Just a few sentences about my initial impression of the J Stern jeans after my first muslin.
I have mixed feelings, which I always get when something doesn't fit me right out of the envelope. Which means I feel this way about 99.99% of the things I make. ;-)
1. They are definitely shaped like modern jeans. I am not.
I do not have thin legs. I added an additional 1/2" to inseam and outseam before cutting my muslin and the first try does fit my leg width. (This is actually a good sign for me, especially since I had serious doubts when looking at the pattern pieces.)
2. They are very low-rise. I am not.
I added about 1.5" to the rise of these jeans, front and back, before cutting out and they are still very low. I didn't sew on the waistband yet and that will help some. But I will definitely need more crotch length for these to feel comfortable.
3. They are designed for very long legs. I am not.
The pattern knee hits about 3-4" below my knee and I'm drowning in the overall leg length. And I'm NOT that short (about 5'5.5") nor are my legs proportionately short.
On the bright side, all of these issues are fairly simple to fix and the pattern is marked very well both for body landmarks and lengthen/shorten lines. The pieces all fit together exactly right and the instructions seem thorough and even friendly. I do admit to not reading them completely yet because I can sew jeans in my sleep.
I will make these adjustments in spurts during the week and will cut and sew another muslin. At that point, I'll be ready to evaluate my usual fit issues which are being masked by the various lengths being wrong for me.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
18 comments:
Thank you for each and every comment. I appreciate them all, but I have to be honest and let you know that I'm usually bad about answering questions. I hope you understand that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to do.
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Thanks for the comments on this pattern, Debbie. I just ordered it and I have similar issues (not tall, definitely not thin legs, prefer a waistband at my natural waist). But I also need additional jeans desperately, so will forge ahead once it arrives. Good to know the major lines are well marked too, so I can shorten the legs where I need to!
ReplyDeleteAs the saying goes, misery loves company! I dance a jig when something fits out of the envelope - seldom happens. I look forward to reading about your fixes. I really do plan to make a pair of jeans this summer:).
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your thoughts on these jeans. If they have a RTW fit, I can't wear them. I made McCall 5142, relaxed fit version. It needs a couple of fixes, like reshaping the front pocket.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could make jeans! I just don't do well with waistbands, and my topstitching stinks. And fly fronts continue to scare me despite my successfully making them before...
ReplyDelete"I am not," over and over, is a great line. Let's face it, I don't think any of us are "out of the envelope" people. I don't know who they draw for, but it doesn't seem to be real people. And low rise jeans for real adult women? C'mon! They only work on my 18 to 22 year old daughters who are rail thin!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review on this pattern. I was curious too!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am most of those things (well, maybe not thin legs, but short hipped and long legged) so maybe they'll work for me! Look forward to reading your additional thoughts.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I was hoping you would give us the dirt on these patterns. :) I like a couple of them.
ReplyDeleteBtw, it's down to the Janome 1100D and the Bernina 1150MDA. I'm seriously leaning towards the Bernina. I read the Janome manual last night for the 1200D and it turned me off completely, so it's off the list. At least until tomorrow when I change my mind for the trillionth time. LOL!
What pattern is this? I have not heard of J Stern patterns.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie - I now know this is not the pattern for me being 5"1and not finding much else in your remarks that would make me think I could get it to work. I'll bet the knee would be at my ankle and no telling what else would be wrong on me. I am sure you will make it work but I know I would be in trouble with this one. mssewcrazy
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie! I have the pattern but maybe I shouldn't even consider trying it now. We'll see...
ReplyDeleteWhoa. Your patience in cutting--*and* sewing--two muslins is quite an inspiration. Especially when you can sew jeans in your sleep, so you don't need to make them for trying out the procedure. You know what I love about your sewing? That you really want your garments right for you. Whether it's knickers or jeans, it seems like the sheer desire to do things well for yourself motivates you; rather than a finicky perfectionism. Love that!
ReplyDeleteGosh, Debbie. Everything you kind of dislike about them is everything I would like :) . I'm sold and will check them out. Usually doesn't work that way, huh?
ReplyDeleteAlso, do you have a link to this pattern, Debbie?
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that I'm not the only one that's getting a little tire of the rain. We asked for some rain and got a lot of it in return. By the time my bus made it from downtown Tampa to Brandon, I had to swim to my front door. What happened to the sunshine??
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your jeans. I just learned about J Stern today. Awesome patterns. Too bad I need another pattern like a need a hole in my head. But, then again, I'm easily swayed.
Always great to have someone else give their findings out first before I head out and buy. Thanks!
ReplyDeletewow!!! thank u very much for all this information. Keep on supplying such useful information. It really is interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, Thank you for such a thoughtful review of the Women's Jeans pattern. ...It's hard to draft a pattern for everyone in one envelope (I did base this pattern on my friend's figure, a healthy size 16...and she made them out of the envelop with a minimum of adjustment. Please let me know if I can help in any way...It' sounds like your doing well, but I always welcome email questions, suggestions or comments (I'd love to chat)
ReplyDeleteI always send Jeans patterns out in the mail with a little wish that I could go with it and help the sewer girl on the other side fit the pattern : )