Jeans, Jeans, Roses are Red....

Readers, the first time I sewed myself jeans, I was over-the-moon excited.  Can you see the look of pride on my face?  (This was early September, 2009, and I had only been sewing for a few months).  I wore those pants to death.



Last May, I led a successful Jeans Sew-Along, and that was fun too, especially because I made myself (and Michael) white jeans, which I've since learned I'm much too much of a slob and lazy launderer to wear.





Today, as I prepare to whip up a new pair of indigo jeans, I'm....well, let's just say I'm not quite as enthusiastic.  It's always fun to start a new project of course, but jeans are jeans.  (Am I the only one who still uses the word dungarees?)

I already have my topstitching thread, an assortment of which always makes a pretty photo. 



Some people like to use a combination of golds and blues; I'll probably stick with the golds for the visible topstitching and use the blue for other seams; we'll see.  I may run out and buy a darker zipper, not that it matters, since it won't be visible.



I haven't decided on my pattern yet.  I have a number of vintage patterns (I used Simplicity 5048 for my very first pair of jeans, though it required some tweaking as the yoke is a little too wide for my taste and the pattern doesn't include back pockets or normal jeans belt loops) but I may use my TNT Kwik Sew 3504, which I used for the Sew-Along last year.





I know once I get started, I'll start feeling the love -- I haven't sewn for over a month.

 I'll most likely be using my Singer 201 for most of the job.  I usually set up two machines when I'm sewing jeans, one for topstitching thread and one for regular thread.   The second machine will likely be either my Featherweight or Singer 66 treadle. 



I still haven't done anything about my other pants, the ones with the big rip at the knee.  Maybe I'll feel inspired when I'm working on these jeans.



Meanwhile in maternity land...

Readers, I consider myself a decisive person, but I had a terrible time making up my mind about which maternity patterns to purchase.  The ones I liked most were often not near the correct size, or way too expensive.  Call me crazy, but I just can't bring myself to buy a pattern for $25 in the right size when it's going for $5 elsewhere in the wrong size.  I'm not naming names but I find some of the vintage pattern vendors who maintain their own websites to be awfully expensive (especially compared to Etsy and eBay).  Cathy is only going to get to wear this outfit for, what, four or five months?  Of course, it's conceivable (no pun intended) she could find herself in this situation again, but let's see how motherhood suits her first. 

I ended up opting for the Lucy rather than the Jackie; it's just more fun.  Here's what I picked up (disregard the sizes, these are just the best photos I could find).

This will be a light spring coat.  Look familiar?





And this will be the main outfit.  I decided I simply had to have that back pleat and front gathers -- so classic Fifties.  I miss Advance patterns (which were the J.C. Penny house brand), don't you?



Readers, I could talk maternity all day and I know many of you could too, but I must get to work.  Tempus fugit!

In closing, just how excited do you get about sewing jeans -- 1) very very, 2) just very, or 3) not-so-very very?

Have a great day, everybody!