Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Birthday Giveaway Time!

Oh hey, in all the school (teaching) and school (attending) hecticism (I know, that's not even a word), I almost forgot that it was my birthday! There's such a sharp contrast (in my mind at least; I don't think anyone else is concerned about it) between last year's birthday celebrations (all-out LOTR theme party!) and this year's (read: nothing in particular)*, but I'm fine with that; last year was more of an anomaly, if anything. Still, I would like to mark the occasion with some hobbit-ness of my own, i.e. giving away some mathom.

Whoa, what, is something wrong with these? Why are they mathom?


Having drafted my own perfect pants pattern (and failed to do anything else with it since; see first sentence of this post for reasons), I no longer need my copies of Colette Patterns' Clovers or Sewaholic Patterns' Thurlows. If you've a hankering to apply some of my pants-making tips, but haven't found a pattern that works for you yet, you may want to give these two indie patterns a try! Both patterns have been unfolded at some point, and the instructions flipped through, but they are still uncut.

Caveat emptor: both of these patterns are pretty hippy, so if you're not very pear-shaped you may need to do some adjusting. 


If you want to enter this giveaway, leave a comment below telling me your best sewing-related pickup line...or just tell me what kind of pants you'd like to make (actually, I'm just curious about whether there are any sewing-related pickup lines. My students have been talking about pickup lines and while there seem to be plenty of biology ones, but I've yet to come across a really good chemistry one. Wondering about sewing ones seems to be the next logical step). I'll close the giveaway and choose a winner on Sunday night, 11:59 PST.

*Same thing goes for the Catching Fire movie...when Hunger Games was released, I went all out with my friends and did a costumed photoshoot, but this year, pffft. Even though the costumes were arguably better this time around, and boy would I love to make a Mockingjay dress, but there's just no time!

May the odds be ever in your favor!

71 comments:

  1. I'd love the clover pants, I already own the thurlows though =]

    I found some pick up lines online, for sewing: Sure its a needle but it moves like a sewing machine - bit racey :-P

    And for chemistry: Are you full of Beryllium, Gold, and Titanium? Because you are Be Au Ti full :-)

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    1. Haha, love the chemistry one! ;-)

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  2. Sorry, no pick up lines in this woman. However, I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to try the Thurlow out after having much success with the Alma. As a fellow lover of LotR and hobbitness, I think you should pick me! :D

    Seriously though, thanks for the giveaway and happy bday

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  3. Hey baby, could I take a look at your welt pockets? And how did you finish the fly front on your pants... Now how about we go somewhere quiet and I'll let you inspect my (British) pants?

    (Hey, I never promised this pick up line would work! :P)

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  4. Were your hips cut on a bias? 'Cause they have a great swing to them.
    Not great, but I tried :)

    I'd also love to try these patterns. I'm the happy mother of 5, and they just don't make pants for hips that have been through all that!

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  5. I'd be curious to try the Clovers, having already made the Thurlows myself. The only pickup lines I've got are super cheesy biology lines, and I'm sure you've heard them all before.

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  6. I'd love to make up some pants for myself or my teenage girls! Sorry no pick up lines. I've been off the market for 20 years.

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  7. Are those french darts, or are you just happy to see me?

    I would love make some Thurlows. And I've got the hippy part down pat. Count me in. And happy birthday!

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  8. Hey baby, I'd like to ease your curves..

    I've never been brave enough to try making my own pants (pajamas don't count) but your successes have encouraged me to reconsider and I'd love to try those patterns! Happy belated birthday and thank you for the giveaway!

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  9. Happy birthday! I'd love to take either of those patterns off your hands! I still haven't sewn pants yet but maybe I can make that a 2014 goal. As for the pick up line... You Seam to be just what I Needle haha that's all I came up with right now but now I'll be trying to make up more all night

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  10. How about this for a chemistry one...."Lets get together and have our molecules....combine"? Lame - but these things usually are, I guess. I'd love the Thurlows - I have a narrow pant that i've modified enough to call it mine that works.
    As for teaching - feel your pain! I'm a high school Foods/Fashion teacher and we have 12 MORE DAYS UNTIL BREAK!!! That's teaching days, not actual days...but holy moley...can't wait!

