Let's Be Honest about the Ash Jeans By Megan Nielsen Patterns

[@jillben-dor5906]

Loving this series so much. I’m learning a ton! Thanks!

[@SewSewLive]

Nice! Good to hear.

[@alexandraemrick2799]

Thank you for the review, I enjoyed this one and am probably going to make a pair. At 29:20 you mentioned doing a video on changing out the fly. I'm particularly interested in this as the only thing I didn't like about these jeans is how the fly looked. Did you ever make this video? I can't seem to find it. One more question. At 9:20 you flashed a photo of you wearing the ash jeans and you were wearing an awesome kimono style wrap blouse. Would you please tell me the pattern name/number?

[@SewSewLive]

Thanks for watching! I just made another pair of these jeans from start to finish recently and streamed it. One of my viewers was very kind and made time stamps. Plus you can adjust the speed. Here’s a link to the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWK4d4ywp7p1osk I don’t have a how to for an alternate zipper fly on KZbin. But I talk about it in this live stream. Are you by chance in my sewing community Sew Sew Guild? There is a Skill Building Session all about Pants Closures and I share a zipper fly and address this there. If you’re in the community let me know and I can tell you more about accessing it. Lastly, the top is the Texas Top by Personal Clothing. And I have streams for that too! Just search for them on my website and all the links are there.

[@thecpikas]

I'm so in love with the Dawn jeans, I'll have to try these, too. Very useful review.

[@SewSewLive]

I like those too! Thanks for watching.

[@raslalique]

Thank you so much for this series. It's highly needed, especially since the Indie pattern market seems so full of covert marketing techniques. It's reached the point where I actually shrink from pattern companies which have too much marketing. I don't know why designers leave the markings like waist, knee etc off. Who is the market that doesn't need that? If they think not everyone needs this info then they should include it as a layer that can be turned off if needed. I am petite and have to shorten everything. I need those lines. I bought this pattern a couple of years ago and haven't made it yet. I am on the upper limit of the "regular" size range also. Your review has made me move this up further on my list of things to sew. I agree that this company does not seem to market to the plus community very well. Their loss I guess.

[@SewSewLive]

I hope you like them! Let me know what you think. :)

[@lynngates1662]

Thanks for the review, it's wonderful to hear your thoughts on this one; I love the Ash pattern as well! I've made 4 of them myself, and you've hit the mark on the points about the fly. The first 3 didn't go so smooth, so I just substituted a different pattern's instrux for that part. After doing patterns that prep all the small bits first and then assemble the backs and fronts, that does flow a lot better. Re: the seam allowance marking - as you were speaking, I was visualizing all the seam allowances with all the cutting lines and the lines are all so close together 😨 haha They are a good go-to pattern! 👍

[@SewSewLive]

Thank you Lynn! And yes that would be chaotic for the seam allowances but I would like them stated on the pattern pieces if they won’t be at the beginning of the instructions. They don’t need to draw them in for me. That would be a serious jumble!

[@lynngates1662]

@@SewSewLive Yes! After 40 yrs of sewing with Big 4, where everything was standardized, I still get tripped up with the indie ones where everyone has their own way of writing things. So for now I appreciate when the s/a is noted for every step 🙃😁 My seam ripper is in no danger of losing its job! haha

[@Seejaysew]

Thanks for the helpful review. I’ve been looking at jeans patterns and have been very confused so it’s great to see an impartial review.

[@SewSewLive]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck on your search :) Let me know what you pick and how it goes!

[@k3of5ks]

Oh my goodness!!!!! Another HUGE frustration. Pattern companies please take notice!!!! Put the stinking seam allowance on the first page or cover sheet of instructions. This happens more than I can tell you. I have to put my Sherlock Holmes hat on to find a seam allowance. Why???? Is it an afterthought? Are we expected to read minds? I’m halfway through watching and had to stop to post this. On to watch the rest. 💗

[@SewSewLive]

YESSS. Why is it so hard to find? Thanks for watching, Kristi.

[@amdelorey]

@@SewSewLive yeah, I think they could put it on the bottom as a footer in instructions and it would not be too much!

[@donnajago]

I love the Dawn Jeans, they are my go to jeans pattern but I have just brought this pattern, can't wait to try it!

[@SewSewLive]

I like those too! I should have made mine smaller since the denim I used really likes to relax by mid day 🥴

[@rggonzales6248]

Two thumbs up for your thoughtful review !

[@SewSewLive]

Thank so much!

[@libbybowles]

The Ash jeans are my go-to, too. I've made 3 pair. I love that they fit me right out of the envelope...that never happens! So I'm very biased in favor even though that's just a coincidence. I think it's also pretty cool that you and I wear the same size and yet our bodies are very different. That's probably due to the virtue of stretch woven, but my guess is, too, that the draft makes the most of the intended fabric. The envelope and instructions tell me stuff I never knew I wanted to know, but boy it's nice! I have to disagree with the idea that because you're not seeing a lot of larger sizes in the hashtag means they're not marketing to that size range. Maybe it's true but as a larger lady I have to say I'm way less inclined to post my makes than I did or would if I were in that slimmer size range. Body positivity movement aside, I believe a lot of us bigger gals just don't enjoy putting ourselves out there on social media. And since they don't control the hashtag I can't really blame them. I think I appreciate, too that they haven't made a separate hashtag for the Curve range, that would just foster more "otherness". Hopefully with the new Curve pattern we'll see more representation, but it's a complicated issue. Thanks for the honest and interesting video

[@SewSewLive]

I love that we wear the same size too! I completely agree about your thoughts on the lack of posts from 'curvy' sewists but i stick to what I said. There are plenty of Curvy sewists out there sharing. But I really haven't seen a lot of marketing to encourage folks to sew this one who identify in that size range. And I only saw one maybe two posts that *might* have qualified in the Curve range but I don't think they were. I agree about not having two separate hashtags too. I don't think separating the communities by size would be a positive thing to do unless the 'curvy' group wants it like that-and I would respect that choice 100%.

