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Saturday, March 25, 2017

Ginger Skinny Jeans: A Wearable Muslin

Well, I am happy to say that I have had a great experience with the Ginger Skinny Jeans pattern by Closet Case Patterns  The muslin discussed in my previous post has resulted in a wearable muslin.


The pattern is well-drafted and the details are true to ready-to-wear.  Heather Lou, the designer and founder of Closet Case Patterns, most definitely did her research.  Despite the fact that I mostly live in jeans, there are details in ready-to-wear jeans that I never even thought of until I started working with this pattern.  Not all ready-to-wear jeans are exactly the same of course but when I pulled out my old Gap jeans, I noticed similarities with the Ginger jeans pattern.

One thing was the stitching at the top of the side seam that runs for about 6 inches or so.  Another was how the back pockets curve on the sides of the pockets closest to the center back seam.  Working with this pattern results in a ready-to-wear style of jeans but better because you make it to your liking and fit.

Below you can see the topstitching details and shaping of the back pockets:

Here are my old Gap jeans:


I knew I would be making adjustments to the pattern so I traced the leg patterns so as not to butcher the original pattern.  For this muslin, I took in the side seams and inseams since I have very thin thighs:


I have also determined there are a few more adjustments I need to make on my next pair:

1.  Take in the waistband just a little bit.  The waistband is a little loose and I like waistbands to hug me just a little.

2.  Make a large calf adjustment.  Once I get up from sitting down, they get "stuck" on my calves and then I have to pull them down.  I have the same problem with ready-to-wear but I won't have this problem with my next pair of jeans.

3.  I have excess fabric below the derriere.   There are a lot of suggestions out there as to how to remedy this.  I will be researching and pondering how best to proceed.

I have a good quality medium weight denim I purchased at Mood a long time ago which I will use to make my next pair of jeans.  But now I am in the mood for working with a different fabric...maybe stretch corduroy.  It is still chilly here in the Northeast so if I get started on them soon, maybe I could wear them a couple of times.  We'll see!

Happy sewing!

35 comments:

  1. Wow, they look great! Awesome detail. Lucky you with the skinny thighs,,,,,in my dreams.

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    1. Thank you Bunny! My thighs are on the other end of the spectrum...TOO skinny but oh well, it is what it is. But sewing lets me accommodate them which is what is so wonderful about sewing.

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  2. Great job on these: they look very professional.

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    1. Thanks so much. I believe I have to work on the fit a little more but they came out pretty good for a muslin.

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  3. They look good Tomasa! Hee for skinny thighs, mine are the opposite!

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    1. Thanks so much Kyle! I need to tweak them some more but overall, they came out pretty good.

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  4. These are so cute ! Great job & very professional

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    1. Thank you MaryEllen! I still need to work on the fit but overall, I am happy with them and have worn them several times.

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  5. I love it! Perfect fit and lovely detail :)

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  6. Thank you so much for reviewing this pattern and discussing what you like about it! Your muslin looks very good and the fit is great. Can't wait to see your next pair after your adjustments to the pattern.

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    1. Thank you Virginie! Overall they are pretty good for a muslin. My biggest challenge is always that excess fabric below the derriere but I will just keep trying different types of adjustments until I get there. It's all about experimentation for me.

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  7. Nice to see these on you Tomasa, they look great!Lucky you with the skinny thighs... somehow I doubt I will need that adjustment when I finally get around to making mine!

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    1. Thank you Winter-Queen! I look forward to seeing your version when you get to them.

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  8. These are beautiful Tomasa!! You did that, and made is look so EASY! I think the fit is really good too.

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    1. Thank you Vanessa! Jeans aren't really that hard. They are just pants with lots of topstitching.

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  9. They look fantastic! I will definitely make these one day, I'm yet to tackle trousers.

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    1. Thank you so much Lynsey Jane. I encourage you to give them a try one day.

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  10. These are beautiful jeans! I am inspired by them. I would like to make mine as well as like yours:)))

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    1. Thank you Eli cat. I am sure you would make a gorgeous pair of jeans that would fit you perfectly!

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  11. What a perfect fit! You really make it look easy. Very beautiful.

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    1. Thank you The Sewing CPA. Jeans aren't really that hard. They are just pants with lots of topstitching...so they are a little time consuming but manageable.

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  12. These really are a wonderful wearable pair of jeans. Your version is the best fitting pair I've seen of this pattern so far.

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    1. Flattery will get you everywhere - ha!!! :) Thanks so much Maria Oliver!

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  13. A very wearable muslin indeed!! That fit is pretty darn good, and the top stitching is perfect.

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    1. Thanks so much Barbara! I feel like I need to tweak the fit a bit but overall, they fit nicely.

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  14. these look fantastic, well done! :)

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    1. Thanks so much Carolyn! Sometimes things do work out!

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  15. Your jeans look amazing! I now live in the jeans I've made!!!

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    1. Thank you Rhonda! I am overall happy with them. I will be completely happy when I figure out how to get rid of all of the wrinkles going up and down the back legs but I will get there one day.

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  16. Your jeans look so good! I love the top stitching on the back pockets.

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    1. Thank you Anna! I am not completely happy with the fit but overall they turned out fine. Yes, the pockets were a lot of fun.

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  17. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. Leslie Jean Designs

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