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  11. I don't have any pick up lines, but "Handmade Ryan Gosling" does! I'm sure you've seen these memes around though, haha.

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  12. No pick up lines, sorry. However, it's been fun reading the ones that have been posted! Thurlow's have been on my list forever but who has time to sew as a teacher, I ask?

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  13. I'm no good at pick up lines. How about, your inseams must be a mile long? Blech.

    I'd like to try the Clovers. I was shying away from them because I'm a pear shape, but since you say they're quite hippy I'm reconsidering...

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  14. I asked my oldest if she knew a chemistry one...she looked at her friend and simultaneously they said: did you hear the one about potassium? (yea, I know you already got it!)
    The clovers PLEASE!

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  15. I'll try my hand at some sewing pickup lines- "I know setting sleeves can be tricky, but I'd really like to ease your curves into mine!" "you seam like you're tailor made for me..."
    I'd love to try out the thurlows: maybe in some grey wool, and denim of course.

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  16. Hmmm....sewing pickup lines? Don't think I've got any for ya :( But I'd still love to try making a pair of Thurlowes!!

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  17. This thread is funny. I would also love to try the clover pants. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

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  18. I'm really enjoying reading these sewing pickup lines. I haven't been brave enough to try making pants yet, but I think I'm ready. I'd like to try out the Clovers and make something work appropriate. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  19. "Hey baby, I may need you to finish my seams... because I'm fraying without you."

    (I'd love a chance at Thurlow!)

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  20. "What's say you and me try out the fiber content of these sheets?" Did you cringe? I cringed. I've been dreaming of Thurlows.

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  21. I've been wanting to try some Thurlows, but haven't actually bought any yet. Now, for the challenge - pickup lines. Hmmm....

    "Hey baby, I just made some pants. Want to check out my fly front?"

    "I might not stitch in a straight line, but I'm really good at ripping seams."

    "Do you think I need an FBA?"

    Erm, yeah, that's all I got off the top of my head. Best chemistry line: "Are you a carbon sample? Because I want to date you." Yeah. Not that great. You can have so much more fun with physics. Vector jokes are nasty funny.

    Happy birthday!

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  22. As far as sewing pickup lines, I got nothin', but it looks like some people above had some rather interesting ones. ;-) I'd love to try the Thurlows--I'm not sure how "hippy" I will or won't be after this baby gets here, but probably more so than I was before! If nothing else, there's probably enough junk in the trunk to make up the difference. ;-)

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  23. I'd sharpen your shears any day of the week....

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  24. Happy birthday! Unfortunately most of my pick-up lines are the bio and chem ones you've likely already heard ("I wish I was DNA helicase so I could unzip your genes" was definitely a popular one... that's just barely pant-sewing relevant? XD). Sewing ones... There's definitely something to be made with "baby can I thread your needle" or something, but I'm horrid at pick-up lines so I'm not the one to do it. As far as the pants, I'm definitely fairly hippy, and I could use more pairs of pants (and the shorts view looks so cute!).

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  25. The pick up line THAT I JUST INVENTED is: "I'd like to iron out your creases...." Not that good, but oh well. I'd like to try the clover pants. I'm not hippy, but I can adjust :)

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  26. The replies on your post are creative and hilarious. Best giveaway question ever. Sadly, I don't have anything half so witty to add, but I'd love to put my name in for the Thurlows. :)

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  27. Happy birthday! Sorry I couldn't think of any pick up line, but the ladies came up with some great ones and I had lots of fun reading the comments! Thank for the giveaway, I'd love to try the thurlows.

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  28. Happy Birthday! I never did have any pick up lines, sorry, but I would love a bash at the Clovers. Thanks.

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  29. Happy birthday!!!! In college, a politics student told me: "Is it true that economists do it on demand?". I guess we economists are just plain boring! :-) I would love to try the Clovers! Thank you!

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  30. Happy birthday!! :-D

    And thanks for the giveaway - I'd love to give the Thurlows a try, been considering getting those for a while now....

    Hmmm. Pick up lines. Must admit, I'm struggling with these ones! (Pick up lines of any kind have never been my forte!)

