Monday, September 24, 2012

Skinny Sketchbook Jeans

As promised.......
Sketchbook skinny jeans.

I previously blogged the construction for the oliver+s Sketchbook shorts here,so I shan't go over all that again.
Just the twiddles I fiddled with.
Firstly,to make the shorts into trousers use an existing pair and lay it over the shorts pattern front and back pattern piece and lengthen accordingly adding seam allowance around the edges.
You will find that you may taper the shorts pattern piece to line up with the trousers.

Here I have taken a Sketchbook trouser pattern I made for Hugo and tapered it to make a skinny jeans version.
I used a pair of size 8 Sketchbook jeans I  made Zara a few years back for a guide and added length.
Elsa requested a deeper pocket opening so I used a bread&butter plate as a template.
As you can see,by tapering the pattern some of the pocket is lost.
I also removed the front pleat as the girls are quite slim and don't need the extra fullness.
The back leg pattern piece.
As the pocket opening has been increased a new pocket piece will be needed.
Trace off the existing pattern piece.
Using the new front leg pattern piece,re-draw the pocket opening.
As Elsa requested a zipper feature on the pocket I needed to make the pocket bag longer to accommodate it.
Tailors chalk is really useful for these modifications.
Here is the new pocket compared with the original pocket.
NB I decided to recut this piece in cotton as I was worried about the pocket becoming too bulky.
The pocket bag had to be enlarged as well.
I cut the waistband with the grain as I didn't want that to stretch.
Elsa requested back pockets too!
I muddled up my own method for fitting the zipper.
It's not perfect but it's mine.
I started by drawing a rectangle the length of the zipper teeth.
I then drew a line down the centre and triangles either end to determine slash lines.
Cut the slash lines and take the chance to mark the other front leg.
Press the fold lines of the rectangle to the wrong side.
I used some scraps of interfacing to hold the folds in place.
Carefully pin the zipper in place from the top.
Using a zipper foot,top stitch in place.
The finished zipper from the wrong side.
The top stitched zipper.
As I mentioned previously,I recut the pocket with a cotton to reduce bulk.
I used some of my precious precious City Weekend print.
Normally,this step would be sewn RIGHT sides together,this time it is WRONG side of the pocket to the RIGHT side of the pants front.
After trimming,pressing and turning it should look like this.
So when you unzip you see this!
I then completed the pocket and top stitched it in place.
Continue on with the other pocket and put the front together.
Check out the tute mentioned above if you would like any tips.
As you have lengthened the pattern the hems can be uneven so I recommend pinning from the crotch seam out.
Match any notches!
Nearly there!
One pair of skinny Sketchbook jeans!
With zipper detail on the pockets.
A chance to show case some groovy fabric.
Cute little pockets.

For some seriously cute girls.
 Good bottom coverage.
 Groovy zippered pockets.


A nice high waist.
Snappy back pockets.
Worn with a light weight wool Class Picnic blouse
We have a winner!
xx N

16 comments:

  1. These are so stunning!! I will be giving these a try soon. Thanks for posting this Nicole!

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  2. My absolute pleasure Sharon!
    I am just so pleased I can sew things my girls want to wear but still look nice.
    Thank you
    xx N

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  3. Welted zippers !? -- you are a far braver woman than I am, N!
    Beautifully done and very stylish.

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    1. Welted zippers?
      Is that what they are called,thanks!
      So far they are holding up to washing and wearing.
      Thank you
      xx N
      PS Lurve your village frock!

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  4. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for sharing how you made these! They look great!

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  5. My absolute pleasure Cindy!
    Very cool and very quick to sew.
    Thank you!
    xx N

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  6. They are PERFECT! I am glad to see you are in good company while you sew, since it's where you spend the vast majority of your time :-)

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  7. Thank you Susanne!
    This is my room and I sew in it. Its filled with fabric and letters from friends.
    It's not perfect but it's mine!

    xx N

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  8. These are killer! I want a pair (that higher waist would be perfect for my mom bod, hehe). Seriously, I love that these are hip but also pretty modest for a teenage girl. I love that this pattern can grow with your kids. Those two patterns (one in each size range) are the best investment ever, huh?

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  9. It is definitely my most utilised o+s pattern Inder.

    We were both pretty happy with the compromise. Elsa tried on some skinny jeans in the stores but they fell off her hips and when she bent over her knickers were on view.

    I would definitely wear these too!
    Thank you
    xx N

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  10. What a clever Mummy you are!! These are so great. I just love that you are able to make exactly what they request.

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  11. Thank you Brittney.
    Its so nice when they are happy!
    xx N

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  12. I am a little late to the rave party, but I have to jump in to say that these pants rock! They totally look RTW (a compliment in the highest degree). Fun color too!

    Erin

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  13. Thanks Erin.
    Nice trousers are really tricky to find for the Twins as they are tiny with very curvy bums.
    Fingers crossed some new Clever patterns will accommodate their delicious derrieres!
    xx N

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