Last time I blogged about my Named Clothing Jamie Jeans, I expressed a certain discontent with the fit and alluded to the fact that I thought I had it sorted out. Well I hadn’t, but I thought I would show you my progress, so that when I do crack the fit we can all party!
Most of my issues are with the back, so I’ll show that first.
I still have a lot of wrinkles under my backside. I really took in these jeans and can’t imagine how I have any room for wrinkles, but nope, they’re still there!
The front is not too bad, but there is a little wrinkle just peeking round the corner of my thigh on my left, and a small “bubble” on my right inner thigh. These bubbles are common and drive me insane.
The jeans are clearly too long – I find it really hard to get things turned up to the correct length when I’m on my own – and that’s why I have a few wrinkles around the bottom of the legs.
OK a close inspection of my rear end shows that the pockets aren’t flattering and are far too low, emphasising the wrinkles. 
These are skinny jeans and all the versions I’ve looked at online appear to be skin tight. Mine are quite loose. This reminds me of the 1960s when everyone sat in boiling baths in their jeans to shrink them to their legs, and then had to lay on the bed to zip them up. No matter how long I sat in a hot bath, my jeans were always baggy. I did have to lay on the bed to do them up though, as my waist does not match my legs!!
A side view highlights the problems with the back, and I am constantly pulling the jeans up as they feel as though they are sitting a bit low at the back. I think that the jeans are still a little big in the waist.
In spite of the fit issues I have worn these jeans a lot. Much more often than the original blue pair. Today I teamed them with a top which I traced from a RTW top I used to own. I am a bit agitated by the bust wrinkles, but made another one with a FBA and the wrinkles didn’t really go, so I wonder if the armholes are too high. The original was just like this and didn’t bother me at all, so go figure! The fabric for the top was originally white with yellow spots which looked rather juvenile to me, so I dyed it with a combination of green and brown and got this rather delectable colour. I dyed some plain fabric in the same dyepot and got a fabulous coordinating fabric just perfect for a pair of Hudsons. Then Mark told me that he’d love it made up into a t-shirt. No contest, the fabric was his and I’ve already made it up!
All fabric in this post came from Knitwit.
As I write this post I have a new pair of Jamie Jeans made and waiting to be worn. I took a completely different approach to this next pair thanks to my patternmaking class. I’ll be back with details soon!
I wonder if the stiffness and low placement of the back pockets could be ‘pushing’ a wrinkle into existence by not letting the fabric take on the shape of your body as easily? Eagerly awaiting your solution, Jo
It does look like that, I agree. I initially thought about making the pockets smaller, but finished up changing them completely and raising them.
Sitting in a bath wearing my jeans never worked for me either. These are looking better and I’m interested to see the next ones. Your hair is looking great too!
Aren’t you a bit young for the bath shrinkage method? Next ones are slightly better but I still have a wrinkle or two. I need a bigger bum!
I’m working on similar fit issues and have been advised to increase the inseam and therefore the curve of the crotch
Then alter the width at the side seam to get a better fit
Yes, I lengthened the crotch curve on version 3 and they are much better.
I had never heard of sitting in a boiling bath to shrink jeans – what a drastic idea! I’m watching your jeans fitting adventures with interest although I have no clue about a potential solution. But you are so determined, I guess we will celebrate your victory soon. Bonne chance!!
I have made version 3 and they are already packed awaiting your opinion!!
I think the pockets are at least part of the problem & I’ll be interested to know the solution.
Isn’t it funny how we don’t really notice fit in the same way when we buy rather than make? I have that problem with some tops but I’ve never thought about why. The draping book Em sent me may have the answer if I can follow it
I have redesigned the pockets and raised them. I agree re fit for RTW. I have made a new top and compared the two patterns and I think that the armholes need to be bigger. This is the problem with copying something that probably didn’t fit well in the first place!
You have got me intrigued about how you went about the next version. These are better but there a lot of wrinkles in the back leg which shouldn’t be there in a perfect world.
I have spent hours examining other versions of these jeans online, and many of them are wrinkled too. I have improved the fit a bit by starting from scratch but I’ve lost weight so my block probably needs to be redone. Doh!!
If I look at your upper legs you have beautiful thin legs. Perhaps the other versions are all worn by women who have a greater upper size leg. Speaking for myself I’m a cyclist and rower and have great upper legs than average due to the muscles. The fabric of the top is really beautiful. The yellow dots sparkles.
I think the other jeans on the web are indeed worn by rather more generously endowed women than me! I am a walker (used to be a runner), so my legs are quite lean, but they’ve always been really thin, which is a problem for tight jeans! I like my top fabric now that it’s dyed, too.
I am in awe of your patience. I hate trying to fit pants, and almost never make them unless they are loose and flowing.
I can see why, Roxane. I actually really like wide legged trousers that fall from the hip as I think they suit my figure best.
I think your jeans fit perfect! If I could make a pair with the exact same fit I would be a happy camper. They aren’t too tight nor too loose. They look comfortable and flattering.
Thank you Karen, I appreciate the comment. I am just about done tweaking jeans!
http://www.silhouettepatterns.com/html/media/livestreamchannel/replay_04_29_2013.htm
Peggy demonstrates how a pants pattern gets drafted so we can understand why these don’t fit… like too much fabric hanging below the bum, and even how to pinch out a dart at the front to eliminate the bubble. She starts this lesson about 15 minutes in, so can likely slide over to that, where she starts with the bulletin board. Easy alterations when you see how she explains them. I learned a lot in those 30 minutes or so. My second Muslin is really good, and bonus! My daughter is learning how to help me evaluate fit and needed tweaks. Best of luck with your future jeans
Ooh thank you! I shall definitely watch this!!
Gosh, I was thinking how terrific these look – of course the very tight aesthetic is not mine……I wonder if all sewers are more self critical than shoppers?
ceci
I’m not hugely fond of skin tight either, which means I’ll live with the wrinkles. I think sewers are much more critical than shoppers, especially when we photograph ourselves from every angle!
I’m thinking that the tugging them back up and the wrinkles/bubbles are related to crotch curve. I’m awaiting your post after the pattern class to see what solutions they may have given you.
Fit is the hardest part- I can buttonhole and insert zip and pleat etc etc etc, but that fit thing! Then the body has the nerve to change!
Definitely related to crotch curve, Barbara! I have now resolved things a bit, but have had to face the fact that I just don’t have the rear assets to fill out my jeans the way I want to!! I agree about the body changing. I’ve lost more than 10% of my body weight since making my blocks which is also adding to my woes.
Well I too eagerly await your next installment on finding the solution to the perfect fit! These did not look bad to me…. more like a slouchy, skinny jean that looks comfy to wear. Love the top!
thank you Lisa, next pair is already packed for my trip, so you’ll have to wait a week or so!
Now I’m imagining you sitting in a boiling hot bathtub with your jeans on, he he, great story! 🙂 I like the whole outfit! The colors coordinate very well together and I don’t think anyone else will notice the wrinkles as fitting issues except you. I’m looking forward to reading about the next pair and Mark’s shirt!
See? I said every time I make a pair of pants I learn more and they get better and better! I think you are doing wonderfully!
thanks Linda, getting there!