    However, it did get me thinking of that scene in 'Never Been Kissed' (cheesy Drew Barrymore movie) where there's a fancy dress ball and a group of them turn up dressed as DNA. Hah. :-p

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  31. Happy birthday to you! Sorry, no pick up lines :( Thank you for the giveway. I'd love to make the clovers, I own the Thourls though and I love them.

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  32. Happy Birthday! My next seeing challenge is to make pants and I haven't been able to decide whether to make the clovers or the thurlows (I think I prefer the style of the clovers but have heard better reviews about the instructions and ease of fit for a first time trouser maker of the thurlows) maybe if I'm lucky in the giveaway I can try both!!

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  33. Never heard a sewing related pick up line! I was supposed to be making a pair of junipers this year, made an unsuccessful muslin and gave in. I would love to try again with Thurlow!

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  34. Never heard a sewing related pick up line! I was supposed to be making a pair of junipers this year, made an unsuccessful muslin and gave in. I would love to try again with Thurlow!

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  35. I'm usually not very good a pick up lines, but here goes!
    "Wow I love how well constructed your pants are. Mind if I get in them?"

    I'd LOVE a chance to try out the Thurlows. I'd like for my pants to actually fit for once in my life.

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    1. Oh and I don't a have a chemistry pick up line, but I do have a bio joke

      What did one cell say when his sister cell stepped on his toes?

      Mitosis

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  36. Hey you, d'you want to get right sides together?

    Do your seams need pressing? I'd love to lay you flat ...

    Machines are all very well, but I get a better finish doing it by hand.

    That skirt looks a bit long for you, do you want me to take it up?

    ... and I think I'll leave it there. I've got the Thurlows, but would love to have a bash at the Clovers. Thank you for the giveaway, and happy birthday!

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  37. No pick up lines, mainly as a result of having found the perfect man 15 years ago. I'd love to try the Thurlow's though; the Clover pants are just too slim fitting for me.

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  38. I'm enjoying those sewing pick up lines!

    I want to make some wool pants, and therefore would love a chance to win the Thurlow pattern!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  39. No pick-up lines, but I'm your girl for the hippy pants pattern!

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  40. I would like to try the Clover pattern - I like the overall shape of the pants. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  41. Not a a pick up line, but here I go: "A woman should never learn to sew, and if she can she shouldn't admit to it" Katherine Clifton, The English patient. I already have Clover, so I would love to have the Thurlow pattern, Thanks!!!

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  42. I don't have any pickup lines. My goals for this winter are sewing some fleece leggings and some cargo pants. But, I've had the Thurlows on my want list for quite awhile.

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  43. I've been dying to try Thurlow. How about: Let me unpick your seams for you.

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  44. Happy belated birthday! I see a few people have mentioned the "sewing machine needle" pickup line. I stumbled across another one:

    Is your dress felt? Would you like it to be? [insert whomp whomp]

    I'd love the Thurlows! They're on my pattern wishlist.

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  45. I'm in stitches over some of those pick-up lines! :D Unfortunately, I'm not creative enough to make one up on the spot... I've been hoarding some stretch denim (both in dark blue and strawberry red) to make slim jeans, so I'd love to have a shot at the Clover pattern...

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  46. Happy birthday!! I can be excluded from the draw because I already have both these patterns, and haven't made either yet LOL, but I wanted to comment that I loved the costuming from Catching Fire, too!--- so much more than Hunger Games!! There was a lot of really gorgeous knitwear as well as the obvious fabulous costuming. If you can figure out the burning dress, you'd be my hero!! LOL I told my bf in the theater, "I want that dress" when we saw the Mockingjay one... yes, wings and all!! :)

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  47. Please excuse me from the giveaway, but I just wanted to comment to say that the word Mathom is fantastic! I think I'm afflicted with an overabundance of Mathom which is an affliction inherited from my mother no doubt.

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    1. Hahaha are you sure you don't want a chance to win your Clovers back? ;)

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  48. My last two pairs of pants have been maternity pants, so I'm ready to make anything but those. I'm thinking black cigarette pants!

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  49. I'm afraid I'm without pickup lines, but as a girl with curves and a constant fight against the waist-gap, I'd love to try these patterns!

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  50. Happy Birthday! I'm not a hippy gal so don't enter me in the giveaway and I don't have any pickup lines.... I fail. But HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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  51. Is that a thimble in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

    hee hee! Happy Birthday! I'd love to try the Thurlow shorts!

