McCalls 5142 denim work jeans

As promised last post, I have my new work jeans done (in fact, they're due for a wash after today) and now have pics as of this morning.  Keep in mind, I've worn these to town a couple days this week, and wore them last night for evening chores/milking.  I am VERY pleased with the fit and freedom of movement.

front view McCall's 5142 work jeans
in medium blue denim

back view M5142 jeans
with "heartbeat" wave on back pockets

side view of McCalls 5142
work jeans

These are just perfect through the hips, as I can squat down and reach for eggs the hens decide to lay in the far back corner of the tractors without the slightest tightness or binding.  I put belt loops on this pair, even though they don't need them right now as they sit comfortably at my waist without sliding down.

While hubby notices the lack of excess fabric at the bottom of the zipper, the thing Cindy at Tractor Supply was so enthusiastic about is the lack of gap in back.  I showed them off to her earlier this week, and she tugged at the center back belt loop while exclaiming, "No gap!  Wow, what brand are these?"  While she looked suitably impressed when I told her they are "my brand," she looked and sounded a bit disappointed she can't go buy a pair for herself.  Kem, the assistant manager, remarked they look store-bought (except they fit better).

Since I have the fit I want, the next step is to knock out about 3 or 4 more pair - I am already working on another pair in light blue denim, with hot pink topstitching and floral appliques for my going-to-town jeans.  I have white cotton twill with animal print on it for another pair of going-to-town pants, and I have a couple wild plans for embellishment.  I figured since I would making several pair of this pattern, why not enter in the Pattern Review "One Pattern, Many Looks" contest, which is running mid-October to November 15th.  If I have time before the deadline, I just got some nice light tan cotton twill in good bottomweight thickness for another pair of work pants, which would make for two pair of work pants and two going-to-town pants, which ought to hold me through winter.

After I finish up the pantspalooza, then it's on to knit tops and T-shirts for me, as I had to throw out three old T-shirts that are officially disintegrating - including one of my old PT shirts that is at least 15 years old and I could read through it.  I have patterns, and I now have jersey knits.  Fabric leftovers will be turned into panties, which are also on the must-sew-soon list.

McCalls 5142 jeans in denim

I did these with a 2 yard remnant of medium weight denim, so I had to fold six inches off the bottoms as it really does take 2-1/4 yard to 2-1/2 yards to do up full length jeans.  They still feel a bit loose even after taking 3/8 inch off the inseams both front and back, so I will probably take 3/8 inch off the outer seams in the front pieces only to start out, as that is where it feels the baggiest.  I feel like I am getting closer, though!

McCalls 5142 jeans front

McCalls 5142 jeans, capri-length in denim

side view, McCalls 5142 jeans

McCalls 5142 jeans, back view

All righty, folks - I want your comments, suggestions, constructive criticisms, and overall impression of this version.  I forgot to squat way down to show how these are the right size in my full hip area ... also they have enough room I don't feel any pulling right above the knees like usual - but these are a lot looser than what I am used to wearing.  So, let me know what y'all think.

A thought on McCalls jeans 5142 mockup #3

I just had a thought ... no need to duck and run for cover.  Thinking on Gloria's advice on taking the inseam in by 1/4 inch at a time, I remembered the seam allowance for both the inseam and the side seam is one full inch, to allow for letting out if need be.  I sewed both seams at 5/8 inch.  Right there is 3/4 inch on each inseam and each side seam that can come out!

I need to do up a fourth mockup to test this ... I have a nice periwinkle blue cotton twill for it.  This should be a fun pair.

Oh, as promised, some pics of mockup #2:

front view, mockup #2 of
McCall's 5142 jeans (size 20)

side view of M5142 mockup #2
You can see the pulling at the full hip

back view of mockup #2, M5142
in size 20

So, y'all can probably see why I went up to a size 22 for the third mockup.  The fabric does eventually relax, just a little, but really not much.  This is some inherited stash fabric, from hubby's grandmother who died last October.  The printing on the selvedge says it was made in 1979!  There is a lot of it - perhaps ten yards! - so we think she may have intended them to be curtains.  Ah well, this certainly isn't the first time I've used a "home dec" fabric for a garment.  I know it won't be the last time, either.

