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Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

1950s-style cuffed jeans (and informal video extravaganza!)

March 27, 2018 by Tasha 34 Comments

I made more jeans! And then I have some good news, and some bad news relating to that.

The bad news is I’ve been saying since last summer that I was going to do a vintage jeans sew-along. And I… can never get to it. Friends, if you’ve followed me awhile, and if you’ve ever read any of my tutorials, they are intense. They can take me weeks to put together just one tutorial. I rarely even do them these days because of that. An entire sew-along chock full of detailed tutorials is an epic (and unpaid) endeavor, especially for someone who works full-time and y’know, would like to go out for a drink or have a few hours of knitting time in her life, too. So unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards. Never say never, but currently I’m saying no. It’s really hard to commit the dozens and dozens of hours it would take me to set it all up, all eating away massive amounts of my free time. In my heart I want to do it, but I don’t think I can make it happen. I’m sorry.

Now for the good news! I recently spent a week sewing a pair of 1950s-style jeans, and I documented the entiiiire thing in my Instagram stories. I often do sewing stories but this one was very detailed. And because Instagram now has a handy feature where you can highlight stories in curated collections on your profile page so they don’t disappear after 24 hours, I’ve saved them all in three collections—you can watch them any time! Total, it’s nearly 35 minutes of videos (with some photos thrown in) of me talking all about making these vintage-style jeans. From the construction of the hidden zipper, to tips on topstitching and navigating thick intersections. Every little thing I did. And yeah if you do the math, 35 minutes of videos broken up into the 15 second clips Instagram stories allows… that’s a LOT of videos for you! They’re quick and dirty of course, and please don’t ask about a YouTube channel as others have asked me on Instagram: that won’t be happening. There’s no way I’d put on-the-fly cell phone videos on YouTube, and I don’t have the time or desire to learn how to setup a studio properly for better video. Sewing stories are a thing to do in the moment… that’s why I find them fun!

If you’d like to see all the details (and I do mean ALL the details) about how I personally think through and construct a pair of jeans, from someone who’s made several pairs and has developed some tips and tricks along the way and mostly just likes to talk about sewing jeans, why not check it out? 🙂


Onto the jeans!

These jeans look similar to the pedal pushers I made last summer, because essentially they’re the same thing! But with more fitting tweaks and full-length legs. They’re my own highly modified version of Simplicity 4401, which has been my basic vintage trouser pattern of choice lately. I used a 12 oz stretch Cone Mills denim because I wanted these to be really comfy. My pedal pushers were 10 oz non-stretch.

They feature a hidden zipper inside the pocket, which I explain thoroughly in the Instagram videos, but is basically just an exposed zipper in a pocket facing. Yes, my waistband facing is Cath Kidston fabric! 😀 I got it on eBay sometime back.

I love these jeans but time can do some funny things to your brain like make you forget things you wanted to remember for future iterations of a pattern. Last summer I made a red twill pair from this pattern, with scooped out pockets which I like the look of, too. It also worked around an issue I have with these slash pockets (both on my pedal pushers and this pair), where the front pockets gape out a bit. You can see that in the photo below.

A curved pocket doesn’t do that as much, because the ‘gaping’ part isn’t there; it’s scooped out.

I’m fairly certain that’s caused by the pretty dramatic waist-to-hip ratio achieved with no darts and with such a high-waisted leg. I figured out this was likely the source of the issue with several muslins before I sewed my Spoonflower trousers. Those muslins included side seam pockets, but they will do this too if the trousers are pretty fitted.

If I take a too-big pair of Freddies of Pinewoods jeans (I still have for some reason) with the same exact style pocket that doesn’t gape, and pull them until they are more fitted around my hips, I get the same gaping. I think it’s usually less of an issue with more 1940s style wide legged jeans (like the Freddies) as they have more ease in the hip as they go down to a much wider leg. And my trouser preference has much less ease in the hip and goes down to a somewhat narrower leg. So the pocket is contorting around my hip. Anyway, it’s not just me—you can actually spot this “issue” on many true vintage women’s trousers when modeled  or in old photos, and some even had bar tacks or snaps to hold down that little gap… I can’t be sure that wasn’t just a design element, but it sure reminds me of why I put on buttons on my pockets for my Western Gingers. I’m sure it’s also different body to body since we all have different torso lengths, are bigger in the front or back, and whatnot. Obviously none of our bodies are the same, even if we’re the same size.