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  52. Congratulations! My parents are together with a knitting related pick up line. My dad's friend asked my mother if she'd knit her sweater (she did) and my dad then asked 'Did you knit those socks too?'. They've been together ever since.
    As for pants, I like wide pants. I even have a rule: I need to be able to put a shoed foot though the leg otherwise I won't wear it.

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  53. I've never made pants before, so I'm not really sure what I would like to try on my first attempt. Something easy would be nice! I'd love to try both of these patterns. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  54. I've never received a pick-up line, but here goes:

    "What does it take to get over your activation barrier?"

    "I'll help you fit that skirt/bra/dress any time you'll like"

    "You increase my bobbin tension"

    I'd love to try the sewaholic pattern, I could need a nice pant pattern in my pattern collection :)

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  55. Usually, I'm quick to comment on your posts, but I'm so glad I had the chance to read some of these pickup lines. Priceless!

    I'd love to win either pattern (preferably the Clover), so here is my lame (and kinda dirty) attempt at a pick-up line.

    "I could be your tailor's ham, because you could press your seam open on me any time."

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  56. Is that interfacing or are you just happy to see me? lol that was bad! Seriously though, I would LOVE to try the thurlows!

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  57. Thanks for the giveaway ! So nice of you. I am not great at these but - How about a seamstress interacting with her dress-to-be-made - I like 'facing' you often ;)

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  58. I don't want to enter the giveaway (already have Thurlow, not interested in Clover), but I have a line:

    Do you need a sewing buddy? Because I have a trained set of hands.

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  59. The witty commenters before me got some great pick up lines. :) I'd love to try for the Clovers! Happy b-day!

    ~Gillian
    youngyankeelady.blogspot.com

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  60. Hm, I've already got the Thurlows and I've given up on making anything from Colette (too many muslins), but I wanted to wish you a happy birthday! Thanks to your pants-fitting tips, I'm going to give the Thurlows a whack. I'm not really a pear, so it'll be a lot of interesting adjustments to see if they'll fit or not :-P. My dream work wardrobe, which consists of more clothes than I realistically need, consists of charcoal gray and black or medium brown wide-legged pants, plus cropped thin pants in navy blue and also in plum. I'd also take a pair of jeans in each for the weekends. But like I said, that's way too much for what I really need, so I'd settle for charcoal gray or black, and slim-cut jeans. Maybe a pair of Thurlow jeans too, cuz my 2 pairs of current jeans are about ready to die.

    Sewing pickup lines? Hm, no good ones coming to mind right now. Post a roundup if you get some!

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  61. Be careful your needle doesn't melt, because you sew hot! :-D

    I'd love to win and make a pair of warm weather trousers before the snow starts. :-(

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  62. "Hey, baby. Wanna play with my french curve?"

    "I bet I could put a zip in your pants"

    "Why don't we go in my sewing room and I'll let you thread my needle" (seriously, I need new glasses)

    Or the classic, said in my best Mae West impersonation "Why don't you come up and seam me sometime?"










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  63. I would love to try either of these patterns. I drafted a good fitting pattern a get years ago, but I've gained a bit of weight since then :(

    My pick-up line is via google and only vaguely sew-y.

    Your lips look a little wrinkled...mind if I press 'em for you?

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  64. I have no idea on sewing pick up lines, but I've had a bit of a laugh reading the previous ones. I'd love to try the Thurlow 's. Post baby my hips are somewhat larger than they used to be and I still haven't found a pair of pants I like.

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  65. Happy belated Birthday! (Please do not include me in the giveaway - those fabulous patterns should go to someone who actually wear pants . . . )

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  66. "I am the warp to your weft, and to you, I'll always be 'TRUE'."--a gentleman when wooing a lady.

    Thank you for this interesting giveaway, and I wish you a happy belated birthday.

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Thank you for taking the time to tell me your thoughts! I appreciate reading them and I try to reply to most, if not all, comments, especially when they are questions. I ask that you keep your comments polite, and if you're a spammer, don't bother because your comment will just be deleted! Also, if you're commenting on a post that's more than two weeks old, it will be moderated.