Curated by ITF - Issue 46

Sewing Jeans Skills Kit

The Sewing Jeans Skills Kit is a resource that can stand on its own. From the tools you need, a guide to denim and techniques for getting that professional finish, this resource covers everything you need to know and nothing you don't, AND breaks it down into manageable chunks at the same time. It is a resource you will refer to over and over.

By working through the Skills Kit you will gain confidence with:

• Jeans fly front
• Jeans pockets (patch pocket and side pocket with coin pocket)
• Flat-felled seams
• Sewing a yoke
• Top-stitching
• Attaching a waistband
• Working with velcro and rivets
  
• And more!

Burwood tool roll

Sewing a sampler is a great way to learn a new technique or build confidence before using your ‘good’ fabric. Trying new skills on a functional piece like a tool roll, is far less intimidating than sewing an entire pair of jeans, and we hope it will encourage you to focus on improving your skills rather than obsessing over perfection.

But, as you would expect from us, this project is no ordinary sewing sampler! It covers all the jeans-making techniques we want you to learn and practice, but comes together as a gorgeous tool roll that can be used to store your sewing and patternmaking tools.

The Burwood tool roll includes a fly front, patch pockets, and front curved pocket with coin pocket. You will also sew a range of different seam finishes used in jeans-making. You will have opportunity to test your machine settings, try topstitching and install
hardware.

The tool roll folds up to 30cm x 23cm (11¾ x 9in) and closes with Velcro and snap fasteners. When unrolled it is 30cm x 81cm (11¾ x 32in). It has some pockets on
the outside to store small tools and a customisable interior for the specific tools you own.

Notions

• Coordinating thread
• 3 spools of topstitching thread
• 0.5m (0.6yd) lightweight interfacing
• Optional: 8 jeans rivets
• 18cm (7in) jeans zip
• 1x 17mm jeans button
• Optional: Small amount of felt (this is used to create flaps for storing needles) - 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in)
• 2 x 15-18mm (⅝-¾in) snap fasteners
• 1m (1.1yd) x 2cm (¾in) wide Velcro

Fabric requirements can be found here.

Pattern includes seam allowances.

Mighty Networks group

By purchasing this issue you will gain access to the extra resources we shared in our online community when we released the project. This means that you will be able to ask questions, share your makes and connect with other makers who are also on a mission to learn new skills and sew clothing in a slow and conscious way. 

Difficulty

The pattern is placed at a Level 3.5 on the In The Folds pattern skill scale, and has been designed for intermediate sewists and beyond. Beginner sewists shouldn’t be put off from giving this project a go, however as we have included absolutely everything you need to know about sewing jeans.

By working through the Jeans sampler Skills Kit and Burwood tool roll pattern, you will gain confidence in sewing a range of different techniques specific to jeans, while developing your finishing skills so that you will be ready and raring to go on the Burwood jeans pattern in June!

Digital product details

Sewing Jeans Skills Kit: 91 pages of sewing technique tutorials and content. The booklet is suitable for printing on both A4 and US letter sized paper, or can be viewed onscreen using a PDF viewer.

The Burwood tool roll pattern is suitable for printing on both A4 and US letter sized paper. A copy shop version is also included in the file (A0 or US 36" x 48").

Print at home pattern:  30 x A4 pages
Print shop version: 2 x A0 pages