Well, hello there friends!
This is something quite a bit different for me — jeans!
Yeah, I really went out of my comfort zone with these as I very rarely wear any pants or jeans. I only have a few pairs of jeans in my closet and I’m in dresses and skirts 99.9% of the time. Plus, I know I don’t look that happy in these photos — well, I wasn’t! haha! 🙂 This, of course, has nothing to do with the top I’m wearing, as I quite like that one!
[source: Katy & Laney]
I was a pattern tester for the Geometry Top pattern by Katy & Laney, so my version is the test version that’s a little Tanya-ified. When I first saw this pattern I thought it would be perfect to use up the remaining yard of silk charmeuse that I used for this dress. I paired that with a silk crepe de chine that I found as a remnant at Britex Fabrics in San Francisco. As this pattern has panels, I could be creative with my pattern placement and managed to get it all cut out with the little bit of fabric pieces that I had.
As I was testing this pattern, I followed the instructions and made my top as is in a size 22. My charmeuse has some stretch and I used pieces of it for the original sleeves and thought it would stretch to accommodate my thicker arms, but it was too tight, so I ended up cutting it out and binding the armscyes, which gives my shirt more of a kimono/cap sleeve type flair. I used French seams and followed the instructions for the rest of it! It goes together well and the instructions are superb!
Inside
My neckline is a little different, too, than the final Geometry top. It was a little higher than this when I tested it and I ended up cutting it out and sewing in binding. Still not certain if that’s how I want it yet as I’m not sure it sits quite right, but it’s pretty comfy to wear.
My jeans are the Colette Clover pattern in a dark indigo stretch denim I picked up over the summer in Nebraska and meant just for this pattern. I have never made jeans or pants before and the closest I’ve ever come is pajama pants.
[source: Colette Patterns]
I graded up and cut out a 22/24 and basted these together to check the fit. They seemed to fit fairly well, so I then sewed them and finished them up. They were very quick and easy to make. I think I’d rather have a longer rise, though, even though it makes me feel like I’m wearing Mom jeans. I’m quite interested in the Closet Case Files Ginger jeans and may have to try again with those. I think I’m going to have to trade that invisible zip for a lapped jeans zipper. I’m not sure how long that will hold up! I’m honestly probably not going to be wearing these much though…. so maybe I don’t? But if I did wear these out and about, I’d really hate to have a wardrobe malfunction with that zipper!
No…. not happy….
Happier….
I really really REALLY love the denim that I used for these jeans though! It’s American made, nice and dark, great to sew with, medium weight (not to heavy, but not thin) and I like the finish. I may have just enough to make a skirt with it. 🙂
I really, REALLY look unhappy here… I think this was right after I nearly fell down after stepping in a gopher hole and just about split my britches! I apologize that these jeans are hard to see the details of as they are so dark and the waning light doesn’t help. They are pretty simple and fit okay. Not much else I can say about them. I do love my K&L top though and it was just the kind of thing I was looking for. I also love that I could use up my remaining Catherine Malandrino silk. 🙂
The VERDICT: I don’t like these pants on ME, I do like them on other people. I remain a dresses/skirts girl. I still don’t like pants. They are not my aesthetic. I look better in dresses and skirts. I’m glad that I sewed up something different and veered into jeans territory. I will sew another pair of jeans up again in another pattern (most likely the CCF Ginger). I do think I’d like to see some more examples of skinny jeans on curvy figures before I dive in again. I’m going to go sew another skirt now.
As far as the Geometry top — I think it’s the bees knees. It’s a damn good remnant/scrap busting top and I think it will look mighty good with a slim skirt. This was a complimentary pattern that I received as a pattern tester, but these are my own honest thoughts.
Happy Sewing!
- Top: Katy & Laney Geometry top in Catherine Malandrino silk charmeuse panel print and silk crepe de chine, made by me
- Jeans: Colette Clover in dark indigo stretch denim, made by me
- Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon
- Jewelry: Bauble Bar
- Sunglasses: Burberry
PS I have butter chicken simmering in my crock pot and it smells good. I just had to share. I also am not wearing these jeans as I write this, if I was, I’d probably be filling them up more after I indulge in my dinner. SKIRTS FOR THE WIN! 🙂
gosh I think they look great on you! I think you are just biased because you love skirts so much
I know you say you don’t like them, but you do look fabulous in them. Love the top as well.
im sorry you dont like them but you have totally convinced me to give this pattern a second look! and im diggin that top…such a pretty print. thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Dani!! 🙂
Hey, can I have that top? JK, but I do really love it!!! xo
Well if it’s missing, I know where it went! 🙂
That top is lovely, great use of fabric. I really like these pants on you.
However, it really does come down to personal style and taste doesn’t it. If we’re not comfortable, we’re not happy. I personally would love to live in skirts and dresses, my winter wardrobe is dress/skirt and tights. However, in summer I have to switch to shorts/pants because I find they’re more comfortable given my generous thighs. 🙂
Thanks! Yes, I do think if we’re out of our comfort zone we don’t exactly show it, do we? I love to wear dresses and skirts year-round with leggings and tights in the winter. Summer time comes with some special issues, doesn’t it? I’ve managed to figure that thigh problem out though, and am fine in the heat. 🙂
I think the jeans look very slimming on you. Nice top, too.
