Friday, February 22, 2013

Fearless February Project

  I've made jeans before. The first pair of wide leg jeans,(about 5 years ago) were OK and I still wear them today.

The second pair (about 2 years ago)... not so good. They looked nice,fresh off the sewing machine but, as the day wore on they got bigger,baggier and saggier as the day went on.

  So I was happy to live with one pair of made-by-me jeans and one pair of RTW jeggings, until the "Fearless February",challenge made me think about my fears of making jeans and solutions to some of the problems had before.
  •  Fitting was achieved by comparing the measurements of each pattern piece to the similar pieces on a pair or RTW pants that fit me well.
  •  I stabilized the waist and crotch area so that they would not stretch. 
  • I hammered bulky seams and they went under the presser foot without any problem.
  • I used a different thread for top stitching (more on this further into the post).
I'm very pleased with my new pair and they passed the wear test. No bag, no sag.

This Butterick 5682 pattern is wonderful ! I made the boot cut version from dark wash denim from Hancock
Fabrics.


I use this stitch for my top stitching and 40 weight cotton poly core thread. It comes in a large variety of colors and it sits nicely on the surface of the fabric. I didn't use denim top stitch thread because I've had to many problems with it bunching underneath the stitches.
On the fabric it looks like this.
 You can also use it in an embroidery machine without any problem,so that your pockets match the top stitching thread.
I have found the right pattern for all my jeans. I will be making plenty more in the future.


26 comments:

Sarah Liz said...

Hi Lisa, I have joined the Fearless February challenge as well. I have a fear of jeans too - can't find patterns that suit my shape - I was going to use this pattern, but the calico did not look good on me! Same with a McCalls pattern. So I have slightly changed to project this month. So thrilled this pattern works for you, so that you can make lots. They look good on you. Pop over and say hi.

Unknown said...

Great job! I need to make pants & jeans but I have been putting it off. This is an good fit, I will have to try this pattern. I have bolts of demin from a previous craft project. I just need the nerve. Thanks to sharing

Chris Lucas said...

OMG Lisa... your jeans look great on you!! I love them actually... lucky you don't live near me or you'd probably find they would disappear from your wardrobe and end up in mine LOL. I've yet to challenge myself to sew a pair of jeans but I'm slowly building up the courage and you've just added a little more to it... thank you xxx

Ebony said...

Those are some snazzy jeans!!

prttynpnk said...

Nicely done, Ma'am! You don't really have sewing fears- you are amazing!

Sheila said...

Those are some fabulous fearless jeans.

Lori said...

Fabulous jeans and I really like your embroidered pockets. Great job.

Victoria said...

Ooooohhhhh (squealing)---Your jeans look fabulous!!! You look great. BTW, I love your pocket design. I just did my own and let's just say I've never thought of a better reason to get an embroidery machine! Again, you did a phenomenal job!!!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

These are fantastic! Love the embroidery on the pocket! And is that the Vogue jacket I spy in the first picture? Yours looks fantastic!

Angela said...

I am not quite ready to tackle jeans but yours look great! I have that same pattern, along with a McCalls jeans one. I will have to refer back to your tips here when I get brave enough to try.

Miasews said...

What a fabulous fit, and the embroidery on the pockets is genius. I'd bet that people follow you around asking where you got them.

JuliN said...

Oh wow, your jeans look fantastic!

Megan said...

Jeans! I'm so impressed. I love the embroidery on the pockets, its a great personal touch. Thanks for the tips about the pattern, jean are on my need to make list.

DawnSSL said...

Great job, love your pocket design.

Mariela Alethia said...

Lisa you are on target with the jeans and the fits is perfect.

L said...

Isn't it great to have a pattern that fits and can be sewn within no time? Your jeans are smokin' and I love the jacket! Very nice job, Lisa!

Tanya said...

Love your jeans, jeans are on my sewing bucket list. Love the pocket embroidery. Great job.

Faye Lewis said...

Jeans are so daunting! You are to be commended for pulling off such a great fit fearlessly!

gwensews said...

You found your perfect jean pattern. They look terrific and lucky you because pants are the nemesis of every sewist!

Anonymous said...

These jeans are gorgeous, you should be very stoked about wearing them. They fit so well and love the embroidery detail on the pocket!

It's Melanie Darling said...

Love them. I so want to make a pair of Jeans, on my sewing board for sometime this year.

Anonymous said...

SHUT UP...YOU ROCK...OMG!!! I love those jeans. The butterick pattern looks fantastic on you. I had the pattern in my hand a few days ago and traded it for Vogue8774.... I'll be going back to get Butterick. I have the Jalie 2908, too. I have started any of them. Did you make a muslin or just "cut and go?" I love your embroidery on the pockets. Great job! Vita

Anonymous said...

Also, did you embroider the fabric first, then cut around the design. Mine is an embroidery machine but I may have used the feature twice since I purchased it.... Vita

Lisa H. said...

Hi Vita. I did not make a muslin.I measured the width of the main pattern pieces and compared them to my best fitting store bought jeans.

I embroidered the pockets by mirror imaging the design at each end of the hoop on the fabric and the cut them out. This method saves on stabilizer.

Elise Lin said...

That's some gorgeous pair of jeans you made. And I love the embroidery!

Lynneb said...

Oh, Wow! They look SO good on you! I love that wide leg and the embroidery detail! You ladies with embroidery machines should commission your pocket work out to those of us that don't have one!