The start of the Winter quarter at the college was now a full week ago, but I’ve been busy enough that I hadn’t yet gotten an opportunity to show off my “first day of school” pants until now (and now only because I’m procrastinating on some grading!).
The fabric is another one of the wools I bought on a great sale a while back at
Eddie’s. The subtle plaid just screamed pants to me, and while I really, really wanted to use my new Sewaholic
Thurlow Trousers pattern, I knew it meant time fiddling with the fit, and time is something I do not have at the moment. So, I went with
a pattern I’ve used several times before.
I’ve made this pattern four times now (most notably here), and each time I’ve used a less and less forgiving (read: stretchy) fabric. This time, I lined the pants and it became even more obvious that I need to either find a new pattern or make some significant fit changes. Basically, the back rise just isn’t quite long enough for my ample bottom. It doesn’t look bad, but they just don’t fit perfectly. I just need to bite the bullet and make time to get the perfectly fitting trouser (you know, or take a pattern making course and design them from scratch).
The original pattern doesn’t specify any sort of back pockets, so I always put in my own welt pockets to break up the expanse of fabric. I worked hard to match up the plaids on the welts, so they blended in a bit better.
The plaid is well matched everywhere except the trim part of the pocket on one side. I’ll show it to you, just so I can confess that I did not go back and fix it. Sorry guys.
I lined the pants with some Bemberg, but didn’t take photos at the time (and probably won’t get around to it), so just trust me on that one. Since the pattern didn’t include a lining, and I decided to add it after the pants were almost fully constructed, it didn’t go in as gracefully as I would have liked, but it works!
My only goal for this year is to make one garment for myself each month. I know it’s a low bar, but I want to be realistic and not feel like a huge failure when I’m over-extended in other areas of my life (and I might even feel good about myself if I surpass expectations!). Hurray for reasonable goals!
Bea & Lucille 
Oh, I love the fabric too!!! I did bite the bullet and went with Thurlows (and all the altering business) a couple of months ago, only to find that I didn't really like the pattern. Apparently I'm not pear shaped enough 🙂 I really thought I was a classic pear… Pants are tricky! I'm contemplating constructing my own from scratch too.
/Alexandra
sewyourboat.blogspot.se
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These are looking really comfortable yet fashionable! Trousers are so very tricky and they forgive nothing :S I would love to find a pattern I love one day. Maybe I’ll give this Simplicity pattern of you a chance!
Good luck with your goal! 🙂
Jasmin
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Wow! Those pants are gorgeous. I'm sorry to read that they don't fit perfectly since they look so great, but I imagine it shouldn't be too hard to tweak them just a bit the next time you make them. And, a garment a month sounds like a great goal to me!
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Very stylish pants and a lot better than you will get RTW. A lot of us want to do the pants journey, but where do you start?
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These pants are fabulous and you look great in them! Really can't tell that they don't fit perfectly
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The fit looks pretty good to me! I've still never tackled pants, well not since I was 15 and made a pair of star print jeans. They were actually ok, but I think I know better now…I'll be interested to see if you do try out the Thurlows.
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These look great! I've been reading your blog for a while now, but I didn't realize you were a prof until this post. I'm currently working on a PhD, and I've been focusing my sewing more and more on garments I can wear when teaching–these pants are great inspiration!
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Wow Nicole, these are super impressive pants! I wish I'd seen these when I still needed to dress formally for work. They look like they fit you really well.
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Not being pear enough was my fear, too. The finished garment measurements were SO far from how I wear pants. But, I do want to give them a try…we'll see!
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I would definitely recommend this pattern. It takes some work to get the fit just right, but if you alter the tissue as you make your fabric alterations while sewing, you've got a pattern you can come back to again and again. Good luck!
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Thanks, Amy! The poor fit is mostly noticeable when I sit down, so luckily, as a mother and teacher, I rarely get to do that, so it's not too big of a deal 🙂
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I think this pattern (Simplicity 2700) is actually a good place to start! The pattern walks you through customizing the fit for your body shape and provide a lot of places to tweak the fit right up to the end of construction. Good luck!
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Thank you! They look better than they feel!
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Wow, star print jeans! That's a serious project for a 15 year old! I'm a little hesitant with the Thurlows because I'm not sure I'm “pear” enough for it as written, but I own it, so I don't want it to go to waste!
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I teach Biology–what is your PhD in? I do make an effort look nice while teaching, so it gives me a good excuse to sew lovely things! I've been on the lookout for more work-appropriate dress patterns, since dresses are so easy…on my sewing table right now is this one: http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8902-products-46643.php?page_id=855.
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Aw, thanks Kristin! I'll tell you what, the fit looks better than it is 🙂
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Well thank you for not sitting down and photographing the low rise to prove your point. But I agree with everyone else they look fantastic when you're standing up!
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