You can have no idea how grateful I am to your timely collab. I'm the same height, sort of hourglass, with a few more years. I've been umming and aahing about jeans for far too long. The pattern you've chosen is exactly what I want, so I'm unashamedly going to copy you. Probs straight leg first for wearing with knee boots, boot cut if I totally nail the fit, because I love the shape. I know you'll do this brilliantly, so big thanks in advance. Off now to check out Karen Marie. x
Rachael, I've made 4 pairs of Ash jeans and plan number 5 for Autumn. I think you will love the process and will be hooked on making more. The instructions are very clear for megan neilsen patterns, so I think you'll be fine. I'm looking forward to seeing your finished jeans.
What a great idea Rachel. I’ve made the Isle jeans as a preparation for a pair of traditional jeans with all the hardware and contrasting topstitching. I have the Megan Nielsen Dawn jeans and I’ve had the denim for almost a year now so I’m definitely up for jumping on board 😁👌😍
Hi Rachel - I've done a lot of the Ash jeans! 😉 5 I think.... I have to say I rather like all the topstitching, hardware, etc. The instructions are very good about reminding you when to switch threads and such. I make things a little easier on myself by using Coats Heavy Duty (upholstery?) thread instead of specific top-stitching thread. I can keep the jeans needle in throughout, and just turn up the tension a little for the topstitching. A second machine does save a lot of time if you've got one!
Hi Lynn! That’s a great recommendation for the pattern if you made loads. That’s a really good idea about the second machine! I’ll definitely be doing that!!! Thanks so much for watching
Fab collaboration!! Look forward to seeing and hearing how you get on. Jeans are way out of my comfort zone right now, so it might be me watching again in 3 years time lol. I used to like mid rise jeans, but then twins!! So high waisted make me feel more slim these days lol xx
I'm looking forward to seeing your new jeans. I made many pairs of jeans when I was in college and in my twenties. Haven't made too many pairs since. When I was in college hip huggers were in and I loved them because I am really short and on me they were mid-rise. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the journey.
Really looking forward to following this process Rachel. I know that you will do it with ease. I would never make jeans. Way too much for me. Good luck and enjoy😀
I am 5 10” and my favourite jeans I have made are the Ash jeans. Instructions are great and although lots of steps none of them are particularly difficult. If you have access to two sewing machines I find it very helpful to have one set up with topstitching thread otherwise you spend a lot of time rethreading your machine with the different threads. I am sure you will enjoy the make and of course there is a great sense of achievement at the end!
Hi Valerie! That’s really good to hear! Do you lengthen the pattern? I’m lucky to have two machines so I’ll definitely try to have one purely for top stitching.. great tip. Thank you!!!
@@TheFrenchSeams_vlog no, didn’t need to lengthen - and that’s a first. Would recommend watching Janine Sews. She went to a masterclass and condenses some top tips some of which I will try on my next pair, I have made several pairs in denim and cord so far! I particularly liked her tip on the waistband to make the buttonhole easier as that is always a bugbear with me. Happy sewing.
Ahh brilliant ❤. I’ve chatted to you before about patterns for us tall girls. I made my first pair of jeans a couple of months ago and for the same reason as you, I made the Ash jeans. Absolutely love them! A really satisfying sew. I had to considerably lengthen crotch (I’m also 5’9”) and found the top of waist band slightly out of alignment (have heard others say that too) so it might be worth checking. I also bought a rubber mallet to flatten seams (not joking) and had real fun with topstitching and did chain stitch round the hem. Is it wrong to enjoy the incredulity and kudos you get when you say “I made them”? First pair slim leg and planning flare next … Have fun - you’ll love them! ❤
Ah, Rachael, what a great collaboration. I have 3 fabrics for jeans in my stash. I wish I could join you but I'm still focused on finishing a few things before our upcoming Canadian vacation. I feel a bit guilty about being retired and wanting and needing a vacation but we're going and I'm excited. Perhaps I can join you in September when we return . I'm curious about how you are planning the toile. Looking forward to future vlogs on jeans. For help with your jeans, check out Johanna from The Last Stitch. She has written a book all about making jeans and it's excellent. Take care-Claudia
Hi Claudia! Glad you enjoyed the video! That makes total sense that you have holiday sewing going on.. very exciting!! Definitely join in when you get back! I’ll definitely check out that book too, thank you for that recommendation!
I think having a well fitting pair of jeans would be a kind of prize. I have made one pair of jeans and it was a lot of steps, but not hard. The top stitching seemed to go on forever.
What a fabulous idea for us all, thank you so much for hosting a challenge that's flexible and no rules! I love making Burda 6534 as the shape is perfect on me but I've never made it in a blue denim. The problem I come across is getting sort of 'worn in' denim that won't make the jeans scream home made which the pairs I've done before have 😂 I will be very interested to see the fabric you buy. The pattern looks such a versatile one and I have complete confidence in you for being able to make them, you make some really complicated patterns, a zip fly will not phase you at all 😊. Great video thank you both ❤
Thanks Carole! Yes it’s very low key!!! I totally agree about them looking homemade… you’re so right! I’m so scared of a fly zip!!! Sounds very daunting! Hopefully the toile will help! Thanks so much for watching xx
What a great collaboration. Jeans are such a wardrobe staple. Janine Sews has a blog about sewing jeans and has a great tip for the waistband where the button hole is situated. I highly recommend checking it out. I made my first pair of jeans by cutting apart a worn out pair that fit me perfectly. I used that pattern quite a few times. Unfortunately, during a move the pattern must have gone to the garbage. Good luck with the jeans.
That’s a great tip for the button hole, thank you I’ll check it out! What a shame that your pattern got lost!!!! I’m really looking forward to getting started 🤞🏻🤞🏻
I made the Ginger Jeans by Closet Core a few years ago. I made the low rise, skinny version. I also have Johanna Lundstrom's book Making Jeans. She's brilliant. One trap I fell into was cutting out on double layer and ending up with the twisted leg, the jeans not me! Next time I'll be cutting out on the single layer, measuring from the selve edge and drawing gridlines on the fabric because twisted leg is so annoying!
That is a really good tip. Cutting out on a single layer and turning the pattern pieces 180 degrees is a good way of preventing that. Thanks for the reminder!
At the beginning of the year I made the Dawn jeans by Megan Neilson I'm so glad you are having a go at making jeans its great fun, I didn't get the fit quite right as I have a flat bottom but they are wearable and I've learnt a lot ready for my next pair good luck I will be following you xx
Wow very exciting! I have shyed away from jeans but just did trouser fitting so I may have a think about this! I have been looking at nice stretch fabric at Craftystudio- nice fuchsia and kaka colours as well as standard blue and black.
Great idea for a challenge! I made a pair of jeans a few months ago and they really weren't successful! I really struggled with the zip fly and I put the button in the wrong place so they're very uncomfortable 😖. I used a simplicity pattern but I might take this opportunity to make them again along with you.❤
Oh dear.. that sounds like you didn’t have a great experience! You’d be more than welcome to join in! It should be good fun and we can encourage each other along the way
