Hi folks,
I've just come back from the most amazing break away in Canada and the US. Bit weird to have watched the developments in the UK from afar (this was the topic of many a conversation as soon as people clocked my English accent) and strange to be back after so much has happened. But anyway, on a lighter note being away was wonderful- I swam in the sea in Vancouver, further up BC's Sunshine Coast, then in LA's Venice Beach and the OC's Newport Beach once we made it down to California. Swimming in the sea is what makes a holiday for me!
I had ambitious plans to have several things completed to take away with me, and although I did manage to pack a majority me-made wardrobe I didn't actually manage to take much that was created especially with me. Still need to get that shirtdress and pyjama set finished this summer! I did however to finish these jeans, which came in valuable for the Vancouver part of the journey. I finished them the week before we left, and these photos were taken today- so about a month afterwards and not having been washed yet!
These have seen plenty of wear- I actually wore them on the 9 hour flight out, as well as the first few days in Vancouver when the weather was a bit changeable. They also protected me from mozzies the first evening at the cabin we went to on the Sunshine Coast (the evening I didn't wear them I scored upwards of 20 bites!). I had a vision of taking some lovely snaps of these in action out there for this blog post, but somehow when being at the cabin it just didn't seem like the thing to do - we were too busy seal and eagle spotting, diving off the dock, exploring in the boat, BBQ'ing and drinking beer!
These have left an indigo tidemark on the inside of my white raincoat (d'oh) so I was afraid to wash them while I was away. I bought some new denim while I was at Mood in LA (as well as some great banana leaf print chambray!) so I'll wash it with that and a healthy dose of vinegar to try and prevent further dye transfer. Here are my apple-print pockets (left over from cushion-making, always great to match the furnishings right?) which are unlikely to stay a nice crisp white after the wash!
So, these are the Ginger jeans view A (low rise with stovepipe leg) made up in a size 12 with no adjustments. I've made these once before in corduroy, and the fit straight out of the wash is pretty decent (although being non-stretch they do bag out badly during the day). This is Italian denim from eBay, can't remember where, but it was around £8 a metre so seemed a safe bet for a second wearable muslin before I cut into the Cone Mills stuff I've been stashing for too long now! This denim seems to be pretty decent quality and a very classic colour, with a decent heft to the weight. I am a bit underwhelmed by my rivets though, I definitely need to move on to the nicer ones included in the Ginger jeans kit for a more professional look.
These are comfortable to wear, but the waistband has got a bit bent and flips out slightly under the belly after a while (not the most flattering look) so normally I would wear them with a longer untucked top to cover this. I'm quite tempted to try and draft a mid-rise to avoid this as my abdomen isn't my favourite feature so I'm not that comfortable showcasing it. I could probably take a teeny wedge out of the centre back waistband too for my swayback, but it doesn't gape quite as much as previous RTW jeans I've owned. I prefer to wear these rolled at the ankle like this as the full length somehow feels a little bit 'blokey' on me. It doesn't show so much in these photos with my heeled clogs, but with my everyday brogues I almost feel like I should be sporting braces and a flat cap.
I really like how classic these are, and I have to say I actually found the contrast topstitching a bit easier than my first go of black-on-black. Maybe it's having had the practice now, but I also thinking being able to see it properly helped a lot! I also took my black Ginger view Bs away with me (these are pretty much my only pairs of trousers now) and they survived a hike up the Grouse Grind (although I confess I did have to unzip them at a particularly steep bit for ease of movement! Luckily I had a long t-shirt on). I can't wait to make more jeans!
How's your summer sewing going?
NorseOtter xxx
I've just come back from the most amazing break away in Canada and the US. Bit weird to have watched the developments in the UK from afar (this was the topic of many a conversation as soon as people clocked my English accent) and strange to be back after so much has happened. But anyway, on a lighter note being away was wonderful- I swam in the sea in Vancouver, further up BC's Sunshine Coast, then in LA's Venice Beach and the OC's Newport Beach once we made it down to California. Swimming in the sea is what makes a holiday for me!
