You know the pattern by now… and you’ve either sewn it or thought of it, right? So I’m here representing for the big-bottomed girls – here’s how View B works on a rather round pear!
The good and the bad: Sadly for me, my hips are actually an inch too big for the largest size of this pattern. Happily though, Heather Lou assured me on Twitter that the larger sizes run a bit big… and lo and behold, I actually had to cut the hips down a size!
Here’s some other good news: The rear crotch curve was an exact match for my trusty Style Arc Elle pants! Except it took me 8 muslins to get that curve on the Elles, and didn’t have to change a thing on the Gingers! (Well, that’s very almost true…more detail later!)
You know a pattern is good when your fingers itch to make it again… which I why I now present you with 3 pairs sewn in 3 days!
Pair One: Super-Stretchy Black Twill
First thing you’ll notice in the pic: I switched the normal waistband for my favourite covered elastic waist! I first posted my love for pull-on jeans in 2012… and they really are perfect for me. Super high waisted, they stay in place, are comfy and don’t cause muffin top. ‘Nuf said!
These were my muslin – can you believe that I was such a careful seamstress as to baste everything together for a fitting, the rip it all out and resew? Yikes. And after all that, I still had to take in 2″ from the outer side seams. That’s what I get for using fabric with 50% stretch! (This is actually the reverse side of some brushed grey twill I’ve used before… but I’ve decided I hate the wishy-washiness of grey pants, and I wanted black!)
These are the snuggest fit of my 3 pairs – the calf is noticeably tight to the leg. Normally I’d think that was too tight for pants i=I wear to work, but these are so stretchy that I think it’s ok.
(Side note: If I were to be picky, how should I get rid of the diagonal wrinkles from my knock-knees, without making the outer side seam longer, which gives me shar-pei wrinkles instead?)
Pair Two: 30% Stretch Denim
These are going to be wardrobe workhorses! I wore them yesterday, and the denim didn’t bag out at all during the day. Yay! I also taught Phys Ed in them and has no fears of flashing anyone anything. Win.
The biggest differences between Gingers and my trusty Elles are:
- Gingers have a narrower leg; Elles are straight cut.
- Gingers have wider rear pockets than the pockets I’d been using. Elles don’t have pockets unless you add them!
- Gingers also have front pockets.
And now, enough of those sensible basics! I present pair #3: Crazy Pants!
I bought this fabric and finished the pants the same day. They are thin and unseasonable for winter, but dammit – Knitnbee makes me want tiki style all year round!
These twill for this pair is lighter wight and only has about 10% stretch. Because of those two factors, I was wary of over fitting. I actually added .5″ to the outer seams, and I needed it!
As promised, here are the fit changes I made on all 3 pairs:
- removed wedge from back yoke
- added wedge at front waist. (I’ve decided to face facts that my belly deserves and needs fitting adjustments too.)
- scooped out front crotch curve to avoid you-know-what
- lowered waist .5″
- shortened… uh… some at the ankle. Maybe 3″? I’m 5’2″. I pushed myself to hem them a bit shorter than I usually do, so that they fall better. I hope they don’t shrink in the wash though!
- I topstitch in normal thread because I’m lazy.
- Skipped the fly, although my RTW pull-on jeans often have a full fly even though there is no zipper.
I found it useful to try the pants on inside out after sewing up the side seam but not topstitching it. I had to take in the pairs varying amounts, depending on the fabric’s stretch. Leaving that outer seam till last made it easy to fine tune the fit.
Finally, here’s what the camera doesn’t show you in the other pics…
… the MASSIVE Nordictrack that has taken over my indoor photo space! I joked with Heather Lou online that I should just pose on it, so here you are! (This is what my apartment always looks like, FYI – stuff everywhere!)
Overall, I’m sure you can tell that I’m thrilled with the pattern! No pattern is perfect for everyone, but this one suited my curves well. I made a conscious decision to go with good-enough fit and not to overthink it. I don’t want to make a million muslins, I just want to have pants to wear that are better than RTW! There’s a big fabric sale locally this weekend, and I’ll be on the lookout for more Ginger-worthy fabrics.
