Tips to make your own jeans

To make its own jeans is somewhat of an ambitious project but if you want to improve your skills, you must up the game! Pretty much everybody wear jeans so why not try this out? Not only you'll be able to adjust the pattern to get the perfect fit but you will also have full control on the design and stitching details.

To make its own jeans is also an ethical choice! Globally, the jeans industry is not so great. Everyday, employees working in jeans factory are in contact with many chemicals (like the one used to wash the denims) which are compromising their health and the environment. Ethically made jeans can be very expensive and hard to find so making your own jeans equals perfect solution!

We hope you like this new tutorial to help you organize your DIY jeans project. We even have this cool template that you can use here.

Pictures by Anya Tsinko (www.anna-zoe.net) wearing her handmade skinny high waist jeans (TR803).

Stay stitch

A good sewing pattern is useless if it is paired with poor workmanship. Stability and control are very important when sewing because your finished garment measurements must match with the pattern measurements. Straight edges which are cut along the weft or selvage are obviously stable and will resist against stretching. On the contrary, curved and oblique edges are unstable and can easily be deformed which can alter the fit of your garment and create plenty of unaesthetic details. This is when stay stitches enter the game, so let's have a quick look at these and how to use them.

One shoulder maxi dress, by Mugler
Wrap mini skirt, Won Hundred

Tips for sewing with corduroy

Whether it is for a vintage seventies look, in earthy tones or for a modern look, in vivid colours, corduroy fabrics are right here for you! Versatile, it can be used for  a wide range of garments such as pants, skirt, overalls, dresses, bodices and jackets. Its iconic ribbed texture and sturdiness require some precautions, and for this, we advise you to read our quick guide before you start your new project.

Trousers with wide leg, by P.A.R.O.S.H. 
Super long skinny trousers, by  Société Anonyme 
Jacket with lapel collar, by Yohji Yamamoto Vintage

How to sew a jeans fly

A jeans fly is a very popular type of closure used in trousers and skirts. It consist of a zipper concealed under the opening. It is attached on one side under a tab and the other side is attached to a facing, usually in a "J" shape. This is why the jeans fly pretty much always features a bold "J" shaped topstitch. Today I will show you how to sew a real one, like the ones from commercial jeans! Let's do this...

How to make adjustable straps

Adjustable straps are very easy to make and will bring your sewing projects to the next level! All you need is a pair of bra sliders and ring, which are very easy to find, and cheap, at your local sewing shop. Let's do this...

One way layout

Knits 101... an introduction

Knit garments are very present in the fashion industry, since decades, and so are they in your wardrobe. You might eventually wish to make yourself a knit garment, but it is very important to know a few things about these knits. As the name indicate it, they are knitted and not woven, which make most of your sewing knowledges non-applicable for these. But this is no big deal... because today I will show you, in this article, the basics for sewing with knits. Once you've got through this article, you'll understand them better and will be sewing them with confidence! Let's do this...

Overlock seam finish

Stitches for knits

"Here’s a list of stitches suitable for knits and when it’s best to use them. Ensure to use the appropriate needles and thread too!"

What is clear elastic and how to use it?

Despite being more than often used in ready to wear, clear elastics are yet to be established in home sewing. Along an open back dress, encased in the shoulder, in the legs of a bodysuit or gathered in the middle of a top... these are only a few cases where this elastic can be used. Let's see how we can make good use of this discreet and colourless elastic!
 

How to serge with a sewing machine

No serger required! In this article I will show you how to overcast stitch different types of fabrics when you don't have an overlock or serger machine. Overcast stitches are mostly used to prevent fabrics to fray but they also create a neat finish to a seam.