I had ambitious plans to have several things completed to take away with me, and although I did manage to pack a majority me-made wardrobe I didn't actually manage to take much that was created especially with me. Still need to get that shirtdress and pyjama set finished this summer! I did however to finish these jeans, which came in valuable for the Vancouver part of the journey. I finished them the week before we left, and these photos were taken today- so about a month afterwards and not having been washed yet!
These have seen plenty of wear- I actually wore them on the 9 hour flight out, as well as the first few days in Vancouver when the weather was a bit changeable. They also protected me from mozzies the first evening at the cabin we went to on the Sunshine Coast (the evening I didn't wear them I scored upwards of 20 bites!). I had a vision of taking some lovely snaps of these in action out there for this blog post, but somehow when being at the cabin it just didn't seem like the thing to do - we were too busy seal and eagle spotting, diving off the dock, exploring in the boat, BBQ'ing and drinking beer!
These have left an indigo tidemark on the inside of my white raincoat (d'oh) so I was afraid to wash them while I was away. I bought some new denim while I was at Mood in LA (as well as some great banana leaf print chambray!) so I'll wash it with that and a healthy dose of vinegar to try and prevent further dye transfer. Here are my apple-print pockets (left over from cushion-making, always great to match the furnishings right?) which are unlikely to stay a nice crisp white after the wash!
So, these are the Ginger jeans view A (low rise with stovepipe leg) made up in a size 12 with no adjustments. I've made these once before in corduroy, and the fit straight out of the wash is pretty decent (although being non-stretch they do bag out badly during the day). This is Italian denim from eBay, can't remember where, but it was around £8 a metre so seemed a safe bet for a second wearable muslin before I cut into the Cone Mills stuff I've been stashing for too long now! This denim seems to be pretty decent quality and a very classic colour, with a decent heft to the weight. I am a bit underwhelmed by my rivets though, I definitely need to move on to the nicer ones included in the Ginger jeans kit for a more professional look.
 |
| Close-ups from when these were freshly made and unworn |
These are comfortable to wear, but the waistband has got a bit bent and flips out slightly under the belly after a while (not the most flattering look) so normally I would wear them with a longer untucked top to cover this. I'm quite tempted to try and draft a mid-rise to avoid this as my abdomen isn't my favourite feature so I'm not that comfortable showcasing it. I could probably take a teeny wedge out of the centre back waistband too for my swayback, but it doesn't gape quite as much as previous RTW jeans I've owned. I prefer to wear these rolled at the ankle like this as the full length somehow feels a little bit 'blokey' on me. It doesn't show so much in these photos with my heeled clogs, but with my everyday brogues I almost feel like I should be sporting braces and a flat cap.
I really like how classic these are, and I have to say I actually found the contrast topstitching a bit easier than my first go of black-on-black. Maybe it's having had the practice now, but I also thinking being able to see it properly helped a lot! I also took my black Ginger view Bs away with me (these are pretty much my only pairs of trousers now) and they survived a hike up the Grouse Grind (although I confess I did have to unzip them at a particularly steep bit for ease of movement! Luckily I had a long t-shirt on). I can't wait to make more jeans!
How's your summer sewing going?
NorseOtter xxx
Wowsers!! Your jeans are brilliant! Also, I love your top, did younmake it too please?
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynne! I love your flared version of the Gingers, am keen to give flares a whirl sometime too, but maybe with an added nautical touch! I'm afraid I can't take credit for the top, it's a strapless bodysuit with a touch of bust ruching from Bershka about 8 years back.
DeleteThey look really good. I plan to have a go at a pair myself when I get back from my own hols. I have some cheap denim that has a lot of stretch; might be too much, but we'll see...Glad you had a good break. Jen
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen! This is my third go at the pattern and definitely my best yet - I do wear all my versions regularly though, I highly recommend it. Hope your jeans turn out well!
DeleteHi Sassy, I'd be flattered! Of course you can share.
ReplyDelete