Do you own any pull-on jeans/jeggings? Is there any reason that a standard waistband is better, except that it’s prettier if it will be seen? (Needless to say, mine are so high-rise that it’s out of sight all the time!)
Crafting A Rainbow 
OK, elastic-waisted high-rise jeans is GENIUS! Why have I never thought of that?? I haven’t got the Ginger pattern yet but my list of reasons why not is just about run out 🙂 These are all so great, though actually the ‘boring’ black ones are my favourite. I think they look really great on you with the very slim leg!
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Thank you! I am really really pleased with the pattern. I think you’ll love it too!
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Ooo – love all three versions! Just finishing up my first pair as well, and that is one fantastic jeans pattern! Can´t wait to make more. 🙂 I love a nice waistband to hold things in, but I really like to wear high-waisted things and tuck shirts and tops in them, though…
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Tucking tops in *IS* a good reason for a real waistband. It’s not something I’ve ever tried, so I didn’t think of it! It’s the kid of look I think works best on hourglass shapes… my waist is not something I want on display! 😉
Can’t wait to see yours!
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Love your jeans, especially the flowery ones. Everybody should have some of those. The fabric is great. I like your idea for pull-ons. I hate zipped trousers. They are so uncomfy with my mum-tum. Xx
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Down with tight waistbands! 😛 I mean, really – who wants their stomach constrained in one spot, if it’s just going to bulge out elsewhere?
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I love them! I’ve been contemplating pull-on jean. I never tuck in my shirt, so I think they’d actually be more flattering as well as more comfortable. Now that I’ve seen someone young and sassy in them, I’ll worry less about being too old-woman-y. 🙂
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Hehehe – I’m glad to be called young and sassy! I spent a decade being the youngest person in any of my jobs… then suddenly a 24 year old got hired and felt OLD!
Personally, I totally think a high elastic waist ends up being more flattering than a standard button-up waistband, which on me always slides down below my paunch and causes all kinds of unsightly lumps! Who needs that? Elastic all the way! 🙂
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They look great. I especially love the flowery pair.
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Thank you! I’m glad I went with the crazy fabric. Might not get worn the most, but it makes me happy!
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Well done! So great to have comfy, well fitting jeans.
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Thank you! i’m so pleased that the pattern did all the heavy lifting!
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It’s good to know they work on curvy backsides! I was already sort of thinking this pattern might be on the list of “patterns to treat myself to after surviving pregnancy”, since it might be easier to start from scratch with a new pattern than tweak my self-drafted one to fit whatever shape I end up with. This review adds more points in its favor. 🙂
Also, I’ve not been a pull-on-jeans person, but the stretchy fabric waistbands on maternity jeans surprised me with how comfortable and easy they are to deal with!
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I think you will like the pattern! Definitely bootie-friendly. Looking at the promo pics, I decided that Heather has the same shape of hips as I do – widest right at the lowest part. That gave me hope for the pattern!
Maternity waistbands do look comfortable! For me I find that as long as the elastic waistband sits right at my true waist (aka above my belly button) they really stay put all day and are super comfy but trim and flattering. Flattering, that is, right until you take your top off at night and your partner sees how high your pants go! 😛
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These are all fabulous! And your elastic waist is brilliant…. I could use some of these this month. Groan. And I really want that floar fabric! AND YAY FOR NORDICTRACK POSING!!!!
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Thank you!! I’m really happy with the pattern. These are the pairs I pictured right from the time I had to turn down pattern-testing – even at the time I knew I’d want to make pull on ones and that would be no good for your testing process! 😉 Now the only problem is finding good fabric – so pretty please, put together more kits!!!
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Love the fun floral ones. Those will be great in the spring. I can see the comfort factor of the elastic waist band, my only concern would be adding bulk.
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As long as I use the right elastic, I don’t find them bulky… I cut the fabric of the waistband at the same dimensions as the top of the pants, so it isn’t gathered up and adding bulk. Somehow it seems to work for me! 🙂
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These look amazing!!!
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I wish you could come over and try mine on – I think they’d look great on you!
