At least, perhaps boring for my blog readers. But not for me. After two weeks of a lot of other things to do and no sewing mojo (I did a lot of other fun things) I was inspired by the internet sewing community again. I’m about to sew the very famous Jalie jeans. Many, many bloggers have made this already, there are also 130 (!) reviews on Pattern Review for this pattern so I have nothing new to add. But I never made it.
Sewing jeans was a bit down on my “to sew” list. After seeing Nancy K’s muslins and ArtAttack’s review on PR this week, the jeans were back on top of the list. I have almost all that I need for it, even had cut the muslin more than a year ago (a muslin as a UFO!), so yesterday evening I finally did sew the muslin.
Before I did that, I compared the traced pattern with the pattern I traced off a rtw pair that I like, and to my surprise it was not too far off, considering the pattern has 1 cm seam allowances (the paper is the Jalie pattern, the traced plastic sheet the copy of the rtw). I’m using the high waist version of the pattern, I feel more comfortable in those.
Like a lot of others I’ve changed to straight cut legs, but otherwise I’ve sewn the muslin without alterations. To my very great surprise it was rather good on my not so default figure. A bit too tight, the muslin fabric has no stretch at all, but considering the difference in waist-hip size I’m really happy with how this fits. I’ll change the waistband to a shaped waistband, there is a little pleat at the back above the knee to take care of but most of the other wrinkles will probably/hopefully disappear in my denim with a little stretch. I’ll be cutting some extra fabric in the side seams to be sure. Not the most charming pictures:
Why did I wait so long? Also the tracing of the rtw was done that long ago. Apart from some other things on my mind there is the fear of sewing jeans. Can I really do that? I hope I can answer that with a yes soon.
Other sewing related things: the muslin for the dress is finished, posting about that later when I have some help with fitting. Muslin cut for a jacket (to go with the jeans, I’m more or less planning a mini-wardrobe). And very bad for me: my Bernina sewing machine broke down 
Great fit first up. I'm not madly keen to sew jeans, but would like some trousers with a jeans cut.
ReplyDeleteLooking good. Just how jeans do look like. Looking forward to seeing them in denim.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with how well they fit after just one muslin. Lucky woman!
ReplyDeleteHaving two machines when using topstitching thread is a luxury for sure. I bought that vintage Viking just to do topstithing. It handles the heavy jeans topstitch thread magnificently.
I messed up the zipper on the first pair of Jalie Jeans I sewed. Then I procrastinated a long time due to "fear of sewing jeans" again.
ReplyDeleteFinally I made a pair that was a combination of Jalie jeans and a pair of RTW that fit me well in a stretchy denim.
They're not perfect, but they Are Wearable. Yay! However, it was a LOT of work for me. I do intend to try again, but I need a long break before I attempt to sew another pair of jeans.
I hope you continue posting your progress. :-)
You will do fine. Use blue jean needles.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if designers would just raise the waist a tad we wouldn't have to learn how to sew jeans. Once we do learn how, the custom fit is oh so much better!
Your muslin looks very, very good! This looks like a promising project even with the sewing machine troubles.
ReplyDeleteI've never managed to attach pocket bags all the way to the fly front, like you have marked out, without making a mess of it. So I will be especially watching for how you do that!
wow you are pushing me to get going on my jeans - fingers crossed I'll have some time this/next week providing work doesn't intrude too much into my vacation (which is already is).
ReplyDeleteLook forward to see the finished article
So lucky to have these fit with minimal aggravation. Great job, Sigrid! I'm impressed by your brilliant tracing of the RTW onto the clear plastic sheet. Love that idea. I'm also anxious to see how you remove that little back wrinkle over the knees.
ReplyDeleteYour muslin looks great. I"ll be back to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty amazing how similar your RTW rub-off is to the Jalie pattern! Maybe I should give that one a try. Burda was a big fat fail on my figure. These are going to look great! I can hardly believe you're afraid of jeans. You do such gorgeous, complicated work!!!
ReplyDeleteSigrid, wow, that is such an astonishing good fit you've got there! Just amazing. Remarkable. Kijk uit, you are going to get checked out in those jeans, they fit you like a dream!
ReplyDeleteI´ve pretty much given up on jeans since I can´t get them to look distressed in a good way...
ReplyDeleteThe Jalie pockets are the best! I´ve used them on other projects
I love the fit you have already. Some day I would like to sew this pattern out of curiosity!
ReplyDeleteThese are going to be terrific! even the muslin looks fantastic. Most muslins do not, so this is a very good omen.
ReplyDeleteI actually adore fitting posts! maybe I am crazy like that. Your muslin looks great for a first one.
ReplyDelete