Closet Core Patterns Ginger Jeans

These Ginger Jeans have been one of THE most satisfying makes! I’ve only made two pairs of simple elasticated waist trousers before so it was a bit of a leap, but at the end I was in shock that I had something that actually looked like a real pair of jeans! I sewed these on Guthrie&Ghani 2-day workshop which most definitely helped.

Fabric:

I used 11oz stretch denim from Guthrie&Ghani since you get 20% off fabric for their workshops. It’s pretty stretchy so these are really comfy.

The advice on the Closet Core website was not to interface the waistband if you wanted it not too stiff. My denim had quite a bit of stretch and after basting it together, I could see that the waistband had a lot of give, in fact my waistband piece had stretched by 2cm after trying it on a few times so I trimmed it back again. I ended up interfacing both the waistband and lining.

Fit:

I cut a straight size 8 which was closest to both my hip and waist measurements, and made the high-waisted stovepipe version. With the paper pattern, this means overlapping two pattern pieces, but it does say on their website that the PDF version has extra pieces that means this isn’t necessary.

They fit pretty well straight off. I took in 0.5cm at the sides seams over the hips (didn’t need to adjust the waistband). As I did this I realised it meant adjusting more pieces than I thought - front, back, front pocket pieces and yoke.

I reduced the depth of the yoke at centre back by 2.5cm. This resulted in a more rectangular yoke piece as I had lost some of the classic V-shape, so I may adjust this and the back leg pieces on the next version.

I shortened the pattern by 2.5cm at the knees, but then once I’d sewn them up I took another 8cm off the bottom hem. Something had obviously gone amiss with my measurement taking!

The high waist felt just right for me and in proportion, ie not too high around the natural waist but more around the belly button.

Having now gone through the process, sewing jeans is not nearly as scary as I thought.

My full review is on the blog, with lots more details and photos.

I’ve been putting off making my first pair of jeans for ages. I’ve been lurking at ginger jeans others were making and I had really high expectations from this pattern so it had a lot to live up to.

All I can say is that those expectations were surpassed ten fold. Instructions were great and they fit me straight from the envelope! I have the exact measurements for size 6 so I’d say trust the size chart because that works absolutely bang on.

I chose an outline of our wedding picture as the pocket design and I feel like they are even more precious and unique to me.

I now want more pairs ?

The most flattering pair of Jeans EVER!!!! Love the high-rise version. Love the pockets that get installed into the zip fly. Love the curve of the back pockets. And I love that I can wear crop tops again because of this pair of skinnies. For a full review, go to my blog: Geri In Stitches

This feels like a huge milestone and a great start to working on the ‘bottom’ half of my wardrobe.

What I didn’t realise is that by making these I have in fact produced the most comfortable pair of jeans I have owned in years. I’ve heard this said before from other bloggers/vloggers who had made up these jeans but I had never quite believed it.

The Ginger Jeans instructions were superb. I followed the guidance for basting for fitting at the beginning and followed the instructions for adjustments. As the seem allowance was a generous 16mm, I went straight in with my chosen fabric, a 11oz stretch (3%) denim in indigo. I didn’t want to make up a toile in fabric that wouldn’t react in exactly the same way.

In brief, my adjustments. I made the high rise skinny View B version.

Shortened pattern at the shorten line at the knee by 2 inches after noting I was 3 inches shorter than the drafted model.

Cut out an 8 on the hips grading to a size 12 at the waist, basted together (using a bright coloured thread)

Felt like a was wearing a huge nappy, so unpicked, and re cut to a size 8, grading to a size 10 at the waist.

Basted again. Much better but gaping at the small of my back. Unpicked waist band and yoke, recut yoke taking out a dart shaped wedge from both sides 2 inches from the centre.

Basted again. Again, much better. Took in 5mm each side from below the waistband to my hip.

Then made up with no further adjustments apart from another 2inches off the length although I now wish I had only taken off 1 inch!!

There's more images and details on my Love, Lucie blog including my recommended jeans making tools.

It was a while back but I made the Ginger Jeans View B. Have had so much wear out of them and I would definitely recommend giving them a try. No need to fear the jeans! Great pattern with easy to follow instructions.

Visit www.worthydesignstudio.com/pattern-reviews/ginger-jeans for the full review.