Y'all I made my first pair of jeans and I am SMITTEN! They turned out perfectly and I couldn't be more proud :) View & Sizing:I cut a size 6 at the waist and graded to a size 2 at the hips. This was my first time grading a pattern, so I was terrified - but it worked out so well! I'm realizing now if I'd graded the Jenny's I posted about last week that likely would have solved all of my fit issues. I also performed an after-the-fact sway back adjustment by taking in 1/4" from each side seam just at the waist and grading to the normal seam at the start of the front pockets. This fixed minor gaping at the back yoke. Next time I make these, I will perform the sway back adjustment on the pattern piece prior to construction. (But, I don't know how to do that -so advice is welcome!) Materials:So this gorgeous White Oak Cone Mills Saffron Denim from Salt Lake Sewciety has been on my wish list for months! I was originally planning to purchase it in September but it quickly sold out, and I was heartbroken. Thankfully they restocked it in October and I immediately snatched up 2 yards. For the pockets, I used a sunflower quilting cotton from JoAnns that is actually super sentimental for me. Back when I was just getting started sewing I made so many mistakes, including using the wrong fabric for everything (quilting cotton all day every day) and I never knew to pre-shrink fabric. So the second I finished a garment it would immediately shrink to toddler size. For a week I couldn't decide if I wanted a regular button fly, an exposed button fly or a zipper fly. Ultimately I found these gorgeous gold jeans buttons at Salt Lake Sewciety and I thought they'd look so pretty against the saffron denim, so I opted for the exposed button fly (they're sending me real Lander Pant vibes!) Construction:Alrighty, this is where I need to admit I didn't use the instructions at all- I constructed these as part of the Dawn Jeans class at Salt Lake Sewciety, and I did whatever Delaney told me to 😂 One thing I appreciate about the order of her construction is she worked to optimize topstitching thread and regular thread. For example, we batch constructed as much as we could to start that used topstitching thread so we wouldn't need to switch super often. I was fairly lazy and opted for mock flat-felled seams instead of doing the real deal. This means I sewed at 5/8" SA, then serged the seams, pressed them back and did a double topstitch at 1/8" and 1/4". I was terrified of doing two rows of top stitching as I was sure this would reveal my poor stitchmanship (is that a word?) but I persevered and am so proud of myself!
Final Thoughts:I have desperately feared making jeans since I started my sewing journey. I can now say I am confidently ADDICTED and can't wait to start on another pair (I'm thinking burgundy corduroy in the same view C fit!) This was a great pattern for a first timer, and I love all the variability that Megan Nielsen includes in the pattern. I initially picked this yellow denim hoping it would hide any flaws in my first jeans make, but I can confidently say that I didn't actually make any mistakes! These came out awesome and the best part is the button down fly isn't as hard to close as I thought! My 3 minute passing period pees will not be impacted! In all this took about 10 hours over three days to complete. Day 1: trace/cut the pattern and made a muslin then cut the fabric; Day 2: pockets, crotch seams, button fly, back yoke; Day 3: inseam, side seams, waistband, buttons and hem. I did this as part of a three day course at Salt Lake Sewciety.
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About FrancescaI got my first sewing machine middle school, circa 2005 (although I don't remember learning much in the way of sewing). After a long hiatus, I was reunited with my machine in 2019. I re-entered the hobby through gear-making, and have been crafting a handmade wardrobe since late 2020. I have a real affinity for comfy clothes (secret pajamas) and all the colors! Archives
August 2023
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