Ginger Jeans

For as long as I can remember, I’ve never been a jeans person. When I was a kid, much to my mother’s chagrin, I would refuse to wear jeans. As a teenager, I owned a couple of flares because they looked so good… on others. But on my short-legged self, they always felt goofy. Then as a young adult during the skinny jeans era, I had a few pairs but I never liked how they visually accentuated parts of my body that I really didn’t want to be accentuated. I figured jeans just weren’t for me (or I wasn’t for jeans) and stuck to dresses as a result.

But that was then. Since becoming a part of the sewing community these past few years, I’ve read many sewists’ experiences about making their own jeans and have (belatedly) come to realize that my aversion to jeans really comes down to fit. Fit can be fixed! So a couple of weeks ago, I decided to make myself a pair.

I picked the Gingers Jeans because of its wonderful reviews and how amazing they look on many body types. Also, there are many online resources for this pattern, including the sew along, some fit tips and even a jean-making class by Closet Case (which I’m considering taking for my next pair). I felt confident embarking on this jeans-making journey with the Ginger Jeans.

Based on my waist measurement, I cut a size 4 of the high waist version.

What I did:

• I removed about 1 inch of the leg length in the middle of the pattern. The rest of the length adjustment was removed at the hem.
• After basting the pieces to check out the fit, I noticed that I had more horizontal pull line on one side than the other. So I let out the right hip side seam a bit and it looks way more balanced and comfortably snug.
• I also let out the side seams in the knee and calf area to accommodate my large knees!
• And for the back pockets placement, I raised them by 1/2 inch.

Overall, I found the process of making jeans to be involved and really exciting. Although I’m not 100% happy with the fit, I think it looks better than any pair of jeans that I’ve ever bought and I’m motivated to keep at it. My second pair will be better!

What I would do for the next pair:

• I would let out the side seams at the knee even more as it still feels a bit too tight in that area, even for a skinny fit.
• I would also raise the waist a little. It’s supposed to fit just above the belly button but mine is slightly pocking so adding 1/2 inch would probably do the trick.
• I also noticed that after a few hours of wearing them, the denim at the waistband is stretching out and it doesn’t look great so I’m considering interfacing the waistband for the next version.
• Pocket stitching and rivets! I’m looking forward to adding more personalized details to my next pair.

The fabric:

I used a white stretch denim with the recommended 2% lycra. It was great to work with. However, I only realized after I put the jeans on that they were a bit see-through and that the pocket stay shows 😦 I think they are still wearable but I would definitely pick a thicker denim for my next version or perhaps use a nude color fabric for the pocket stay.

Now, some pictures:

Thanks for looking!

-Emmanuelle