Pattern Roundup: Sew Yourself the Perfect Pair of Jeans
Take a look at these stylish jean patternsIt can be challenging to find a pair of jeans that fits perfectly, so save yourself the hassle and sew your own.
Make by TFS May Jean
The May Jean, is a go-to classic jeans pattern. It has a high-rise fit, back yoke, five pockets, and a fly-front zippered closure. Choose from a straight leg, wide leg, or a shaped leg. Leg hems finish at the ankle but can be lengthened or shortened. The May Jean pattern comes in sizes 4 to 32 (waist 22.4 inches to 51 inches; hips 32.3 inches to 60.8 inches). If your measurements are outside the available size range, TFS will create a custom-graded PDF pattern for you.
Closet Core Patterns Ginger Jeans
These five-pocket jeans with two style options are a wardrobe staple and a darling among me-made jeans wearers. One version is a low-rise jean with a higher rise in the back and slightly curved back pockets. The second version is a high-rise jean with slimmer legs and slightly elongated back pockets. Recommended for intermediate sewers, the pattern comes in sizes 0 to 32 (hips 33 inches to 63 inches). Suggested fabric is stretch denim; avoid using very lightweight denim.
Éléonore Pull-On Jeans
The long or cropped jeggings-style pant features a faux front fly, back yoke, and back patch pockets. The pattern includes 27 sizes (from toddler to women’s 22, for 53-inch hips). The pull-on pant is fitted through the waist and hips and has a wide waistband. It calls for a stretch woven with 20 percent cross-grain stretch.
These Mountain View Pull-on Jeans give you the look of classic fly-front jeans, but with the comfort of a wide, fit-forgiving waistband. Plus, this design enables you to practice some higher level sewing skills when you make the custom pair of comfortable, straight-cut jeans with four pockets and other classic details. A special feature is a vertical seam down the center back of each leg; use this seam to create a shapely custom fit. Sew the jeans in stretch denim or twill fabric for a look you can dress up or down; the fabric must have 20 percent to 30 percent stretch. This pattern is available in sizes 00 to 40 (waist 25-3/8 inches to 54-1/4 inches, hips 33-1/8 inches to 62 inches).
Butterick Misses’ Four-Pocket Jeans & Trousers
This pattern offer several leg silhouettes: slim, ankle-length; straight; boot cut; and flared. There’s even an option for a trouser-style jean. The description says these sit at the natural waist, but the photos show them a bit lower: measure and adjust as needed. Women’s sizes sizes 6 to 22 (waist 23 inches to 37 inches, hip 32-1/2 inches to 46 inches).
Muna & Broad Noice Jeans Pattern
The Noice Jeans are nonstretch jeans with an ultrahigh rise, with a tapered ankle or wide leg option. The pattern includes classic jeans details like topstitching, a fly application, and belt loops.
Sizes range from iii through 8 (waist 40 inches to 60 inches, hips 46.5 inches to 71.5 inches). As always, Muna & Broad also offers to grade the patterns up for you, if you need a larger size.
Cashmerette Ames Jeans
The Cashmerette Ames stretch jeans are exclusively designed for curves. The pattern has interchangeable “apple” and “pear” pelvis pieces, for a customized fit, plus skinny and straight-leg silhouettes. These five-pocket jeans feature rivets, belt loops, and a fly front. Women’s sizes 12 to 32 (waist 32 inches to 52 inches, hip 42 inches to 62 inches).
Images from pattern company web sites unless otherwise noted.
Have you made any of these patterns? If so, be sure to share pictures in our Readers Closet gallery or tag us on Instagram with #memadethreads.
I am protesting, my placard sign says,"WE WANT WIDE PANTS!!!WE WANT DRAPEY-PANTS!!"---no skin tight jeans!!! We seniors couldn't do that well anyhow.--or don't want to.
These jeans may be ok for younger and slimmer folks,but I am really interested in the current "very wide denim jeans" and "relaxed jeans."Many of us just do not have the figure for tight jeans anymore.--I tried to look for commercial, mass-made versions of very wide,.drapey jeans, and NO ONE MAKES THEM. --another good reason to reject "fast-mass-fashion" because they do not make what you want..I was stuck with only jeans in the manner mass-manufacture makes them--very conformist and boring!!!
I am 71 and have been sewing from patterns since I was 8 years old. I too became very frustrated with the jeans on the market. I could wear the skinny jeans, but at 71 don't want to. I got so disgusted with what was out there I went back to school in my 50s and took some pattern drafting classes. I also took two on-line classes about making jeans. The first 7 pairs were not what I wanted but I kept at it. I now have a pair of jeans that fit my body the way I like them to fit. I can make changes and adjustments; for example, contoured waistline, higher waistline, bell bottoms (not into them any more) or boot cut. What I an saying is this, if you don't like what is out there, change it. Don't depend on someone else to do it for you. It does take effort and time and you will get discouraged at times when things don't turn out the way you thought they should. Stick with it. Things worth having don't come that easy. I have been a subscriber to Threads Magazine since day one. I still have the very first issue. I have gotten so much help and inspiration from this magazine over the years. This last issue was great because there was an article regarding jeans--inserting the zipper. Great article and one I will refer to on my next jeans project. All I can say is this. If there is something you don't like, then change it if you can. I don't have to depend on ready made patterns or ready made jeans any more. Wish I would have realized this fact years ago. Thanks Threads for all of your help and inspiration.