Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Jalie 2908 frankenpattern jeans and jeans month wrap-up


Another pair of pants from the Jalie 2908/Sewaholic 1203 frankenpattern. This denim wasn't as stretchy as the last lot so these have some added width to the sides. I did want these to fit tighter though as I'm getting really sick of them stretching out so I made them right on the verge of firm fitting and it seems to have worked well.


I did top-stitching with proper top-stitching thread this time. Years ago there were jeans advertised with red top-stitching and I always wanted some so finally I have a pair! I like the look of the stitching, it makes them look like 'real' jeans! I did use silk thread the same colour for the bartacks and buttonholes though, my machine really hates top-stitching thread and just wouldn't do the bartacks.





Not much more to say about them. The denim was from Lincraft and is a bit thin and crappy so am not sure how it will wear. I'm really happy with this pattern now, I like having TNT patterns. Its easier to concentrate on the sewing and details without having to worry so much about fit.


A quick note about stay taping the waist, the best way I've found to make the waist fit properly is to try the pants on, pin the stay tape to the waist while wearing them and then sew the stay tape in (you may have to stretch the waist seam to fit the stay tape properly). When I was sewing it in without trying on and pinning it first I found they ended up too tight and without the stay tape they gradually stretched out over the day.


I thought I'd do a wrap up of the pants I've sewn this month;

Sewaholic 1203: Haven't worn these, the fabric is bloody horrible and they will be getting chucked!

Simplicity 1783: Still very happy with these, once the weather warms up they will be getting worn lots!

Jalie 2908 capris: These have stretched out a lot in the waist but feel a bit too tight just above my knees. Not sure if I will bother taking them in or if I just make another pair with slightly wider legs (I still have a couple metres of fabric left).

Simplicity 2224: Surprisingly these have worn really well so far (except for the pocket edges which i really wished I'd interfaced), because of the elastic they haven't stretched out in the waist at all and I still really love them! A bit too bright for me to wear in public they are my weekend lounging pants.

Vogue 1051: Haven't worn these, wrong fabric choice I think. I'm going to wash them a few times and see if they soften up but I don't think I'll sew pants with stretch drill again.

Jalie 2908/Sewaholic 1203: Love these! They stretched out from wear though so I unpicked the waist, took them in slightly and stay taped the waist and they are great now!

Vogue 8751 Pinstripe:  These I've actually worn a lot, they stretched out a little and look nicer now (not bunching at the front anymore) but I still had to unpick them and take in the waist a little as I got sick of hitching them up!

Vogue 8751 Linen; Haven't worn these yet, I made them a little too big (why do I fit pants at night? In the morning I put them back on and they are too big!!) plus they felt a bit scratchy while wearing so I've washed them a few times and taken them in.

So out of the nine pairs including these latest jeans I have 2 losers, one maybe and 6 winners! Pretty good by my odds and its all thanks to my pants block!

16 comments:

  1. Very impressive, I am loving your jeans! Your top stitching is point on. You are inspiring me to work on my pants block to better fit my pants.

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    1. Thankyou! and keep at it with the pants block, its so worth it!
      PS - I still have your silk thread to post out so please email me with your address!

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  2. Looks like you could publish a pattern book just for pants! Outstanding effort for the month, and you now have a great wardrobe of pants. So, what category of clothing are you moving onto this month???

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    1. Thanks Judith - I wanted to sew some simple knit tops this month but my overlocker decided to throw a fit so I'm not sure! Might have to take a mini sewing break for a week or two and recharge my mojo!

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  3. Love your new jeans. They are very flattering. That is a serious amount of pants sewing this month.

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    1. Thanks Marie, I was a bit surprised at how much I sewed this month too! It definitely helps to sew with a plan, I found I was getting quicker with each pair of pants too!

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  4. Great jeans Suzy, you really have the fit down pat. Looks great.

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  5. They are some great looking pants! Well done.

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  6. Wow, you are a machine!! Th jeans are great. My Rtw ones always feel too tight when I buy them, and for half an hour after I wash them, so I guess if I am ever brave enough to sew them I will have to remember that. My silk thread arrived yesterday and it is Lovely! Thank you so much!

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    1. Thanks Lyndle, I'm glad you got the thread!

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  7. I really really like these ones! Great job

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    1. Thankyou! I'm still surprised at how good the topstitching makes them look, I didn't think it would make that much of a difference but it really makes them look like proper jeans!

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  8. What an education! My faves are the Jalies and the last linen pair. Great work!

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  9. wow I can't believe you made these all in one month, fantastic. I really like the jeans with the red stitching SO CUTE. fantastic, and thanks for all the pattern reviews. great fit on all.

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