Well, I’m pleased to report that the weekend saw some progress on the jeans front.
I inserted the fly zip and the pocket linings:
The fly guards and the pocket linings are a remnant of quilting cotton from my stash.
I had already purchased the jeans zip before I watched the Palmer Pletsch DVD. They suggest using a normal dress zip to reduce bulk, and I’d be tempted to try that next time.
The yokes are also sewn to the back jeans and topstitched:
To me the yoke is the wrong way round…even though that’s the way it was on the jeans I destroyed cut up for a pattern. Assuming these jeans turn out ok…next time around I’ll be redrafting that yoke, but it’s fine for now.
The topstitching is a variagated denim blue. I like the subtle effect of the denim thread on denim fabric, and it makes a nice change from the traditional gold thread.
Whilst the whole of this project is a learning curve for me, the biggest thing I’ve learned is that the choice of denim makes all the difference. My denim skirt is made from a heavier weight rigid denim and was a dream to sew.
This is a lighter weight (although not lightweight) stretch denim, and it’s an absolute bear to sew with. It wiggles and fidgets and is generally quite moody. That said, I think they’ll be more comfortable to wear in the summer months.
As an aside I always wore stretch denim in RTW because the fit was so awful and the give in the fabric made them bearable. I think I’d like to see how they work out in a more rigid denim now that I’m addressing the fit.
It seems that so far I’ve not been put off making jeans! I’m making notes to myself of what I’d change next time out, so I’m taking this as a positive sign.
Next up is sewing on the back pockets and then I’m ready to put them all together and checking the fit. Slightly daunting but I have time to build myself up to it. We have a very busy week Chez Stitches. We have dance rehearsals, the show itself on Friday and Saturday nights, I have studying, I’m sitting on Adoption Panel this week and we also have a parent’s evening at Button’s new school. All good stuff but little time for the sewing machine. Hopefully at the weekend I’ll get an hour in the sewing loft and get the pockets on, then I’m on the home stretch, if you’ll excuse the pun!
Busy, busy but it´s all looking fantastic. Love the stitching colour – I´ve never been a fan of the gold colour they tend to use. And like you, I tend to wear stretch denim so it will be interesting if you ever tackle a pair in another fabric!
I do think you have to be careful with the gold. It can look a little too much if there’s too much contrast. I do think I’m going to have to try a second pair in rigid denim…purely for scientific reasons, dontcha know! 😉
I love the contrast of the pocket linings
Thank you…I just rummaged through the oddments and found a piece big enough. I’m pleased with them.
I love the pocket linings too- just adds that little bit of “chic” I think
Thank you…I like that little surprise that you can’t immediately see.
These are going to be great – I too like the pocket dots fabric and the thread colour. Also, very interesting observation about the weight of the denim too and as there is probably a pair of jeans in my sewing future I’m storing this tidbit away until then. I hope you get that hour sewing time and some.
I hope it helps…I’d love to see your version too. As for the sewing hour…the kids are currently in bed…… 😉