it’s not like we hiked very far, or even had to drive anywhere to begin the journey. We started out in our backyard and traveled through the neighbor’s yard to find this spot (I should add – our neighbor has repeatedly invited us to explore and enjoy his land. He’s the one who told us about the waterfall in the first place). So, while this isn’t literally in my backyard – it’s close enough! We only had to walk about 30 minutes. Yeah, neighbor has a LOT of land hahaha. Way more than our puny-by-comparison 5 acres!
God, I love living in the country 😀
And because this is still at sewing blog, here at Thurlow short gut photos:
Oh, I did change up what pieces I cut from the lining. The waistband and fly facing are self-lined (instead of using contrasting lining fabric); only the pockets are cut with lining. I did this because I always felt like the lining showed from the right side, which I wasn’t a fan of. I guess this may not work for really heavyweight fabrics, but it was fine with the cotton twill. Everything else stayed pretty much the same. Also, I dunno why my fly shield doesn’t cover the bottom of my zipper, but, oh well. Finally, I have come to accept the fact that I use this striped cotton for pretty much all my pocket linings, and I will not apologize for that. It makes a really good pocket lining hahaha.
That’s all for today! I have a few more projects that are patiently awaiting a post (I told y’all, I’m behind), and then it’s on to sewing for the next season! I’ve been writing out my plans and gathering supplies, and I’m really looking forward to switching gears for the cozy. Another thing I’m looking forward to is seeing what this area looks like when the leaves start changing. I am pretty sure it’s gonna be insanely gorgeous 😀
LLADYBIRD 
Oh, red shorts and waterfalls! I was wearing a pair of very similar red shorts the day my boyfriend flung me over his shoulder, carried me down three flights of stairs in his dorm, and threw me into a giant puddle in the quad yard just as the Campbell College soccer team trudged by on their way to supper (our team had just beaten them soundly).
I eventually married that boyfriend. Thirty-three years ago. He’s still friendly,
Ooh, if someone had thrown me into a giant puddle, I don’t know if I would have married him 🙂 Your husband is lucky you’re a way better sport than I am 🙂 haha! Seriously, though, I love that story!
I know it’s a sewing blog and all, but the photos are lovely – I’ have to walk (drive) a looong way to get to a waterfall! Nice shorts too – one day I’ll make some Thurlows, I’ve had the pattern long enough!
Thank you! I don’t normally go for fancy photos on this blog (it’s just not anywhere near anything I’d consider a strength 🙂 haha) but sometimes it’s nice to step off my own beaten path every once in a while 🙂 And yes, get to those Thurlows! You won’t regret it!
Love the shorts! The photos are great too! Looks like a lovely place to explore right outside your back door! 🙂
It’s seriously lovely! I’m so lucky to be able to live out here – even if it does take foreeeeever to get into town, totally worth it 🙂
Nice work.
A inch of a half of it less in the front and a little more curve on the fly could improve the (already very good) fitting.
Thank you so much for the fitting tip! I ALWAYS appreciate fitting advice 🙂 Can you clarify a little on what you mean, though? I’m not 100% that I understand what you wrote.
On the fifth picture one can see two “bulging” lines – midway on the zipperfly, the other on the end of it. One can see their shadows also on the ninth picture.
That means there is an excess of fabric on the front. If you take out 1-2cm on the top of the centrer front line, before you attach the waistband, the short’s waist end position will remain on the same place but there will be no fabric to bulge, bring the fit closer to the body, just as seem on the back.
Besides that, on the eleventh picture it seems that the curve for the zipper is a little flat. I mean, you cold bring the center front line less than a 1cm towards the side seam. (be careful on that, as taking 1cm on the center front line results on a 2cm reduction on the total measure).
And I’m sorry if I was more clear on the previous message. I did not want it to be seem as critizing. I was just sharing a problem I had with similar pieces. The final product you’ve shown us is well above any passing grade. In fact, I am not sure if those “lines” even bothered you. I’ve just wonder how much I was concerned about that when I was trying to get ride of them.
I am an athetic figure guy – so I have some thighs and lack some belly. Most pattern, even for jeans, disregard this condition and the solutions appear counterintuitive at the first glance.
I’m not sure if you want the short to be “fittier”, but I think you can handle it.
