Saturday, April 18, 2009

Here We Go Again

Here's another pair of Jalie jeans. This time I used embroidery on the back pockets and added about 1/4" on each side. They are almost perfect. The 1/4" that I added was a little much for this particular denim. This denim is stretchier than the other stuff but thicker. I was thinking that an extra little bit would be good seeing as they were thicker. But, since they are a bit stretchier, they are looser than my other jeans. I'm not complaining. Denims are sooooo different in weight, stretch, drape, etc. This one is much darker and beefier. I'll have to get a side-by-side shot later this afternoon so you can see the differences. I think I'll just have to wing it each time I make these and either add or subtract a little each time based on the denim. I really like this pair too.
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I realized I didn't do the tummy shot on my last review so you could see what Jalie means by low-rise. It's low but not crazy-low. There is no extra shaving necessary and no peeps of whale tail.
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The back pocket embroidery. I used another Urban Threads design. This one is the Heraldic Griffin design. Do you know that not a single embroidery design company out there makes a back pocket jean design? I've looked all over the place. I realize that 1) I can do it my own damn self and use my sewing machine and 2) I can use any old design for a back pocket. Like I've said before, I'm not good at the creating my own cool designs thing. I'm good at the construction aspect but not the creative aspect. How do you guys make a good jean pocket design and make sure it's symmetrical and all that? I would much rather hook up the ol' embroidery machine, let it do its thing, and then cut the pockets out.
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This is a garish close-up of the griffin. I always make a practice one to make sure it's going to work before I do it on the real fabric. This is hard to look at.
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I used Coats and Clark Heavy Duty thread for topstitching and regular Gutterman thread for the embroidery on the pockets.
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Next up: An oldy but a goody. :)

23 comments:

Adrienne said...

Your jeans look superb! You are one of the reason I'm going to ATTEMPT to make these! I ordered my pattern and fabric yesterday!

Amanda S. said...

These look fabulous. How do you turn this stuff out so fast?!!!

Carol said...

These look fantastic and I love the embroidery. I've found that no two denims perform the same. I recently made jeans for my SWAP from a Burda pattern and I had to take them in by inches because of the stretch, when other times the pattern has fitted perfectly. The deep indigo is my favourite and I really like your choice of top stitch thread.

Rachel said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Those look store bought. That design on the back pocket makes them look very high end. Your ability to turn out work so quickly keeps me motivated to sit in front of the sewing machine and sew.

Rachel said...

In my previous post I forgot to ask, what type of needle do you use for topstitching?

elaine said...

Are there two different "rises" on this pattern? You indicate this is low rise. Is there a bit higher one for us who have trouble keeping our shirts tucked in?

Julia said...

Very nice. They look comfortable!

Anonymous said...

Love the pockets!!

Tracy said...

Who needs RTW when you can create your own. Love the Griffin, it's an old family favorite. Jeans look great

KellysSewing said...

Awesome! You definitely have the jeans thing down to a T. Love your pockets. I am so creative, the curve on my pockets??? - traced around a roll of duct tape.

Unknown said...

Well, you are certainly making up for lost time! The jeans look fantastic ("no shaving"... you crack me up) and I'm not surprised that Stephanie Plum is your hero!

gwensews said...

Another nice pair of jeans. You'll never have to buy another pair!

Edris said...

I have the same question as Amanda - how the heck are you cranking this stuff out so fast. They look great!

JoanneM said...

They look perfect!

Lori said...

Great looking jeans again.

Marsha said...

Nice jeans! I love Jalie patterns. I really don't know how you turn out so much stuff....it's dizzying, actually!

LindaNan said...

How about this. Create a template of the pocket shape that you want and set it aside.
Do your embroidery on a larger piece of fabric than you expect to need. After you embroider the piece, use your template to cut the "pocket" pieces.

Vicki said...

You are the queen of jeans that is for sure. These look fabulous.

Elaray said...

You're an expert on jeans! They look great.

Kat said...

Your jeans looks great! I would do exactly that--embroidery the fabric first, then cut out the pockets. It's a more exact method IMO.

Maryissewfast said...

Great jeans Dawn! I always embroider first and then cut out the pieces...much easier to get perfection!

Beth Conky said...

They look good, but a little big in the legs. Like you said every denium is different. I ordered the pattern for my daughter but have not tried it yet.

Tina said...

Your jeans look great! I'll be following this thread because I would really like to know how to get a good design for back pockets as well.