After I sewed my first pair of these jeans in March, I wanted to sew up another pair with some tweaks to the fit.
This time I went with a straight size BB. Then I darted out 2” in the front (1/2” in two spots on the front piece for an overall 2”). I compared this to the first pair where I used a size Z in the front and the only thing different was that it gave my thighs the much needed 1/4 to 3/8” of room.
I also added 1/2” to the rise and 1” to the hem. I like my jeans loooooong.
In addition to those alterations, I took off 1/2” on each side from waist to nothing at the hip. My single most problem with RTW jeans is that I have a large butt and a small waist. I always have that dreaded huge gap at center back.
As with the first pair I used the“gaposis” fix linked in this post on the Jalie blog and took 1 inch off the waist and 1/2” off the yoke on each side for 1” total there in the back. All this waist adjustment meant I took off a total of 4 inches in the waist!
Humorously they are still loose in the waist; however, this fabric had lots more stretch than my last pair. The fabric is really soft too.
Fabric: Stretch Medium Weight Dark Denim (you can find it here); 96% Cotton 4% Lycra; it is listed as 10% stretch but it is more like 20%. I purchased this fabric in January – 2.5 yards for $19.95. It is a great weight for jeans, very soft, and easy to sew. I did make sure to prewash.
Thoughts: I really love these jeans! The fabric is soft, the stretch is the right amount. I love the length I settled on. I always wear a belt with my pants so the looser waist doesn’t bother me. I think the bias waistband is what gives me trouble. In the future I would try a pair of jeans without the bias waist. These jeans are about as close as I have ever come to a perfect pair.
Pretty inside pocket bags!
Amazingly sewn zipper fly and jean button :D
Final note: I pushed to make these jeans because I can’t stand to wear the first pair. It is my mistake and not a mistake in the pattern. When I topstitched the first pair I used a double needle – topstitching thread in both, and then regular thread in the bobbin. Well my skin is very sensitive and I can’t stand the scratchy feeling of the regular thread the way it is in the twin needle. The jeans themselves don’t want to soften up either. So they were a learning pair. I learned from that mistake and topstitched these with a single needle at 1/8” and then 1/4” – even though it takes more time and precision, I am happier in the end because the seams are soft.
I plan on wearing these until they fall apart!
OMG!!! It keeps eating my comments!! ARG!
ReplyDeleteOkay. It keep eating my comments, but I'm going to win this battle. I said, I love your jeans on you. Then I said, I think I will never go back to true fly-front jeans after the Eleonore jeans. This better go through!!
ReplyDeleteSorry Dawn :) Sometimes it does that to me too - frustrating!
DeleteThanks for the lovely comment! I wish I could make the Eleonore jeans fit me but if they are big enough to get over my hips, then the waist is too big for me :( They look great on you though!
These look fantastic! Your top stitching is awesome. Now you don't need to buy jeans any more. Yours are made so much better.
ReplyDeleteThank you Shirley! I'm so out of touch with retail shopping anyway :)
DeleteYou out you outdid yourself with these jeans! The fit (and topstitching) look amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Philippa! I'm so proud of them :D
DeleteThese jeans look amazing on you! You did a great job with them!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThese are so great!!!! I need to sew up this pattern already. They look so non-handmade and pro looking!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy! You really need to sew them! They fit amazing.
DeleteThese look great! I'm so scared of sewing jeans. I also worry that the material is too much for my machine. I guess if I used a walking foot and heavy duty needle I would be okay.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy! Don't be afraid! I waited way too long to try to make these and they sew up just like every other pattern ;-) You should give it a try! The hardest part was finding the right denim.
DeleteAmazing jeans they fit you perfectly...and top stitching looks retail quality. Good job.
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteYour jeans look great! I just tried mine on and I have a huge gap in the back. I looked up the gaposis fix on the Jalie sight, however do you know if there is a way to cut them correctly so I dont have to do that fix everytime or is that just how it is?
ReplyDeleteHi Christine :) After I made the fix on my jeans I put my pattern piece over it and then drew the line I cut out. that way I have it for the next time I cut out my pieces. I hope that helps! I also hope you loved your jeans as much as I love mine :D Thanks!
DeleteWere these hard to understand and make? I am not a begiiner but not super skilled either...Those are beautiful! Look great on you!
ReplyDeleteHi Charlene! And thank you! I love these jeans. I need to make another pair as I've gained weight. They aren't hard to make. I don't think jeans are hard to make at all. They just take a very long time. It takes me about a week with 2-3 hours a night. Its a slow process until the very end. I think the instructions on the Jalie ones are great. I prefer to use the tutorial on the closet case website for the ginger jeans though. It can be used for any jean pattern and it shows step by step, picture by picture. I'm a visual learner so that really helps me :D Thanks for the comment and good luck!
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