I came across Named Patterns a few weeks ago and was immediately enamoured with their Jamie jeans. I have been on a long quest to find the perfect jeans pattern. I've made several pairs of Jalie jeans and a couple of pairs of modified Jalies. The Jamies looked great in the pictures, but would they deliver in real life? Would the substitution of the 'l' for an 'm' produce substantial improvement in style, fit and general fabulousness?
I looked for reviews. There were none...until suddenly Novita appeared on my screen modelling a pair. Click, click and I'd bought the pattern within minutes!
I bought size 38-40 (10-12) based on their size chart. My waist measurement was closer to 40 and my hips were 38, so I graded accordingly between sizes from waist to hip. Other changes: nil. I made them from a sturdy denim with some, but not loads of, stretch.
So did they fit?
Did they ever!
I love the detailing on these jeans - the front, top-stitched seams, the two-part back pockets, the inside out denim piece on the front pocket opening. The overall shape of these is very on trend and flattering.
The pattern took an hour or so to arrive in my inbox, while I hopped from foot to foot and alternated between refreshing my email and checking the time zones between Finland and Perth. Suddenly there it was and I wasted no time printing it (only 12 pages), taping it together (easy) and tracing it (yes, you have to trace as the pieces overlap, but I didn't mind as I was experimenting with the size between waist and hip as previously mentioned). Quick note on the printing - the pattern suggested using A4 paper, which is standard in Australia, but the very bottom of each page was missing on my printout. I'm not sure why this was as the print size was accurate, but was easy enough to piece together anyway, so not a big deal.
Then I made them. In one (very long) day!
The instructions are clear, but there are no pictures. With careful reading and concentration, I was fine, but I have made jeans several times before. Newbies may struggle with some parts. I followed the instructions completely, but next time I will change the order of assembly. The pattern has you cut the fly of one front piece slightly narrower than the other side. My advice - DON'T. The zip was then inserted after the front and back pieces were sewn together and it just didn't work well for me at all. In the end, I unpicked the zip and sewed on a scrap of fabric to make the front fly pieces even again. I was slightly less of a happy camper at this point. Then I followed my favourite ever tutorial for fly insertion as best I could with the jeans assembled. Things were not perfect, especially with the tacked-on piece (luckily you can only see this when the zip is undone), but passable. Happy camperness was restored.
There is very little else I'd do differently next time (and there will be a next time, probably several). I will probably play around with the leg seams slightly, making the thighs a bit tighter and the calves a bit looser, just a little bit. A stretchier denim would probably produce a better fit.
So, nitpicking aside, is this the perfect jeans pattern? Well, I think these jeans are pretty damn close to perfect, especially for the first draft, so to speak. The fit, the detail and the style are all winners in my book. These have become my 'go to' jeans to be worn in preference to all others.
Sorry Jalie, I've got a new fav jeans pattern.
Jacket: Burdastyle Blouson Jacket 04/2013 #123. To be blogged soon.
Boots: Refashioned by moi.
25 comments:
They look great!! I do love a review that compares different patterns for those of us either yet to make the leap, or disheartened ;)
I especially love the pocket details, consider these 'pinned' for when I next get around to facing the 'pants challenge' ;) - and your boots look fabulous!! Thanks for posting.
Thank you so much! Don't get me wrong, Jalie is definitely running a close second to these and the Jalie instructions are excellent - they made me the jeanstress I am today!
I've been waiting for some more reviews of this pattern. These look great on your long legs! Wonder how they would look on my shorter ones?
Eeek - they look amazing on you!! This pattern was probably my favorite from their collection but I didn't buy them because I've never made jeans before and will need some serious remedial assistance while sewing. I don't know if I can resist anymore though!
These look fab. I saw Novita's too and now seeing yours I will have to try them (eventually after the 2 pairs of trousers I have traced out recently). They look really good and I love the dtails - pockets, seams etc. I have just finished sewing up an indigo tie dyed top!
Looks like a great pattern! Love your jeans! I'm too scared to make jeans myself...
I think these would look fantastic on you. Give em a go!
Thank you! You should definitely try these, just take it slowly and look up tutorials for any bits that seem confusing - or ask me, I'd love to help!
Yes, this is a great pattern. I can't wait to see your top!
Honestly, it's a lot less scary than it looks if you have a bit of sewing experience under your belt. Thanks for the comment.
Wow, wow, wow! I bow down to you!!! Jeans....with no photos?! I just finished my Blair Batwing Shirt (which I looooove) but don't think I'd have the courage for jeans! x
wow, well done, they look really amazing! I can't believe you made them so quickly. It took me weeks to get my last pair of trousers done. I think that jean success has a lot to do with good quality fabric, which you seem to have, but also your execution is really really fantastic. They suit you so well!
I love the detail and the style really suits you.
I belong to the jeans chicken club; too scared to have ever given them a go though really need new jeans. Mostly I'm put off by the experience of shortening a denim jacket when my machine couldn't cope with all those folded layers of thick denim. Your machine must be hardcore if you're sewing through boots as well!
Great job on your pants. I really like this pattern, too.
Your shirt looks fantastic and you are definitely up to sewing jeans!
Thank you! I can't help myself. Once I have something cut out I can't rest until it's finished - and I really wanted to finish these and wear them.
You are over qualified to make jeans! Yes, I do have a strong machine. I usually use my Bernina 1130, but it was in for repair so these were made on my spare machine, a Bernina 810. Both are old, metal, weigh a ton and will go on forever I'm sure. I never have any trouble sewing through anything.
Thank you, so pleased you like them.
These are great! They look better than RTW!
Your jeans look great! Thanks for linking your post up to my challenge!
Wow! That is one seriously good fitting pair of jeans you've sewn up. They look awesome on you!!!! I'm absolutely loving the reverse-side denim at the pockets AND the little pleat thing (have no clue on the technical name) down the centre front of each leg. It's a plan of mine to tackle pants/jeans post wedding next year (I plan a long way in advance) - so I'll definitely be keeping these as inspiration. Love 'em.
Wow these looks so great, just like the image on the pattern! I have this pattern and plan on tackling it over the next few weeks, your version is definitely inspiring!!
Wow! Awesome. These looks so great, and you know like actual jeans. That you would buy. I can't wait to tackle this pattern too.
Wow! You did a great job and these are awesome.
I love these! I *just* finished my first pair! My waist and hips were in different sizes so I did grade between patterns, but I don't think I needed to do that! I got frustrated with tracing, and am faster at taping, so I just printed three copies and cut each piece out. I'm so making another bazillion pairs! And some in black stretch twill for work. I love this pattern. Yours are what pushed me over into going for it! :D
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