Ginger Jeans Pattern

I bought my first sewing machine at age 58 in December 2020 to make masks, just to give a background of my lack of experience before trying these jeans. I did dive into things head first though--after masks and bowl cozies, and made a collarless jacket and then a collared blazer. In Oct 2022 I decided to try jeans. After a little experimentation, I ended up doing midrise skinny, but opened up the seam allowances down the leg to 3/8" to keep them from being TOO skinny. I used a white stretch denim from Mood Fabrics. I was so sure they'd come out completely botched that I didn't even use a real jeans zipper--just a regular nylon one. Also bought the video tutorial and used that and the online free tutorial for most of my help.

They not only fit me really well in size 8, but came out so well that I wish now I'd used a jeans zipper. The fly wasn't bad at all, nor was the topstitching or belt loops. The only thing I had trouble with was installing the button. I was afraid I'd ruin my jeans, and that was the very last step. Hubby got involved and used a pliers, which slightly dented the button but got it mostly on (still not over that last hump). I don't know how other people are doing it, but that really was the only hard part of these jeans. They took awhile, but I'm a slow sewer. I did the entire thing on an old Kenmore from the late '60s, including a manual buttonhole using the tack stitch, and finished seams on my Juki MO-655 serger. Also, went thru the motions of doing the coin pocket, but didn't actually sew it in, as I wanted these to look a little less like jeans (did topstitching in the fabric color for the same reason). I'm thrilled to death, and have fabric to make many more. Next I'm going to try the stovepipe legs with a low seat adjustment.

The only thing I wish is that there were an option to NOT sew the pocket stay. I don't like all that fabric up front. I made my own regular pocket, and it came out fine, but it would be nice to have that option already with the pattern. Thinking about a hand press for the buttons though.

Everyone raves about this pattern, and Heather deserves all the praise she gets. This experience was really fun. BTW, even without the low seat adjustment, these jeans fit me better than anything RTW that I own.

These jeans fit so nicely and the pattern is well laid out and easy to understand. These were not my first jeans, and I made some small changes to the pattern in order to make sure that they fit me, the biggest of which being the blending of sizes 28 and 30. These are my favorite make so far and I will definitely make more of these later!

I bought this pattern, because I loved the general shape with a high-waist, and knew I could use them as a starting point for the wide leg, cropped jeans in fashion right now. It took some trial and error, but I am so happy I dove in! The pattern is very easy adjust and the instructions easy to follow. I will definitely be making more with varying leg shapes.

I had never made jeans or trousers before and had only put in one zip so I was a little nervous starting my ginger jeans. I bought some cheap stretch denim and just followed the steps especially baste testing the fit. I had to only make minimal changes.
I liked them so much I made a second pair straight away in stretch polartec lined denim- great for walking in cold weather. This time I made the high waist with wider leg and I love the fit. I plan to make at least one more pair in black denim but some shorts would be good too...

After watching YouTube videos first making these jeans was fun. My friends think they are store made.

Merci

Thank you for the pattern.
And thank you for help me so the pattern would fit me.
I have made me 4 pants that fit me perfect.
Thank you.

The directions along with the thoughtful design, and Heather Lou’s virtual jeans making class made it possible for me to make jeans after only sewing for 6 months! The sizing seemed to be on the large size, but in the course, Heather explained how to baste fit and make changes. You can do it. You can make jeans!

I bought this pattern 60 days ago and already made 3 pairs of jeans. I love and wear both views. The pattern fits me well with minimal adjustments. Great quality instructions.

J'ai déjà cousu 2 fois ce patron. Quelle fierté de coudre un vrai Jean. Au début ça fait peur. Mais ce patron est vraiment très facile à comprendre. C'est un patron que je vais coudre et Re coudre.....
Un basique de sa garde robe cousu main.

The was my first pair of pants I’ve sewn. The instructions are very clear and inserting the zipper is a breeze. Closet ore patterns also puts out a ton of resources on modifications and properly sizing the crotch so it’s so simple to get the fit right. LOVE THIS PATTERN - never going back to store bought jeans which never fit my butt or just way to long in the legs!

Bought my fabric from blackbirdfabrics.com - they frequently get Cone Mills S-Gene denim which is wonderful to sew with.

That’s the astonishment I feel at this result. I wear them often and every single time I just feel such satisfaction. It was such a great pattern, full of helpful advice about how to adjust, improve and advance your sewing so that the finished article is something really special. I’ll make more, for sure, and love the ones I have made already.
https://heatherymakes.wordpress.com/2020/07/05/ginger-jeans/

Great pattern, great instruction (with "sew along" support on the blog!) and final result - great fit (I've made size 10, mid-rise stovepipe leg, fortunately no fitting problems ) . It was my first (and the second!) pair of jeans I've ever made and definitely not the last.
Thank you Close Core Patterns!

I haven't worn jeans for over 20 years - until I came across the Gingers, that is! Great instructions, super fit, and easy to alter. I did graft the high waist onto stove pipe legs as I wasn't sure about the skinny look, but I am tempted to make a 2nd pair just to see how they look! Really like the back pocket collection of designs too - makes choosing what to do with them much easier! They're also surprisingly comfortable to wear so I think I have to come out from under my rock and try that 2nd pair. Thanks for making the process so much easier!

Good pattern, clear instructions and easy to alter to fit. I did the flared leg expansion pattern, had to take a fair bit out the length (I am not exactly tall) but the pattern instructions and additional online resources made fitting very easy. The comfiest pair of jeans I have had in a long time!

I'm teaching a jeans class soon and selected the Ginger jeans as a choice for the class participants. I've made two pair in preparation for the class and must say I do love them. The instructions are clear, helpful and include all those little things you need to know about when you make jeans. I know the class is going to love the pattern too!