Anyway, I point this all out because… I don’t know. Because you follow enough sewing blogs over time and you feel compelled to point out any possible little thing that could be perceived as incorrect, lest someone then point out to you in the comments something you already know but didn’t mention or “tsk tsk” you elsewhere online. All this rambling is to say, it’s still kind of a minor annoyance to me. I forgot that last summer when I made my red twill pair with the scooped pocket instead of straight slash, I wanted to do that on my next pair of jeans, but that next pair didn’t happen until now, and clearly I didn’t remember. Whoops! Oh well. Something to do on my next pair! There’s always a next pair with me and jeans. 😉

One of the things I loooove about making jeans is all that topstitching! It’s so satisfying.

There’s not much to tell that I haven’t already talked about with my pedal pusher version and my red twill version. The construction was the same. The only thing I changed was really the fit. I applied all the changes I made in the basting stage of my pedal pushers to the pattern, but then made further tweaks during the basting of this pair. Always baste jeans!!! Every denim, every change makes a difference. This pair uses a stretch Cone Mills denim, and even though I wanted a relaxed-but-still-somewhat-slim fit in the leg, I felt comfortable removing nearly 1″ out of the crotch seam and shaved off some on the outer thigh, too. I also took a smidge off the waist at the side seams since I felt like the waistband was coming up slightly larger than I wanted for some reason. None of those were changes I could have anticipated unless I’d basted them together before sewing them up for real!

Basting fit: a terribly annoying step in jean making that is always, ALWAYS worth it in the end!

I love these jeans and I’m thrilled to finally have a full-length pair in this style and not just fly front! We’re going on vacation soon and will be staying in a cabin and hoping to do some hiking, so I had my new Red Wings and lots of plaid in mind when I was sewing these. I mean I’m a jean lover of the first order but I particuarly I love them with this kind of a look. And now I have some comfy, 1950s-style jeans to take on the trip and couldn’t be happier.

Between all my modifications on Ginger jeans and this vintage pattern, I feel pretty satisfied where I am with the state of jean making these days. I can now really execute about any variation I want, which tickles me to no end! Look for a fun variation coming up soon…

If you want to follow the making of these jeans, just visit my Instagram profile page and look for the “Sew Jeans” 1-3 series of Highlights, in the tiny round images above my feed. 🙂

outfit details

1950s style jeans – made by me
cardigan from a vintage pattern – made by me
vintage Western shirt – misc.
earrings – Bow & Crossbones
boots – Red Wing

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Filed Under: Sewing, Sewing Tutorials, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: finished projects, jeans, pants, vintage sewing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. PsychicSewerKathleen says

    March 27, 2018 at 11:36 am

    LOVE your jeans!! My mother wore a pair of jeans so much like these in the ’50’s they made me smile as soon as I saw them. What a beautiful rendition they are – you’re definitely going to set off a trend!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 29, 2018 at 12:59 pm

      Thanks so much! Well this style is already quite trendy with people who wear a lot of casual vintage clothes as a couple of brands make similar ones. But it’s wonderful to be able to make my own, tailored just to me! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Bonni says

    March 27, 2018 at 11:43 am

    YAY!!! Thanks for all the hard work and posting this. I’m guessing I can’t see the videos because I’m on an iMac rather than my crappy phone. I’m looking forward to it though!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 29, 2018 at 1:00 pm

      Oh yes, I don’t think you can see them on the desktop view. I’m sorry!

      Reply
  3. Lu Fitz says

    March 27, 2018 at 11:59 am

    I love what you make. I cannot sew. Reading your sewing posts is soo therapeutic. You are a joy.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 29, 2018 at 1:00 pm

      Since you’re someone who doesn’t sew, I appreciate knowing that you find enjoyment in my posts! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Lu Fitz says

    March 27, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    I love what you make. I cannot sew. Reading your sewing posts is soo therapeutic. You are a joy.

    Reply
  5. jeanine says

    March 27, 2018 at 1:01 pm

    Ooooh, that topstitching is dreamy!!! They look great and fit you beautifully. As for the barely noticeable pocket gap, all the more room for SNACKS.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 29, 2018 at 1:01 pm

      Ha ha I like your line of thinking on the snacks!! 😀 And thank you!

      Reply
  6. Janey Ellis says

    March 27, 2018 at 1:21 pm

    I watched on your Instastories and it was so much fun!! And seriously, these are absolutely amazing!!!

    xoxo
    -Janey

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 30, 2018 at 8:38 am

      Thanks, Janey! They were a lot of fun to make and document. I’ve been wearing them practically non-stop since I made them!

