Finally, The jeans are done (Almost).

Remember my frustration with the jeans, well I survived it. I had to walk away from them, and talk a breather. Turns out I had done exactly what Kelly had stated in her comment. I had added a 1" seam allowance on my pattern, but forgot and sewed it with the 3/8" that Jalie patterns use. I put those on the shelf for a moment, and started with a new cutting of jeans.


This time I used the correct seam allowance. The jeans fit really good when I got them completed. I had prewashed the fabric 2-3 times before I cut out the denim. Once I got the zipper and legs constructed. I decided to wash them a couple more times (3 more to be exact). Can you beleive they STILL SHRANK some more. Oh the joys of working with denim. The fit isn't bad for the first go around. Just need to do some twees in the side seam at the thigh hip area, and a little adjust ment at the crotch. This is the fit after all of those additional washings.


I went ahead and added the waist band and a hem. So the fit I think is still good after all that shrinkage!. I'm deciding if I want to do some additional fitting, or just adjust on a per jean basis. I don't think I'll ever get a perfect pattern that will work with with every type of denim fabric, since I've now confirmed for myself that denim, has a mind of its own!


I've still got the followings things to finish:

• add rivets
• add button on front
• add back pockets (waiting till I go to sewing group, so I can have someone help with the placement).

Below is a picture of the pocket that I'm going to be putting on them. I just used a decorative stitch from my 830. All of the top stitching is done in black upholstry thread. (I like it better than using actual topstitching thread, it just seems to stand out more).

Now if you're wondering why the picture of the shoe is on here. Well, I'm 6 feet tall. I'm one of those tall women that loves to wear a 3 inch heel most of the time. And since the last couple of jeans I made shrank in length quite a bit after a couple of washings. I decided I'd do my hem marking with my heels on and add a little extra (Hopefully these have been shrunk to the max with all the pre/post washing). So now if they shrink again, they'll be just the right length for flats!


Once I'm done with these, then I'll work on salvaging the first pair. I'll have plenty of motivation as it's supposed to be in the single digits here next week.

What else have I been working on? I decided to join the Vintage 2011 Sew-Along:

The pattern I have chosen to do is a Vintage Mccall Pattern 5483. The pattern I have is sized for a teen/junior, so I've graded up to my size. I'm doing the version with the slim skirt. I had a peice of black in my stash that I am going to use. I may as well try to make a dent in my fabric stach while I'm at it.

I've got the pattern graded up, and the muslin done. Now on to the sewing.....

Happy Sewing!