Closet Case Files Ginger Jeans Sew Along

For some reason, this week's Ginger Jean sew along post has not made it up on the Sew News blog. So, I thought that rather than make you wait, I would go ahead and share the post here. In this week's post, we make flat-felled seams, my favorite! We also attach the back pockets and sew up the jeans. Once the post is upon the Sew News blog, the link will be added to my Sew News Sew Along Links page which you can find HERE. By the way, I added links to all of the sew alongs I've done for Sew News, so if you would ever like to refer back to a post, it's now super easy to do :)     

The Sew News 

Ginger Jeans Sew Along 

Week 3

Blue jeans began as the quintessentially American garment. They were originally designed by Levi Strauss to meet the needs of a rugged garment for miners and cowboys. In the 1950's, blue jeans were embraced by teenagers and a movement began. Quite simply, people across the world love their jeans.

It was those humble beginnings that gave us the sturdy seams that we love and today, look upon as being decorative. A flat-felled seam is a must in a great pair of jeans. If you've never stitched one, you are in for a treat! 

The first flat-felled seam that you will make on the Ginger Jeans is the back hip yoke. 

Begin by stitching the yoke to the back pant, wrong sides together. Note that the heavy decorative thread is on the yoke side. 

Trim only the lower seam allowance in half. Be careful not to cut through the top seam allowance. Trust me, it can happen, I've done it!!!

Now press the seam down toward the bottom of the pant leg.

Fold up the bottom edge of the seam allowance.

And stitch down.

The result is a beautifully finished seam.

On the inside of the garment, the seam finish is smooth and the seam allowance can no longer rub against the body. One of the reasons that we find jeans so very comfortable to wear.  

The next step will be to attach the back pockets.

Dots have been provided for placement. Be sure to transfer the dots to the pant leg.

A pattern has been provided for the interfacing needed for the top edge of the back pockets. Please do not skip this step. 

Once the pockets have been interfaced, mark a line 3/4" down from the top edge. This will be the fold line. Fold down and press.

Fold the bottom edge of the seam under and press.

Edge stitch across the top and then stitch again as you see below. Press under the side and bottom edge of the pocket, 1/2". Be careful to not press out the curve on the one side.

If you would like to add a decorative design to the pocket, now is the time to do so.

Pin the pocket to the back pant leg, matching it to the dots provided. If you would like, you can baste the pocket to the pant leg, but the pins really should hold it in place.

Stitch around the edge of the pocket and then again as you see below. Angling the second stitching line at the top edge of the pocket will ensure that the seam is hidden inside the stitching.

At this point, baste the back seam allowance and the legs seams together. Try them on for fit. You can easily make adjustments to the crotch and back seam at this point.

Once any adjustments have been made, take out the basting stitches and sew up the center back seam with a flat-felled seam.

Sew the inner leg together with a flat-felled seam.

The inner leg will be nice and smooth on the inside.

The side seam of the jeans cannot be sewn as a flat-felled seam. Simply sew the side seam together with right sides facing. If you do not have a serger to finish the seam, a zigzag seam finish will work quite well. Once the seam has been zigzagged, trim down the seam allowance.
    

On the outer side of the jeans, edge stitch the side seam seam allowance from the waist to the end of the pocket. If you would like, you can do a bar tack at the end of the stitching. I did not, I just backstitched at the end of the seam.

At this point, our jeans are together! The front looks great,

And so does the back!

Our final steps will be to make the belt loops, attach the waistband, make the buttonhole, attach the jean button, and hem the legs. Just a few more steps and it's slip on time!!!

I don't know about you, but I am now addicted to this pattern. I've purchased fabric for 3 more pair! 

Good luck with your flat-felled seams.

Until next time...

Sew On!

Rhonda 

Ginger Jeans/Pockets and The Front Fly

I'm an early riser. I love getting up to a dark and quiet house. When Little Bit was still with us, the moment she heard my feet hit the floor, she too would yawn, stretch, and make her way out from wherever she was sleeping at the moment. And of course, Gracie would follow. On cool mornings, I would go downstairs, make my tea, come back up stairs, and light the fire. Little Bit would snuggle into the chair beside me, while Gracie would go back to sleep in the adjoining room. With her heavy coat, she's not a big fan of being warm. Now that Little Bit is gone, Gracie sees no point in following me around during the early hours of the day. I get up, and she snuggles in a little closer to my husband, no longer concerned that Little Bit may get something that she would miss out on ;) So now the house is truly quiet when I rise. 

