Thurlow pattern giveaway

You'll be delighted to hear that giant leaps forward have been made on the Sewlution trousers front. Well, I've decided on the pattern (Colette Juniper) and bought the fabric (red gabardine), so by the end of the week I should be well on my way. I'm currently in deep discussion with myself over whether to make a muslin or not. Don't worry, I'm sure the 'why change the habits of a lifetime?' argument will wear me down before long.

Anyway, having decided on the Juniper pattern, I realised that the other trouser contender - the Sewaholic Thurlow - really isn't for me. I bought it in a frenzy after seeing Lauren's gorgeous denim pair, but I know I'll never use it. So you all know what this means don't you? GIVEAWAY!!!!!

If you fancy holding this wonderful pattern in your hot little paw, then all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  The giveaway is open worldwide and closes at midnight GMT on Sunday 31st March 2013. Please make sure you leave your email address if it's not linked to your blogger profile so I can contact you if you're a winner. Good luck everybody. x

Trouser department dilemma

Ooh crikey, Karen's been dipping her hand into the Sewlutions Jar and pulling out names at random. I thought I'd better at least start thinking about my Sewlution, just in case she does it again and catches me unawares (a bit like an Ofsted Inspector swooping down on a school with an hour's notice…)  My Sewlution is to make a pair of trousers with a fly front in 2013. That's still going to happen - it has to by the law of the jar - but I can't for the life of me decide which pattern to use. There are two contenders: the Thurlow trousers by Sewaholic or the Juniper trousers by Colette Patterns, both of which I own and both of which have a fly front. 

My fabric of choice will be red gabardine (mmm red gabardine…) and the image I have in my head is decidedly nautical, maybe helped along by these inspiration pictures?

By Burda member Fletcher and Fenn. Love the nautical detailing.

From Elle. They're a tad long but I love the fit at the waist

Vintage look Swing Trousers from Vivien of Holloway

I thought I'd lay out the pros and cons of each pattern in the hope that it will help me decide. Here goes…  

THURLOW

PROS:

1. Tons of fabulous inspiration is out there in the blogosphere: Lauren's fitted denim pair, Andrea's chic grey pair sans pockets, Scruffy Badger's gorgeous dogtooth pair, I could go on...

2. A fabulous, extremely helpful, step-by-step sewalong by none other than Lauren Lladybird already exists.

CONS:

1. I already own a pair of black Banana Republic trousers that could be a Thurlow twin separated at birth.

2. I never wear them, even though they fit me like a glove, maybe there's a reason for this?

3. I'm not that keen on boot cut trousers (see above).

JUNIPER

PROS:

1. The instructions look comprehensive, plus all the steps seem to be covered on various Coletterie tutorials if I get stuck.

2. Dixie DIY has made an awesome denim pair which look great, she gave the pattern a positive review too, which is encouraging. 

3. Fab high fitted waist and vintage cut.

4. Would be a great match for lots of my vintage style blouses and wedge shoes.

CONS:

1. Hardly anybody has made them so there are very few versions out there to drool over (apart from Dixie's!)

2. The ginormous width of the legs….can leg width be reduced?

3. If the leg width can't be reduced, then they may just be too wide for my small frame and lack of height (although that's what wedges were invented for surely?)

Actually, having just put this all down in writing, I think I'm swaying slightly more in favour of one pattern rather than the other, can you guess which one?! I'd love to know if you have an opinion on this important trouser issue. Don't be shy, if you think one style is a total non-starter, I need to know!  I'll let you know what I decide next week. In the meantime, have a great weekend. x