Make Nine 2025 Plans – Jeans

Hello, Snazzie People!

With my winter sewing plans wrapping up, I thought this would be a good time to start focusing on jeans and pants fitting. This is part of my Make Nine 2025 plans. I’m going to start with jeans because I have been wanting to make a pair of jeans in gray, and I already have fabric for both gray and black jeans. Both of these fabrics are stretch denim, so I will need to take that into consideration when selecting my pattern.

I want to make some high-rise jeans with straight legs, bootcut legs, or wide legs.

Let’s start with the patterns I already own

True Bias Lander Pants

The Lander Pants pattern from True Bias has been around for a while, but I love this pattern. My biggest concern is how the wide-leg jeans might look on me; they look great on other people, but will I feel the same when I see them on me? I actually made a pair of Lander shorts a couple of summers ago, and after a lot of rise and hip adjusting, I had a pair of shorts that I was quite proud of. Then when I went to apply these changes to the pants, I realized that the pattern pieces for the shorts and pants are very different, and I would have had to start over when the pants fitting.

Closet Core Ginger Jeans

The Ginger Jeans pattern from Closet Core Patterns is another pattern I’ve had for a long time. I even bought the accompanying class. I think I watched the class several times, but I’ve never tried making the jeans. These jeans are made for stretch denim, but the straight leg fit is low rise while the skinny leg has a high rise. I’ll have to check if I can simply trace the rise of the skinny leg onto the straight leg.

Love Notions Legato Jeans

I bought the Legato Jeans pattern and the accompanying course when it was first released by Love Notions Patterns. This pattern is made for denim with 1-3% spandex and features curvy and straight waistband options as well as full and flat seat adjustments. It also comes in petite, regular, and tall lengths. With all those adjustments already done for me, this pattern is so far, my top contender. It’s also a newer pattern, so I feel like they may have to address a lot of the fit issues people have had with jeans in the past.

The downside is the mid-rise, but I may still make a muslin and see how they fit. If everything fits well, I could hack the pattern to lengthen the rise. This is an adjustment I want to learn anyway.

Itch to Stitch Liana Stretch Jeans

This is another pattern I bought years ago and never touched. The Liana Jeans pattern from Itch to Stitch has skinny, straight, and bootcut legs. They are mid-rise but claim to have a higher rise in the back, which could benefit me. There are no other options for length, waist, or hip shape, so I would have to make those adjustments myself; if needed.

Butterick B6800

I bought Butterick B6800 years ago, and I did try making a muslin for fitting. It did not go well. This is an older pattern, and while I like all the leg options, including the trouser leg option, I think the rise is going to be too low for my taste.

Honorable Mention – Itch to Stitch Eddystone Jeans

I don’t own the Eddystone Jeans pattern from Itch to Stitch, and I didn’t even know it existed until I started writing this post. The pattern has a high-rise waist and comes in two options – a girlfriend fit and a demi boot fit. The pattern is also intended for fabric with a slight stretch. These are all features that appeal to me.

I was already leaning towards the Love Notions Legato Jeans when I watched a recent video from Whitney at TomKat Stitchery and she pointed out that the length variations do take into account the rise. So, a tall should not only have longer legs but also a longer rise, so I’ve decided I will try the Legato Jeans first and see how they feel. No matter what pattern I choose, I know I’ll have to work on the fit. If the Legato Jeans don’t feel right, then I’ll consider buying the Itch to Stitch Eddystone Jeans.

Do you also participate in the Make Nine challenge?

Do you have some sewing plans for 2025 that you would like to share? Please do so in the comments section.

Happy Sewing!

Kelly