It's a cold and wet morning here in Chicago. A fabulous day for a fire and a cup of tea. I enjoy coming back upstairs, lighting the fire and opening my email. Not today, horror of horrors, the internet was out!!! As I went from my phone, to my laptop, to the desk top computer, I had to laugh as I thought about a commercial that makes me laugh each and every time I see it. It's a little creepy, sad...and funny, especially the last scene where he sets off a flare. I've shared it below. Maybe it will start your day off with a smile as well :)   



Now that we've had a morning laugh, or have been totally creeped out!!,  I wanted to let you know that my new post is up for the Ginger Jeans sew along on the Sew News blog. You can find it HERE. 

In this week's post, we install the front pockets

As well as the fly front zipper. Take note that at this point, the zipper will extend above the waistline. If you have never installed a fly front zipper, you are in for a treat. I think they are the easiest to install, and by far, my favorite! 

When installing the pockets, remember that there is a pocket stay, which I absolutely love as it not only holds the pocket in place, but acts as a tummy control panel as well. Both the pocket lining and the pocket stay should be made out of a 100% cotton fabric. I used quilting cotton for my pockets.

In this post, I also show you how to sew the pockets so that there is a beautifully finished seam. Not only does it look great, it's also a little more durable. 

Next week, I'll put up a Link Party so that if you are making the jeans, you can share your pictures.

If by chance you have not purchased a pattern, you can find the PDF version HERE at Shop Sew It All. Or you can find a printed paper pattern HERE at Closet Case Files. If you do opt for the PDFversion, there is a copy shop version, so no taping!!!

Have a wonderful day, and may a little laughter come your way :)
Rhonda

Ginger Jeans Sew Along Begins!

Just wanted to let you all know that my first post for the sew along is upon the Sew News blog and you can find it HERE.

This week we talk a little more about the jeans and some of the subtle details that make them so very special, like the curve of the back pockets.

We also talk about notions, like the proper zippers, needles and thread.

If you would prefer not to shop, Heather has put together a nice package of the notions that you will need. It includes a metal zipper, rivets, jean buttons, and denim needles. You can find the package HERE.

Heather has also put together a wonderful Ebook on sewing your own jeans. One chapter is devoted to fitting and pattern adjustments. The Ebook has some fun extras like;

Inserting ankle zippers

Turning your skinny jeans into flared jeans

You can find the Ebook HERE. I think it's a great addition for your jean sewing toolbox.  

So pop over to the Sew News blog, check out the post and by all means gather your supplies so we can get started on our jeans next week!

If by chance you have not purchased your pattern, you can find it HERE at Shop Sew It All.

Dreaming In Blue Jeans/The Winner of the Ginger Jeans Pattern

Blue jeans, the magical garment that transcends time and fashion. Yves St. Laurent was quoted as saying, 

"I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity....All of which I hope for in my clothes."

I hope that you'll join me over the next 4 weeks as I sew up my next pair of Ginger Jeans from Closet Case Files, and hopefully guide you through the process of making a fabulous pair of jeans. 

As always, I wish I had a pattern for each and every one of you, but sadly, there's only 1. 

The winner of the Ginger Jeans pattern form Closet Case Files is...

Siouxzeegirl!!!!!!!!

Congratulations! Be sure to email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your mailing info so I can pass it along.

The first post for the sew along should be up soon. I'll let you know as soon as it hits the internet airwaves :)

In the meantime, if you would like to grab a pattern of your own, you can find it HERE at Shop Sew It All.

Magazine Winners and a Free Pattern!!!

Rather than our usual Monday Morning Inspiration post, I have something fantastic to share. Be sure to scroll on down, because I think that many of you won't want to miss this opportunity :)

Last week I posted my Ginger Jeans. I won't tell you how many times I wore them before they finally made it into the washing machine. Shame on me! On the positive side, I REALLY love wearing the jeans, so a great example of what a wonderful pattern it is. 

Our first order of business is to announce the winners of the October/November issues of Sew News. 

And the winners are...