Thank you, Martha! 🙂
Tanya, this top is ADORABLE. I’m glad you got some more mileage out of that beautiful print. I am also tempted to try the Ginger jeans, but am less than enthused about the grading required. Could the Ginger jeans be a possible CSC sewalong topic, since I have seen a few other ladies say that they are going to work on them? Maybe not a full on sewalong with instructions and what not, but maybe we could start a forum topic or something to discuss grading and other curvy issues if a bunch of us are working on them at the same time? Just thinking out loud here…
That’s a great idea, Megan! I know that there are a few of the editors planning on making these and one already did. None of us are experts at pants making, but I think it would be fun to share and discuss our journeys in jeans/pants making/fitting.
First, let me say that the pants look really nice on you! 🙂 now let me say that it doesn’t matter how nice other people say you look, if you are out of your comfort zone in pants than don’t wear them. You dress to please yourself. If you feel pretty and sexy and happy in a dress, wear a dress. 🙂 good on you for going out of your comfort zone and giving it a try.
Thanks, Nita! Yes, I agree with you! It’s nice try other things though, to see how they are. 🙂
The top turned out great! That fabric is so delicious. I’m itching to try the Ginger jeans too. Thanks for testing.
Thanks, Katy! I loved testing and sharing this top. Can’t wait to see your Gingers as I’m sure they’ll be bad ass on you!
What a nice outfit! I love the colors in the blouse, and the jeans you made look great! Sometimes it is good to step out of our comfort box, and this outfit certainly proves that you can…..in style! Now you can add pants to your selection of outfits to wear!
Thank you, Vickie! I think if I wear pants though, I much prefer leggings. 🙂 Guess I’ll have to make those next!
I’m so glad you squeezed out a top of that remnant of amazing fabric!! It looks great, I love the lines and the fabrics you chose. The jeans look really great too, though I can imagine how flimsy the invisible zip must feel. I’m actually thinking of trying the Ginger jeans too, something about the hype around the pattern makes me feel like maybe I could do it!
I was really happy to make something else out of that fabric!!! It really is inspiring to see all of the Gingers out there and I can’t wait to see more. You would look so fab in those!
Great fit and nice jeans- but I get you, they’re just a bit ‘meh’. I think it’s because they’re tapered- I think that shape only fits a very very few women…maybe something with a slightly wider leg would give you the silhouette you like so much?
Yeah, I don’t like the tapered leg either. I’ve always been a bootcut jeans girl, but wanted to try something that was closer to what’s in style.
Don’t give up on the jeans I say. I would really recommend trying a straight leg rather than a skinny leg, it would probably be proportionately better. But hey, those jeans are flippin fantastic for your first pair – that demin, delux! I love, love, love that top, and that is some serious ‘melt my heart’ fabric.
Thanks, Sandra! That denim is definitely the bomb. I do like a straight leg and bootcut better. Now I know that I still don’t care for the tapered much.
You look great in this pants !!! Don’t give up ! Your look is perfect with the tee !
Thank you!!! Yes, I believe I will make another in a different pattern. 🙂
Don’t give up all pants because of the Clovers! I’ve read a lot of fitting woes with those trousers, and after making 1 muslin I scrapped making them all together.
In fact, I also thought that pants just weren’t for me, until I bought some jeans that looked AMAZING (one pair were from Forever 21 plus size section, which I had to take in at the waist, the other are Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, which fit me really well). And then, of course, the Ginger Jeans 😀
That silk is LOVELY and the top looks really nice on you 🙂
Thanks, Sophie-Lee! I can’t wait to see your Gingers. 🙂
I think the top and the jeans are just great; I like your dresses, but this is a nice change!
Thanks, Patricia! I really like trying some new things out, even if I don’t feel they are right for me. 🙂
I really like the jeans. Though they are out of your comfort zone a bit, I think they look really nice on. I keep saying that I am going to make a pair of jeans, but I just can’t get the gumption up to do it. But one of my problems is that I just can’t seem to find any denim that I love.
That seems to be a lot of the problem isn’t it — finding great denim! I just happened to run into this one and bought it right away! Can’t wait to find some more! It took me months to make these even though I had the materials. Always something better to make! lol 🙂
That is a great outfit. Try the pants with a longer top. I find I have to wear longer tops to have pants look good on me. I love your “jeans” and have fabric envy there. Wonderful top.
us curvy girls need to be careful about adding unshaped volume including length. i believe a shorter top and longer leg is more flattering to every woman.
I agree. On me, a straighter leg and longer fit look better. I think there’s a thin line with the length of a top as you don’t want it too long or short when you’ve got a belly going on!
I just bought the Deer and Doe Bruyere top and looking forward to seeing how that looks, although I would likely wear that with leggings and boots.
I totally agree with Barb and Carla… I think the suit you wonderfully! And the fabric made into the Geometry top is gorgeous! I do like you in dresses too though!
Thanks, Laurie!! Dresses are my fave and the most comfy to me! 🙂
great tailoring and you are definitely a pants girl. they give you such a nice long line. give pants a chance.
Thanks, Barbara! I will — but with another pattern!
OMG Tanya what are you talking about??? you are rocking on those jeansss!!! And that top has to make you happy… it is gorgeousss
Awe, thank you, Carla! 🙂