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I broke down and bought new jeans! Could have sewed them better..but now I don't have to.
Kaitlinnegan Intermediate WI USA Member since 8/13/06 Posts: 602	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/23/08 11:29 PM I'm pretty happy with myself - I have had a really hard time shopping since I started sewing 3 years ago. But, the fact is I don't sew enough yet to keep up with the new clothes I want/need. I've been wearing jeans that are 2 sizes too big for probably a year and a half, and I finally got sick of it. This is really nice because it frees me up to make more knit tops, which I love sewing! My new jeans fit really well, but I must say, the quality leaves a bit to be desired. The topstitching in particular is shameful - I would never be satisfied with some of the flaws if I had sewn them, but you know, no one looks that closely anyway. Anyway, just wanted to share - I know there have been some make vs. buy threads around here lately, and I am definitely one of those who feels like I should make everything. So, don't feel guilty about not making *everything* new in your wardrobe!
Flying Seamstress   Advanced SC USA Member since 2/5/08 Posts: 158	Login to reply to this post In reply to Kaitlinnegan Like this post Date: 10/24/08 2:48 PM Good for you! Hey, IF you can find jeans that fit you really well, you SHOULD go ahead and buy! And no 'guilt' allowed! In the meantime, I will continue to wear my ill-fitting store-bought jeans while I work on a TNT jeans pattern. Gail
juliette2 AUSTRALIA Member since 6/18/03 Posts: 1082	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/25/08 8:34 AM Many people like to cook and also like going to a restaurant occasionally. In the same way, people who like to sew should also feel good about buying clothes when they want to :) ------ It's a custom-made designer original. I made it myself.
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6148	Login to reply to this post In reply to Kaitlinnegan Like this post Date: 10/25/08 5:48 PM Kaitlin, I agree that any woman who sews has a hard time shopping for RTW. But with your busy life, I'm amazed you have time to sew anything, let alone everything, in your closet. I think it's great you found a some new jeans that fit you well and recommend that you buy at least another pair. Don't worry about the topstitching -- remember you didn't sew it. In a few years when you have more free time, you'll be able more clothes than you could possibly wear. But for now, you should consider sewing to be your hobby -- and not your sole source of clothes. -- Edited on 10/25/08 5:49 PM -- ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
Kaitlinnegan Intermediate WI USA Member since 8/13/06 Posts: 602	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/25/08 10:01 PM Juliette2 - that is a great analogy! Nancy - the truth is, right now my schedule is not all that busy. Grad school right now is more like a regular job, plus I get to make my own hours. I guess I should be working closer to 60 hours/week rather than ~40 that I'm doing, but right now I would probably have time to sew the things I need if I didn't waste so much time on the computer. But, still, I should make clothes more because I want to and less because I have to. I think I made a big mistake when I didn't go out and buy new clothes when I lost weight about 2 years ago. Anyhow, I recently "discovered" thrift store shopping - I feel a lot better spending $5 on a shirt I could have made better than I would paying full price. Oh, but I still do have to hem those 2 pairs of jeans to the right length... I vow to get that done before tomorrow evening!
FirecrackerKTM Intermediate CO USA Member since 3/28/08 Posts: 2333	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/26/08 10:47 AM Jeans and sweaters are two things I still buy (along with underthings, socks, and other odds and ends). But I did break down and buy the jacket I was asking about the other day.
Sherril Miller   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7474	Login to reply to this post In reply to FirecrackerKTM Like this post Date: 10/26/08 10:55 AM Sweaters are something I buy also along with socks, undies, and shoes. I have a great fitting jeans pattern, so I don't buy those any more. I'm taking a class in February to learn how to make my own bras and then I think I'll tackle fitting a underwear pattern. I've tried in the past and the fit was awful. RTW just fits better. ------ Visit my blog at http://sewingsaga.blogspot.com If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well; and if it's worth sewing well, it's worth FITTING FIRST! - TSL
halleyscomet   Intermediate PA USA Member since 3/27/07 Posts: 1392	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sherril Miller Like this post Date: 10/26/08 7:24 PM I actually found at Kohl's a pair of blue jeans that fit! I bought a size 10 petite and I didn't even have to hem them! These are the most comfortable jeans I have ever owned. They are slightly low waisted but they donot gap open in the back! They are by Lee and you can actually see the white elastic band inside the pants.
Mrs.Moos   Intermediate CA USA Member since 11/5/02 Posts: 2344	Login to reply to this post In reply to Kaitlinnegan Like this post Date: 11/1/08 4:27 AM I have, will and would buy jeans rather than make them. I just think it is hard to "knock off" some jeans. Right now I am wearing Riders by Lee "Instantly Slims You" bootcut jeans. I have to admit they didn't instantly slim me but the squashed in my belly a little!For less than $20 I am happy with these jeans and I wouldn't attempt to make them. I did buy a black washed pair--same size 14 but they have a gap at the back waist. The denim ones I am wearing now don't have that problem and they are the same size etc. I went to wear the black ones the other day and noticed the gap. I ran into the sewing room to my machine that conveniently was threaded with black thread and stitched 2 small darts--right through the waistband and all! I cringed doing that but since I don't wear my tops tucked in anymoreI don't have to worry about anyone seeing my quick-and-dirty alteration!Next time I will try each pair on before buying! Lately I have been making underwear for myself so there are some days when I am wearing literally everything "homemade" except for bra and shoes! My DH thinks that's both funny and cool ------ Brother ULT 2002D, Janome 6500P, Babylock Eclipse SX, Juki MO654DE, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX, Singer 15-91
Kaitlinnegan Intermediate WI USA Member since 8/13/06 Posts: 602	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/1/08 11:46 AM I hope to try making jeans again someday. I actually plan to make a pair of trouser style jeans in the near future, but those will be a looser fit than what I normally wear for jeans. I'm hoping that now that I have a couple that fit well, I can use them to further tweak the patterns I have tried. We'll see if I get that ambitious. Mrs. Moos - good call on the quickie alteration! It was really hard to find jeans that didn't gap in the back waistband - I didn't even think of altering them. Thankfully the 2 pairs I found don't gap. I did finally hem them, but one of the 2 is still a bit too long, I think. Somehow I have a hard time getting hem lengths right. I don't want my pants to drag on the floor at all, but I don't want the "high waters" look either. Well, thanks for the support of my shopping decision, everyone (as cheesy as that sounds!). Now, time to get back to sewing!

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