Subshaw

Sewalatte

Christine C

Congratulations!!!!

Be sure to email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your mailing info so I can get the magazines out to you.

AND NOW.....THE BIG NEWS!!!!!!! 

I have a Ginger Jeans pattern to give away!!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't own the pattern, but think you might like to give the jeans a try, be sure to leave a message on this post.

The winner will be announced next Monday, October 17, 2016. So you have until midnight on October 16th to enter the drawing.

A BIG THANK YOU to Heather Lou, the designer and master mind behind Closet Case Files Patterns for giving me the opportunity to give away a pattern. Such a wonderful way to kick off a sew along.  

Good Luck!!!

I'm In Love....With A Pair Of Jeans!!!!

When I make a garment for Sew News, it gets shipped off and then I have to wait months for it to come back. This is the killer part, especially if I really like the garment. I'm sure you are just like me, once you get the garment made, you want to wear it, not wait! Once I finished the Ginger Jeans from Closet Case Files, I slid them on and I was in blue jean heaven, and it almost killed me to put them in a box and ship them off. 

Well, the wait is over, thank goodness. They were sent back last Thursday, but since I was in Peoria for the Sew Special weekend seminar, I didn't get to open the package until this last Sunday. Once they were out of the box, I must confess, I have had the jeans on everyday since! It might be time to throw them in the wash ;)

I had an appointment with my dermatologist yesterday. While I was waiting, no one was in the waiting room and there was a huge mirror, so I popped out my camera and took a picture. It's not the best picture, but at least you get an idea. I will take more as I know I will be wearing the jeans, to death! By the way, the top I'm wearing is from THIS Thrifty Thursday post. I get compliments every time I wear it.

If you've made it to this point in the post, congratulations as I have 3 magazines to give away!!! The new October/November issue is out and it is full great articles and fun projects. 

There's a fabulous article on making better buttonholes.

I am going to have to give this blouse a try. 

Rather than a traditional ruffle, it's actually twisted.

A free pattern download for these super cute placemats. You can find the pattern HERE.

And another free pattern download for this great bag from Tula Pink. You can find the pattern HERE.

And finally, my article on the Ginger Jeans pattern. This is really all they needed to publish...

I LOVE THIS PATTERN!!! :)

I made the high waisted version for the magazine. As you can see below, there is a lower waisted version with a straighter leg. I hope to get those made next week so I can show them to you before the sew along begins.

If you think you might like to join the sew along and make a fabulous pair of jeans, you can find the pattern HERE. 

If you would like to win 1 of the 3 magazines I have to give away, just leave a message on this post. I'll announce the winner on Monday, October 10, 2016.

My New Happy Pants!

Well, they aren't really pants, they're jeans, and I cannot wait until I can once again slide into them.

The new issue of Sew News just came out, so since it is officially on the newsstand, I can finally show you the jeans I made using the Closet Case Files Ginger Jean pattern.  I simply LOVE this pattern. I did not do a muslin, I just made them up, slid into them, and all I had to do was take them in just a bit at center back, which I usually have to do with every pair of pants that I make. All in all, a perfect fit!

I went crazy with all the stitching. The center back seam, as well as the yoke seam are flat felled seams.    

The flat felled seams make for such a clean finish on the inside.

The jeans feature a coin pocket. So authentic.

The pattern suggests using a contrasting fabric for the lining of the pocket.

The front pockets are designed with a tummy panel, giving the illusion of a flatter tummy.

Rather than doing the button and buttonhole, I opted to do a snap. Whenever I make things for the magazine, I always try to think about options for those who may have some limitations, be it machine wise or skill wise.

The front fly is so well designed. Better than some jeans you pay lots of money for.

The back pockets were designed to follow the shape of a woman's body. Take note that one side has a curve.

I did flat felled seams on the inseam of the jeans.

Having a flat felled seam on the inseam gives a very flat finish on the inside of the leg and will make the jeans more comfortable to wear. 

The finished front,

and the back.

The jeans are finished off with a stitched hem.

Now that the magazine is out, I should be getting the jeans back in the next week or so. I am so happy as I have been waiting for months to finally be able to wear them!!!

You can follow along in October as the sew along will begin on October 17th. That means I get to make another pair! YEA!!!!!