Ash Jeans by Megan Nielsen Patterns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I first started sewing, I never dreamed of sewing pants. It was dresses that I wanted to sew (and still do). The online sewing community has made making jeans and pants popular again despite pants fitting being difficult. The actual making of pants is doable.

I chose the Ash Jeans for my first pants pattern. I have sewn woven and knit pajama pants and knit leggings, but no pants. I am in-debited to all the tutorials out there online for the knowledge I gained before I even started sewing and cutting out my pattern. Last summer, I made Ash jean capris and this winter I made the full length Ash Jeans.

I used a denim fabric from Joann Fabrics for my first pair and cone mills denim from Raspberry Creek Fabrics which was 20-30% stretch. Both of my jeans I had to take in outer seams past the hips as I have small legs.

I used Gutermann jeans thread for regular stitching and I used Gutermann Mara 70 top stitch thread #448 only in the spool not in the bobbin. I read online that the topstitch thread is too thick to be put in the bobbin and  will most likely cause jamming in your sewing machine. I used a blind hem foot for top stitching and suddenly I was creating the most even top stitching I have ever sewn in my life.  I printed the zipper fly cover and pinned in place as a guide for marking where to topstitch for the zipper fly.

I shortened the rise by 1.5 in. and made a size 25 with a size 26 waistband. I chose the slim view, but I did take in the outer seam in a lot, so it might not look like the slim view anymore. I used wonder tape on my waistband for top stitching the waistband. I don't see how the waistband will stay in place when I have to sew from the top, so wonder tape keeps the waistband in place and my waistband looks nice on the inside and outside.

Megan Nielsen patterns has a comprehensive sew along which I used both times I sewed the pattern. The pattern was great to sew with and honestly the hardest part for me was figuring out how much to take in at the outer side seams. The Ash Jeans are a winner in my book. I feel quite accomplished after sewing this pattern. Jeans making seems to be 85% top stitching (Yes, I just made up that number, but it is mostly top stitching.) and I would recommend buying an edge stitch foot or using a blind hem foot to make beautiful top stitching. The hardest part is probably the zipper fly which isn't bad as I just followed the instructions.