And overextending my collaboration, two more notes:
– a small bend on the welts help them to stay in place. I mean, instead of sewing them on a straigh line, mark their place with a slight bend – less than a half centimeter (think of a smiley face.). It is a bit tricky, but it helps.
– you should try to replace the metal clamps on the waist with some of the options we have for mens trousers. Extending the inner waist band or adding a flap on the outer band is usually easier. Here are some examples:
Do not try that all at once, for better control on results.
But keep going with the nice work.
Very inspiring.
Sorry, I didn’t expected the liks to get embedded on the comment.
Thank you much for your clarification – this is extremely helpful! I’m always open to constructive criticism, so I absolutely appreciate you taking the time to give me your fitting tips and opinions 🙂 I do find that I need to shorten the rise of most pants/shorts that I make (I’m petite, so this makes sense), and while I have adjusted the front length of this pattern once already, I think you are correct that it could stand to be shortened just a little bit more. The fabric that I used for these shorts also tends to exaggerate every crease, so they do look a little worse in the photos than they actually fit in real life (although I do agree that they could always use some improvement!).
I have never seen that waistband closing treatment that you shared – really cool! I like the clean look of the metal closure, but I’ve always disliked how you can see a little bit of the metal from the front (no matter how it’s positioned). The button closure looks really nice, plus, I think it would make the waistband wear a little better since the stress isn’t on just that one little piece of metal.
Again, thank you! You’ve given me some excellent points to mull over 🙂
you know I have a piece of red cotton twill lying and havent had the slightest idea of what to make with it – thanks for the inspiration! Roughly how much fabric did your shorts require?
Yeeeahh!!! I generally buy about a yard (of 50″ or wider) fabric for my shorts. Sometimes I use less than that, depending on how short they end up, but a yard is a pretty safe number for me 🙂
awesome thanks! I have around that left but may end up with some creative cutting! ha!
Love the stripey pockets! I’ve got a lot of scraps of stripey cotton left over from my Refashioners entries, and now I know what to do with them 🙂 Sadly shorts weather already seems like a distant memory here in London…
Oh yeah, I save all my nice cotton scraps for potential pocket linings (you know, for the few times that I use non-striped fabric :P). Also, is it ever shorts weather in London? I feel like it’s always cold over there! Maybe I’m just a delicate flower when it comes to temperature, though 😉 haha!
I think we managed a total of, um, 5-6 days of shorts weather this summer. Not that I wore shorts on any of them – because that rare weather is for summer dresses, right?! But I am flying over to Nevada and California on Monday and my shorts will be right at the top of the suitcase! (The one pair I own, because that’s as many as a Londoner needs.)
Oh, man! This makes me miss Tennessee! Good thing i have a friend getting married there next summer because these pictures are making me insanely jealous. I do need to check out this pattern at some point, it just seems to have a great, classic look and staying power.
It’s definitely a classic pattern! I feel like this particular trouser shape (well, at least the upper area with the pockets and such – the leg shape can always be changed) never goes out of style. Love it!
Those are really cute! Love your background…drool
😀
You make me want to live in the country! Those shorts look great! Your sewing is perfection.
StyleSewMe.com
Thank you!
Love the striped pockets+red shorts combo!! They look fantastic. Quick question about the fabric. On the Mood webpage the twill looks like a much darker red than in your photos. Is the picture from Mood indeed darker? I’ve been interested in buying Mood’s organic cotton twill for a while now, so your thoughts would be appreciated!
I would say it’s about halfway between the shade on the website vs my photos. My photos are a little bit lightened, but the color displayed on Mood’s website is a little dark. They definitely aren’t a sort of bright cherry red, though – chili pepper is a good description for the darker shade. Hope that helps! You might also want to get some swatches so you can be 100% on the color and weight. Waiting on swatches is a little bit of a bummer for me, but it’s an even bigger bummer to get something that looks completely different than what you were expecting!
You know, it’s so funny… I started reading your blog because I wanted to see how the Thurlow Trousers were fitting other people… And once again, this one is NICE
Ha! I knew those Thurlows were good for a multitude of reasons 😀 haha!
Great Shorts!!! I have just completed my first pair of Thurlow shorts recently, but I am thinking about the fit. Did you use the sizing based on the sizing chart or did you end up going with the finished measurements, or 3rd option – using their chart but took in some during the process? I did with the suggested sizing based on measurements, but finished shorts turned out a little too big, so I am now thinking about going down few sizes.
