Not your momma’s handmade jeans

Sewing

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handmade-wide-leg-jeans

GUYS.  My sewing maching and I have tried some pretty crazy things over the years but sewing my own JEANS??  I honestly can’t say I’ve ever been tempted before (despite the fact that I can’t ever find jeans to fit my voluptuous bottom for less than $200 and heaven knows I’ve never spent that.)  That is, until Lauren from Baste + Gather (and the creator of this amazing pattern design course I highly recommend!) came out with her Birkin flare leg jeans pattern.

ALL the tester pics were incredible – sewists from all skill levels and with all body sizes were banging these things out and they all looked amazing!  These things are like the jeans from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants!  That’s all my mom-body needed to see to talk myself into buying the pattern.

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I absolutely give them a two hearty thumbs up!  Honestly, denim really is nothing to be afraid of.  The only semi-scary part for me was the rivets and button installation, but Lauren nails those in her instructions.  She even has a video showing you how to do them both.

handmade-flare-leg-jeans The pattern includes sourcing denim, thread and hardware, including recommendations for the amount of stretch your denim should have.  I was very happy with the supplies I bought (all from stores she suggested) and I’m so happy with how these turned out!

My only real goof was making a muslin out of fabric without quite as much stretch as the denim (I hadn’t received the denim in the mail yet so I couldn’t compare).  I made my usual size 29 and then got all depressed when the muslin was skin tight and wouldn’t even zip.  Once the denim arrived though, I was (pretty) sure it would work out in my regular size so I just went for it!  The negative ease in the hips and waist (along with the higher rise!) was flattering, comfortable and held in all my post-babies squishy bits.

I did shorten the legs quite a bit as well; I can NEVER find flares short enough for me!  Lastly, I should mention cost: I think my total in supplies came to just over $50.  Not too bad for a cutom-made pair of quality denim.

handmade-wardrobe-bell-bottom-jeans

handmade-birkin-dark-denim-70's

 

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The tricks in fitting my bottom half at this stage in life include muscular thighs, sway back and some extra poundage on the hips, but these fit amazingly well.  The only change I’d make next time around is probably taking in a bit from the back of the waistband, since there was still a small amount of gaping for me.  But after wearing them several times I can say that they stay in place, are amazingly comfy and are the first pair of jeans Luke likes on me since skinnies came on the scene!

Intrigued??  Just TRY them! I promise you can do it!

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6 Comments

  • Reply
    Gurmulette
    February 26, 2016 at 7:13 am

    I am very impressed, your jeans are superb.

    • Reply
      Bonnie
      February 29, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      Thank you! I was so surprised how simple they were to make!

  • Reply
    Cate
    February 26, 2016 at 7:31 am

    Are you kidding me? Look at you, girl — you and your jeans look AWESOME! I keep stalking this pattern but haven’t made the purchase. I think you’ve pushed me to just give it a try! Congrats on an amazing pair of custom jeans.

    • Reply
      Bonnie
      February 29, 2016 at 8:16 pm

      Thank you, Cate! I seriously love them. Just bite the bullet – you won’t regret it!! 😉

  • Reply
    Mel
    March 23, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    Ok, Bonnie, you’re going to think I’m crazy but I popped over to your blog after your comment on the lemon blueberry cake and oh my gosh, I almost fell off my chair at the homemade jeans. You are amazing! Seriously. I have dreams of being a great seamstress but in a million years, I’d never be able to sew my own jeans. Even though you’re saying it wasn’t that hard, it’s like me claiming that when I post a recipe that has a bazillion steps and is totally over the top. 🙂 Basically, I’m in complete awe. The jeans are adorable. YOU are adorable! 🙂

    • Reply
      Bonnie
      March 23, 2016 at 8:16 pm

      Wha?!? Mel, you just made this little blogger’s day with your comment! You are my blogger-celeb hero 🙂 Thanks for the compliments!! I’m so happy we each get to share our talents because without you my family would never have an edible dinner…and when all your kids are in school and you’ve got oodles of time on your hands, you come on back and we’ll sew some jeans together. Or maybe just a skirt. 😉

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