[@libbybowles]

@@SewSewLive This whole discussion is so valuable. You’re a visionary 😍.

[@SewSewLive]

Lol hardly. But I love the discussion.

[@shereemckinnon3896]

Thanks Saremy, what I liked about this pattern as well (from your video, I haven’t made them) is that you can make multiple styles. Your review actually made this pattern look do-able. Jeans are an aspirational sewing goal for me, and I didn’t think I was quite ready but maybe I am! I have the Azores Top and Dress pattern already so I am looking forward to see what you have to say about that one.

[@SewSewLive]

I think you can do it for sure. Especially if you think you can! Set yourself up and chip away at it! Jeans are easily broken in to a lot of manageable steps.

[@helenv2906]

what a great review, I hqve purchased and made the ash jeans too and love the fit but like you I do have a bulge tummy and is having the same problem with the zipper showing enough that people would said that my zipper was broken. I havent made another pair bevause of that reason. was wondering if you could make the video and showing us how to change that style of zipper and I could finally have a good pair of jeans. thanks for doinf these vidoes< i find them refresing and very informative.

[@SewSewLive]

It’s such an issue! I will try to do a video but I’m super busy with the Guild I started. You might like it! I’m very active in there. You can check it out at SewSewGuild.com. The video is definitely on the list! I promise. But I’ve got some other things in the works right now. Thanks for watching!

[@helenv2906]

@@SewSewLive -Thank you so much for the reply and yes will check the sewsew guild. Thank you for letting me know.!

[@SewSewLive]

My pleasure!

[@hazelbakker914]

I haven't made the Ash jeans yet, but I recently made Dawn, and they don't seem to suffer from the same visible zipper problem, so I am a bit concerned about making Ash (which I've already printed). I do have to say that I agree with the front pocket comment, they just don't go far enough forward on the Dawn jeans either, so I'm guessing it's common with this designer. I'll keep that in mind when I make my Ash jeans.

[@SewSewLive]

The Dawn jeans are a button fly! So they don’t have that zipper fly issue. I wear Ash Jeans all the time and each time I wince when I see that brass zipper shining at me in the mirror. 😆 I’ll put a video together how to adjust it for anyone wanting to avoid it soon!

[@hazelbakker914]

@@SewSewLive I did mine with the zipper fly modification, which is included in the pdf pattern 😊

[@SewSewLive]

Oh that's really awesome! Thank you for telling me. I have already recorded my Dawn Jeans video but I haven't edited it yet, I'll let folks know it's included in the PDF (it is not in the printed version). And that's pretty funny it doesn't show on that modified version! Maybe use that one for the Ash Jeans ;)

[@knottygnome]

i enjoyed this review, thanks. i have the pattern but i've never made it. i have to say, i would've dinged the pattern more for the zipper installation. i have seen lots of pictures with the zipper slightly exposed like that but i always assumed it was the sewer, not the design. that would drive me absolutely batty. in fact, i don't think i would even make these jeans unless i knew i could find a fix for it beforehand. i wonder if the lack of popularity of the curve range might be due to "too little too late" i.e. there are other patterns catering to plus size like the Cashmerette Ames or the Muna and Broad Noice jeans and that customers have looked elsewhere for jeans patterns that cater to them.

[@SewSewLive]

Technically it’s accurate. And I feel like seeing patterns for jeans are 50/50 with this style. You don’t have to use it though! If you have another fly from another pattern you like better you can use it. I’m pretty sure the Ames and Ginger and the jeans designed by Wardrobe By Me have a better alternate style. One of these days I’ll make a video!

[@littlehouseinthebigapple5716]

Oooo! So excited to see this. I am literally just about to try this one! My pattern packet looks a little different, but I’m guessing it’s the same thing!

[@SewSewLive]

Yes, my pattern was from a subscription box, so I’m not sure how old it is. And if you have the pdf version, it’s most likely up to date with any new info. And if you have the Curve version it could look a bit different. Good luck! Happy sewing!

[@gills8752]

Thank, this is brilliant! Is there a way to sew this fly/zipper without it being pulled or would I need to substitute another patterns fly? This is my first jeans and I'm convinced I'll already have the fly pulling open due to my extra tummy fluff!

[@SewSewLive]

Yes I’d suggest a different style. Do you have any other pants patterns that have a zipper fly? I plan on doing a tutorial but it’s not filmed yet.

[@lorriwall2523]

Thanks for the info. I prefer the different zipper style too-it makes a difference!

[@SewSewLive]

I totally agree!

[@JaniceWiles]

I just found you! Love your channel !

[@SewSewLive]

Nice! Glad you’re here!

[@littlehouseinthebigapple5716]

Btw…. My intention is to extend the rise… do you think this pattern is suited for this adjustment?

[@SewSewLive]

You can do any fit modifications you like to your jeans. :)

[@DM_MT]

The one thing that makes me hesitate when looking at jean patterns is the lack of thigh and calf measurements. To feel equal for all sizes these measurements need to be added for all sizes especially when extending.

[@SewSewLive]

You’re absolutely right! I don’t give enough emphasis on those two but I hope they’d be on the website. I understand if everything can’t fit on the pattern envelope but those measurements exist! And a full chart of them on the website would be so appreciated.