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These all look fantastic & I’m loving the pull on bands! I’ve been contemplating getting some so the thought that I can turn gingers into them is another tick for gingers – don’t know why I don’t think of these changes but so glad you do!
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I was really pleased how easy it was to turn the Gingers into a pull-on style! The high rise version is perfect. I’ve tried low-rise elastic pants before, and the elastic just slides down… but for me, if it’s right at my natural waist, it stays put all day!
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Really really cute, especially that last pair. I’m glad you ended up making them in the Hawaiian print 🙂
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Now you need a pair of your own! 🙂
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I know! I have the pattern, just need the supplies! I’m going to Mood in a month or so, so hopefully someone can help me find the perfect denim!
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These all look great Gillian!! I love those floral ones! You are making me want to try the elastic waistband as I bet they are super comfy!!
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Thank you! my next pair is going to be a closer fit with contrast stitching… wish me luck that they turn out as well as yours did!
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Ahh the Ginger jeans… think its time i got me the pattern. Love all 3 pairs esp the floral.
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Thanks! I think it’s a really solid pattern, with great instructions!
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Genius. .. brilliant idea to turn them into jeggings. Going to give them a whirl now – you’ve convinced me. Maybe in a nice coloured ponte. Just have to sort out my archer muslin fit issues first……
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I’d be curious to try a ponte version too! I wonder what they’d be like to sew and wear?
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Only one way to find out. Will have to wait til I can order more fabric though😩
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I am in love with this idea of stretch pull-on jeans! Jeans are forever sliding down on me, and I hate how the waistband just makes an ever more egregious case of muffin top as they slide down. This is an amazing solution. I’ve been thinking of getting the Ginger pattern for the high-waisted version, which I hoped would help that problem. I think the high waist paired with your method might be right on the money!
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YES! That is exactly the problem I have. RTW pants slide down under my gut and cause awful lumps and I spend all day pulling them up. This style works perfectly for me as long as the elastic is at my natural waist – then it stays put all day! I used View B, the highwaisted version for these ones.
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Love all of them!!!
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Thank you!
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I love these! They fit so well and are super cute. Thank you for a different take on the ginger pattern. Congratulations!
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Thank you! I’ve got fabric for another pair lined up… I’m going to try a closer fit this time with contrast stitching. Wish me luck! 🙂
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Don’t know if I’m brave enough to try jeans, but these are great, especially the florals!
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These were really, really easy! I basically took out all the hard parts: Fly, waistband, contrast stitching, hardware…. but they still are very wearable pants! And I’d say my versions took half the time of making “proper” ones… which suits my sewing style perfectly! 😉
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Love the crazy fabric ones but they’re all great! I’m amazed you made one a day! I don’t have any pull on jeans but everyone tells mr they’re very comfy, maybe i should give them a go too!
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My versions are definitely a simplified version of the “real” version… which made them such a joy to sew! You should definitely give the pattern a try!
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I’m behind on my blog reading so only seeing all your lovely gingers just now. Anyway, I like how you modified the pattern to suit your tastes. Why not put elastic bands in the waist! Teacher has to teach that PE. 🙂 Great job over all.
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My class is doing a dance unit this month, so we’re dancing to Just Dance videos on Youtube a lot… which is currently my only exercise, so I’m trying to really dance along with them! (Which, of course, my principal walked in on yesterday… while we were dancing to Ghostbusters! I’m not sure which earned me the funny look… 😉
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Great jeans! I think my favourite are the stretch denim. I love me a high waist. Buying this pattern has just gotten more tempting. 🙂
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No pants pattern is perfect for everyone, but I’m really liking the modern cut of the ginger jeans! It’s a good starting point!
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Jeans are on my list of goals for the new year. Maybe I should try these… Yours look great. Yay for crazy pants!
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Come on, sew some jeans… you’ll be glad when Me-Made May rolls around! 🙂
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I think you may have convinced me to try them – I think we have somewhat similar body shapes. Maybe I’ll be brave and dive in!
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Yay! I was hoping that seeing skinny jeans on my big hips would make other people trust the pattrrb would work for them too! 😉
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All three pairs look great and I love that you made that crazy tiki pair! 😀
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