I chose my sizing from the finished measurements, but also made adjustments during the process. I’ve made so many sizing changes and fitting adjustments that they really aren’t too much like the original pattern at this point 🙂 I do think you should go down at least a size in this pattern if you want a more fitted look – especially if you’re not quite as curvy as the pattern is drafted for, which was the case with me.
They look great and so does your background! I like that all your pics while pretty have an amateurish look. I like the spontaneity it brings to your blog and they usually are more interesting to me than the perfectly controlled images of a pro-photographer plus I already see plenty pro-photography in all the other commercial instagrams and websites I subscribe too, so YES! keep your Blog homemade all the way to the pictures too! ;
Thank you! I like my amateurish pictures, too 🙂 Don’t get me wrong – I love the beautiful polished images that you get with pro photography, but I’m clearly no pro here so this is the best that I’ve got! 🙂 hahaha!
Really nice finish – love the shorts xx
Thank you!
Love!! These are awesome.
Thanks, Tasia! 😀
Went to the link for the Thurlows and I do love the pants — only thing is, I’m pretty much a newbie when it comes to getting back to sewing (never was all that accomplished) and I don’t want to get myself in over my head (especially in pants; the mental picture of that one could be pretty crazy….). How much of a sewist do I need to be to tackle these? Great shorts — and scenery, by the way!
The instructions for this pattern are pretty fantastic, in my opinion. They’re not super duper hand-holdy, but they are very clear and concise and easy to follow along with. I also linked my Thurlow sewalong in the post, which follows the entire construction of the pants and includes a lot of photographs, if you think you need more help than what the instructions give you. But honestly, they aren’t hard! As long as you feel pretty confident in your sewing, I don’t think you need to be an expert in order to tackle these.
Sold! I’m getting the pattern — and I’ll be sewing along with the Thurlow sewalong. Thanks!
Those back pockets are perfection. I think they look better on you than regular back pockets (not that I stare at your butt or anything, but it’s kind of hard not to when looking at photos of your butt in pants…).
I absolutely love a red basic. I just finished knitting a red pullover and wore it today, and even though it’s just a sweater it really takes the outfit up to the next level, even though my outfit is just a sweater with a tank and jeans.
Look, if you wanna stare at my butt all day… don’t let me stop you 😛 haha!
Agree with you that a red basic is the easiest way to pump your outfit up to the next level. Love me some red!
Love the photos! I’m so envious of your home in the country. Those shorts are perfect. I’ve never made Thurlows but they look like a very good basic pattern that I’m just going to have to try. I’ve found it hard to find fabric in that ‘perfect’ shade of red – – you know, not to orange, but not too dark either. Your red hits the bullseye in my book.
Oh man, finding a good shade of red can be surprisingly hard! I totally feel ya on that one. When I do find the perfect shade, I have to stop myself from buying 10 yards of it hahaha.
Perfection!! Those back pockets are perfect. You are amazing.
Thank you thank you! 😀
These are fantastic shorts, and I love the colour. Too bad we’re rapidly losing shorts wearing weather. I wonder if I could get away with bright red oants or if that would be too much…maybe a 3/4 length……
Bright red pants are ALWAYS a go in my opinion!
I’m actually looking for a bit of advice on the Thurlows. I made a purple pair a while back. The fabric was a purple suiting from mood that had a bit of stretch. They were my first pair of pants and I was super proud of them so logically I wore them about once a week. Unfortunately by my welt pockets they gave out. I say gave out because the fabric just separated. Not even at the joining point. Did I pick a bad fabric or do you think I did my welts wrong. Here’s the before. https://jamielmac.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/purple-thurlows/
I can take a few snaps of what they look like now if that would help.
beautiful shorts and beautiful Tennessee! I love this land so much, I came here as an adult, but I consider TN as my home!
So nice !
Thurlows pants make really nice butts ! I’ve found my perfect jeans patterns (Ginger, ahaha, just finished my 3rd but I have still downraising pleats at the front crotch…) and I’m looking for my perfect shorts pattern. Thanks to you, I’ll try Maritime shorts ad I’ll keep an eye on Thurlows…
I’m really impressed by your fitting work and I hope I could manage to do so with my damn sway back : so many excess of fabric on the front, I can’t make head or tail of it…