I apologize up front for not having any photos of me modeling these yet. I have worn them a few times since completing them but never seem to have enough light or a willing photographer about to help me take them.
This is my second go at making this pattern. The first time was for a store sample at work and I made them in the XS size and also have yet to find anyone to model them for me. On those I also did some machine embroidery on the leg and next to the front pocket. Not my personal style, but very hip and cute anyway. I wanted to make myself a pair so I could test out the fit of this pattern. It is designed for stretch denims and like most Kwik Sew patterns, it does tend a bit large. I did cut and sew the XL per the measurements but next time I will probably either sew them with a deeper seam allowance or go down to the Large. They fit fine but after a bit of wear they do stretch out and are a bit roomy. I didn’t put belt loops on this pair but I may go back and add them so I can cinch them up when needed. I also added almost 2” to the length and ended up not needing it. The pattern says it only has a 30” inseam and I was afraid to go that short in case they shrunk (I did prewash this denim!). I ended up cutting off what I had added before hemming them.
I took my time on the details to make them look as RTW as possible. This meant that I did true flat-felled seams on the yoke and side seams and then went back and top-stitched with a triple straight stitch. The back seam I did a mock flat-fell seam by serging with a 4-thread overlock and then pressing to the side and then top-stitching. In the future I will probably just do mock flat-felled seams to speed up the process. I looked at a couple of my RTW jeans and that is how they are constructed. But I did have to do the “real thing” at least once so I can say that I did. I also top-stitched all the pockets as well as added decorative stitches to the back pockets. Since I’ve made these and the sample at the store I’ve had many people (seamstresses and non) comment on how hard it must be to make jeans. But really it isn’t any harder than any other project and simpler than many others. It is just a matter of taking the time to do the little details that take your project from “Home-made” to “Hand-made”. Imagine what how impressed people would be if you told them you only wore jeans that were, “hand-made exclusively for(by) me”?
Please excuse the wrinkles in the above photos. I wore them to Florida last weekend and just pulled them out of my suitcase this morning to put in the wash. I have to say that I usually hate traveling with jeans. They are never comfortable for wearing for car rides or on an airplane but take up too much room in the suitcase. These broke all of those misconceptions. They are super comfortable and yet still look good when you get where you are going. When I packed them to come home they rolled up nice and tight and took up no more room than my other slacks. I made these from an “Indiana Denim” we carry at the store. I’ve never heard that term before so I’m not sure what it means, Google wasn’t much help this time around. I can tell you that it is a nice soft, lightweight denim with a bit of stretch. It also has a slight, almost pin-stripe texture to it.
My overall impression of this pattern is favorable. I will probably use it again in the future. As always Kwik Sew directions are clear and easy to understand. I would like to make the straight leg version next and maybe go down a size for a more “skinny jean” look. Today the UPS man delivered a box from fabric.com (No matter how hard I try I can’t ignore those sale emails!) and in it was my very own copy of the ever popular Jalie 2908 jeans pattern. After I made the Kwik Sew jeans I was so excited I wanted to make the world jeans (I’m over THAT notion now!) But I was humbled when Emma asked if I could try making her some jeans. Seeing as she is very hard to find jeans for that are slim enough but still long enough, I told her I’d give it a try. As most teens do, she prefers a low-rise waist so I thought that the Jalie pattern would be better suited for her. Plus I read many (not all, I’d never have time to actually sew if I tried!) of the reviews on Pattern Review and was impressed by the results so many had with this pattern.
I have now conquered jeans and am moving on to other sewing challenges. Wait until you see what I have to post next. I have so many projects lined up I need a Snowmaggedon to have time to get to it all.
[...] Kwik Sew 3315: Jeans that fit! [...]
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