McCall's 5142 jeans mockup #3

I have pics of mockup #2, but am skipping to my third mockup just because.  On #2, I took a wedge out of the front crotch curve, and it was noticeable enough that it was hubby's first comment upon seeing them on me.  I wasn't completely satisfied, so for #3 I took another half-inch on the wedge, plus cut out size 22 instead of 20 for around the hips, grading back down to a 20 past the fullness of the hips.

M5142 jeans mockup #3
in burgandy red twill cotton

side view, M5142 jeans mockup #3

rear view, M5142 jeans mockup #3
that's my lighter in the right back pocket

My impressions upon wearing them for a couple hours:

• zipper lies flat against my front, so the wedge out of the front crotch curve may just be perfect.  Zipper stays flat against me even when sitting.
• they're quite loose through the hips and thighs .. no binding or snugness there.
• waistband feels perfect!  Even sitting, there is no gap in the small of my back.
• Granted, view D is described as at-waist and wide leg, but I am wondering if they are just a bit too wide through the legs.
• my fabric was about 3 inches too short to get the full length of leg on these, due to a seriously whopperjawed end.  Ah well, it isn't too drastic.

Hubby's comment on them was that they look like dress pants more than just going-to-town jeans.  He mentioned I should make a nice top to coordinate with these ... and I picked up a piece of nice shirting (I probably bought for him, originally) that matched the dark red perfectly.  That will likely be the next thing I cut out and sew, using the new Cashmerette Harrison shirt pattern.

So, fitting on this jeans pattern - other than narrowing the legs a bit, is there anything I am missing?  Comments, observations, and suggestions are welcome.

Mockup for McCall's 5142 jeans

So, I have been sewing recently. I finally had a burst of motivation, in the form of A.) seeing what's out there in retail stores for sale (EEEK!!) and B.) having the left knee on another pair of jeans rip out too far.  It's kind of funny, me saying the knee ripped out too far, as when I was in high school we were all putting holes in our jeans, but when the rip impedes movement because it slides down the shin and then binds up, it's ripped too much.

I started the mockup of the McCall's 5142 jeans pattern last month, after ripping out the zipper of a pair of jeans that tore from the back pocket to the side seam, but progress was a bit slow.  I figured after cutting all the pieces out, I'd do the two things in the to-sew pile: hem swim trunks for hubby after shortening them by about five inches, and finally put the waistband in a pair of cotton flannel pajama pants that the cat has been using as a bed for far too long.

Hemming the swim trunks was easy.  Getting the waistband in right proved to be a bit of a challenge.  First I sewed the pocket towards the butt, so I ripped enough to move it forward of the side seam.  Then I caught up a fold of fabric while restitching the waistband, so the seam ripper got even more use.  Finally, I got it right - then called it a day.

I mentioned the fitful start to my friend Lynn (who is basically my partner-in-crime for a LOT of things, not just gardening and chickens), and her comment was, "I would have put it down and walked away.  That's a classic bad sewing day."  Me being me, I had to get it right before I could walk away.

Enough back story ... on to the mockup.

McCall's 5142 jeans in mattress ticking

Yup, that is mattress ticking.  I have to wait until Sunday when Lynn can come over on her day off, because if she's been outside working all day then she's usually too tired to be any help in the evening.  I am using the stripes to help with fitting.  I have the mockup done enough to wear right now, and can tell I am not happy with the crotch curve, and just plain HATE the front pockets.  They are too shallow to be of any use.

I didn't bother to hem the mockup, just straight stitched around then trimmed with pinking shears.  While I planned to put in a buttonhole and button, I didn't leave myself enough room at the fly, but the old jeans zipper is holding it just fine.  I think I am going to love the contoured waistband.  I can't see behind me, but it feels like I do not have the gaposis in back like I usually do.

Normally, I'd have hubby take some pictures for me, but he is on the road with his parents en route to Fort Hood, Texas to go visit his brother, who will be going to Korea after he does his reclass training.  That's going to be a long drive, and they are only going to the middle of Texas, not from one end to the other.  So, I have to wait until Sunday, but that gives me plenty of opportunity to wear the mockup around the property for chores as it's stress test for comfort.