      Reply
  7. Lisa Wightman says

    March 27, 2018 at 4:16 pm

    They are so beautifully executed, but that zip – wow! It’s fab, I’ve never seen one hidden in a pocket, such a brilliant idea.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 30, 2018 at 8:38 am

      Isn’t it a great idea? I certainly didn’t invent it but I swear I’m trying single-handedly to bring it back. LOL

      Reply
  8. Debra Krug says

    March 27, 2018 at 6:38 pm

    The jeans are perfection ! I love your red sweater too. I really appreciate all you do to keep the vintage vibe alive.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 30, 2018 at 8:39 am

      Thanks, Debra! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Bex says

    March 27, 2018 at 7:15 pm

    I’m loving everything about your outfit in the post Tasha! And the jeans are perfection!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 30, 2018 at 8:40 am

      Thanks, Bex!! I can’t wait to wear them with a 49er jacket! 😀

      Reply
  10. Angela Dent says

    March 28, 2018 at 2:29 am

    Totally amazing! They look awesome!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 30, 2018 at 8:40 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. colette says

    March 28, 2018 at 11:06 pm

    The jeans are fab – I love the entire ensemble ;o)

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      March 30, 2018 at 8:40 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  12. Cynthia says

    April 2, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    I really love these jeans and you outfit, and I loved following your stories 🙂 they’re a nice complement to your blog posts, and they make me me look forward to reading them even more.
    Also, I really like the shape and topstitching and the shape of the back pockets,!

    Reply
  13. Sanne says

    April 4, 2018 at 11:01 am

    I get your little things that nags you, but you know what – no one notices! I didn’t, but I know I have them myself, and I also know that everybody always says that they didn’t see it. And I am pretty sure no one will gossip about your sewing skills on the web, dear. 🙂 That’s a lovely and very professional pair of jeans – as always. Have a great day, both of you. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Lindsay says

    April 21, 2018 at 7:37 pm

    In this post you remind me of Rosie, the camp master from the comic book Lumberjanes!

    Reply
  15. alesia says

    April 23, 2018 at 8:57 pm

    OMG! You are a magician!!!!! Oh! Unbelievable! I never even thought that a mortal can make such a perfect pair of jeans ! You are a true inspiration!

    Reply
  16. alesia says

    April 23, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    Oh, by the way – where did you get the pattern? Which patterns you’d advise? AND, I JUST found you post when you made Shaheen-like dress — absolutely stunning – I have fabric – ordered pattern – I’ll start next week!

    Reply
  17. Laura says

    October 13, 2018 at 10:50 am

    Hi !
    Just found your blog and I am loving it!
    I also found the Simplicity pattern you have referenced for the interior zipper pocket.
    However, when the pattern arrived it did not have that technique referenced.
    I must be missing something….where did you first discover this special zipper pocket design?
    I am much better at written directions….So I would like to get as much information as I can about this cool slimming paint detail. Looking forward to any insight you can give me. Thank you, LauraG

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      October 15, 2018 at 8:26 am

      No the pattern doesn’t have the zipper technique, I backwards architected it from pants I already owned. There’s no fully instructions for it in any pattern I have. I’m sorry!

      Reply
  18. Laura says

    October 15, 2018 at 1:18 pm

    Okay. Thank you for your reply!
    Really enjoying your blog and your inspirations!

    Reply
  19. Lynne A Johnson says

    November 1, 2018 at 1:49 pm

    Amazing looking! You look so cute in them and the way you styled them looks great too. I’ve enjoyed your blog for sometime now. Always some beautifully constructed garments going on. Thanks!

    Reply
  20. Kirsten says

    December 4, 2018 at 5:26 am

    I have such jeans envy! I have a Freddie’s pair almost identical but I wish I’d made them myself instead 😉

    Reply
  21. Claire says

    July 3, 2021 at 3:31 am

    Wonderful work!

    I came across your jeans posts while researching for my own 50s style jeans project. I am so going to magpie that zip detail!

    Such amazing sewing work.

    💗

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. I just needed a sweatshirt | By Gum, By Golly says:
    April 2, 2018 at 8:53 am

    […] the middle of my latest jeans project I suddenly had the urge to try out a pattern I’ve been thinking about non-stop since […]

    Reply
  2. Overalls of my dreams | By Gum, By Golly says:
    April 5, 2018 at 8:10 am

    […] I was making my latest pair of jeans, I hatched another idea that I started working on slowly: a pair of overalls. And boooooy am I ever […]

    Reply

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