I have tried several jeans patterns and always felt slightly frustrated, as none fit me the way I want them to fit. Then I did the jeans class at Workspace-FADS and it was a revelation.
We all brought in our favourite jeans (I don’t have a favourite pair, but pulled out my “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans”), and laid them on the table. We then used a product called “Press ‘n’ Seal”, which is used to seal food containers and which is slightly sticky on one side. (Australian viewers: You can only buy it here at the moment)
We smoothed it over a front and then a back and drew round the outside – pretty roughly by the looks of things!
and finished up with an outline of our jeans, which we were then able to trace out as a pattern. We then did a toile or two to finesse the fit.
A warning now: there are going to be some close up shots of my derriere!
This is my toile, using the same fabric as my final jeans. I always get this massive fold of fabric that Sarah pinched out for me. The fold runs all the way to the front, so there were some quite big adjustments to be made.
We were all measured, and some rather hysterical discussions ensued on the subject of crotch oddities!
Here is the final product for comparison with the first version. There is no way to ever completely eliminate the wrinkles as there has to be enough room to sit down, but the fit is as near to perfect as one can get.
I have to say that these are the most comfortable jeans I have ever worn, and I have worn them repeatedly since I finished them.
The fabric is a very stretchy cut corduroy which I bought as a remnant from Knitwit. I have had it for quite a while, so I’m glad to have made it up as it is lovely fabric. I still have some left, so may see if I can wrangle a jacket from it for next autumn.
they look amazing! nice with hat top too 🙂
What a great trick to copycat a favorite RTW garment! Thanks for documenting that class, Sue. Your new jeans look simply perfect. Higher waists are soooo trendy right now. Once again: great work!
Thanks Hélène, I can’t believe how comfortable a decent pair of jeans can be.
OMG!!!!
These are FABULOUS!!
How proud & happy you should Be!
😊😎💃🎯💥🙏
Thanks Pam, I’ve made a second pair which I think are even better. I shall blog them soonish.
What a great fit! I must admit my two pairs of Ginger jeans have frustrated the hell out of me – crotch oddities indeed! I’ve gone back to RTW but I might just have to try this trick!
I have made a couple of pairs of Ginger jeans and, really, it is a triumph of hope over optimism in terms of the fit. They always seem too big, no matter what size I make!
Yay, success at last! Your jeans look lovely. I wonder if clear Contact would work instead of Press n Seal for us kitchen paper-deprived Aussies? Your Facebook page is great too btw.
Hi Meg, refer to Leila’s comment, she gives a lovely alternative.
That’s a good idea, might give it a go!
The jeans look great! You’re lucky you had expert help for fitting them, since jeans are so hard to fit.
Since you mentioned that Press ‘n’ Seal isn’t readily available in Australia, I’ll share a similar method that I use to copy garments, which I actually prefer to using Press ‘n’ Seal since the resulting pattern is more stable.
I tape together scraps of paper into a rough shape a little smaller than the garment section I’m working on. Then I use clear box sealing tape around the edges of the paper and over the seams. I use tape only over detailed areas like pockets. Next I trace the seam lines with permanent marker. After peeling off the pattern, I put more scraps of paper under the tape and cut out the pattern, which I trace onto good paper, true up, etc.
Thanks Leila, this looks really interesting and much cheaper than the Press ‘n’ Seal. I shall give it a try!
Great fit Sue. And they look particularly warm.
Thanks Roma, they are nice.
You did a fine job! Your jeans look great! Fitting anything is always a challenge, but the garment at the end is a great reward! I do remember reading that you should never get rid of all the wrinkles or you will never be able to sit down – it struck me as a funny thing to do!
Thanks Linda, it is tempting to get rid of the wrinkles, but, the pants wouldn’t stretch far enough to sit down, so there are always going to be few!
Wow! They looks perfect, you got the length spot on too, that’s one area that can make or break a look. These are seriously good, can’t wait to see how the next pair compare.
Thanks Annie, the next pair are a summer version, so quite different!
Sue, well done! They look really great!
Thank you Anna!
Great looking pair of jeans and the fit looks amazing. Well done!
Thank you!
Wow, you have the perfect jeans. Ive read about a similar pattern making technique using masking tape, this looks much better and very effective.
It works a treat. The tricky bit was perfecting the fit.
what a geat method of getting a pattern from a garment. nice jeans too
It works a treat. It would be good for any RTW garment.
I knew I purchased two rolls of the Press n Seal when I was in the USA for copying RTW but have so far not managed it. Now you have inspired me to have a go as your jeans looks perfect and good to hear they are so comfortable.
The fit looks really good Sue.
A great jeans pattern is like money in the bank. Yours looks great and I am sure you will finesse it further to enjoy many times.
Thanks Kim, Yes, I probably do still need to finesse a bit, but I’m definitely on the way!
Maybe not ‘need’ – but you will anyway!