Let's Be Honest about the Morgan Jeans by Closet Core Patterns

Welcome to my new series, Let's Be Honest Pattern Reviews by Sew Sew Live
The Morgan Jeans kicks off a mini-series about Button Fly Jeans. Stay tuned for a review of the Glissando Pants by Love Notions and the Dawn Jeans by Megan Nielsen Patterns.
Have you sewn the Morgan Jeans? What do you think?
You can find the pattern here: tinyurl.com/yrmde858
Contact me: Are you a Pattern Company who wants to get their Pattern Reviewed honestly? Or chat about the standards? Please contact me!
Rubric: If you want to download the guide of Ideal Pattern Standards, you can do so here: tinyurl.com/4ys3bud4
Playlist: Check out the Pattern Review Playlist and follow to catch them all: tinyurl.com/3x8h7np5
Links: My Morgan Jeans Cutting and Sewing videos: tinyurl.com/3jkvb6rt
Time Stamps
0:00 Intro and Overview of Pattern Envelope
4:13 Website/Blog/Hashtag Review
10:37 Review
26:03 My Opinion
32:05 The Rating and Tally
If you want to find all the videos in this series or if I've sewn a particular garment, head to my website: sewsew.live/ It's not a trick to get you to my website (but you do get a free pattern if you sign up for my newsletter).
On my website, use the search bar to find a pattern I am sewing or may have sewn. You'll find some quick notes and all the video links in its description plus some photos.
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[@kimt2au]

Thanks for the review. I was so glad to hear you comment on the photos of people with their hands in their pockets. It is a particular bug bear for me as I get so annoyed at not being able to get a good idea on fit when hands in pockets distort the fit.

[@SewSewLive]

I totally agree! Or no back views or one leg bent.

[@jennyhassler]

Every time you say it made jeans available for all of us, for home sewists, etc, I remember how excluded I am from the home sewing community because of my size. I watched worried how high you’d rate these given how limited the sizing is. I know you care about this issue, and I appreciate how much visibility you bring to limited sizing. I have to say it’s frustrating that a pattern is “pretty darn good” that is so limited.

[@SewSewLive]

I'm really glad you're telling me this Jenny. Did I really say they make jeans for all of us? (ohhh you mean that they started the home sewing jeans movement so-to-speak). I should have chosen my words better. I am sorry. I really want these reviews to be mostly data driven in my imperfect way of reviewing them. I do give myself 40 points to influence and I should use those more wisely. And I will from now on. A pattern can still score how it's going to score based on the facts. And it may do well. But I can make it more clear how I feel personally about certain aspects with my points. I'm liking these conversations and I want to push myself further. I had planned to not review any jeans for a long time because I wanted to get my stride with these reviews- I knew I'd be a bit nicer possibly early on. I was really excited to sew non-stretch jeans this week that went up to a 67" hip. But I don't think I'd recommend them unless one is a straight silhouette (not too much difference between waist and hip). I drastically had to adjust them to fit properly. The side seam had no curve whatsoever. Ugh. Anyway, thanks for watching and all that you do, Jenny!

[@standassuredconsultinggrou523]

Thank you for your frank and detailed review. I am getting ready to sew my first pair of jeans and Morgan Jeans are a strong contender. I also wanted to share a source for denim I found: I travel a lot and recently came across a gem of a store that sells Japanese fabric in Tacoma WA, it's called Shibori Dragon. They carry different weights of denim. I think they have website and also ship within the US. Just wanted to share a source, that's all. I am looking forward to more patten reviews, and thank you again!

[@SewSewLive]

Ooh I haven’t heard of them! Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying the reviews. And happy jeans making! (I reviewed the Ash Jeans already too however they are zip fly and stretch).

[@alekimannamikela]

Thanks, this pattern is on my to do list, and the info about the relatively low waist is really helpful!

[@SewSewLive]

See what you think! It could be in the right place on you. Happy sewing!

[@nancypollard4531]

I think this is a very fair assessment of this pattern. The Morgan jeans were the very first pair of jeans I ever made. And I consider them a success! Yay! I got my pattern in a subscription box so I really didn't choose it. I don't know if I would if I was just shopping for a jeans pattern. I probably would have picked the Ginger jeans. I've since made the gingers and I find the Morgan's even easier than the gingers. Seam allowances. I agree I wish it was notated all throughout the pattern directions. I've gotten into the habit of writing the allowances on the pattern pieces as I trace them. I'm really loving this series and it is ever so fun when I see that you have rated a pattern that I am familiar with.

[@SewSewLive]

You’re the reason I got these! Thanks for watching Nancy!

[@Linda-ku4xq]

I agree that I would love patterns to indicate what body type the garment fits best on! It would be fabulous to know that something works better on an hourglass figure, or a small/large waist to hip ratio, or however they want to define it. It would be nice to be able to pick a pattern suited to my body type before going to all the work of sewing them, and then adjust from there.

[@SewSewLive]

Yes those notations are essential. I’m not sure why they aren’t on most patterns. When I learned to sew they were! And it wouldn’t clutter it!

[@dcgudger]

Super cute buttons, Saramy!

[@SewSewLive]

Thanks!

[@amierikke6225]

Great review! I especially loved hearing your views on starting with the back versus jumping into the fly. I bought this pattern when it came out, but never sewed it. It just was so fresh and Indy patterns were getting popular. I was in the size range at the time but even so, I would of needed to do some alterations to the pattern to fit and I never started. It would of been very difficult at the time for me to successfully sew these, especially without basic pattern notations of hip and waist. It still would be a challenge. I am wanting to make jeans now, but I’m out of the size range and I would need even more adjustments so I most likely will not use this pattern.

[@SewSewLive]

Thanks for watching Amie! You might like the Dawn jeans then-they have more sizes. Still no notations of hip and stuff but at least you might not have to size up!

[@cjmiller5972]

I'm just getting started in home sewing - the last time I sewed anything I was 13 year's old, and I'm 56 now, so it's been a while! Anyway, I decided to sign up for Closet Core's intro course after looking at reviews and seeing the size and model diversity on the website for many of their patterns, and I am now looking at pattern reviews to see if I want to do the denim course as well. I was very disappointed to see the lack of size diversity and model diversity in the Morgan Jeans pattern, but I did see that the Ginger pattern page on the website has addressed many of these specific problems. I am hoping that the Morgan pattern becomes more widely sized as well, since I am NOT a size 20. LOL Anyway, I REALLY enjoyed your review and plan to look at more of your pattern reviews since I think that reviews as detailed as yours make it much easier to home in on exactly what kind of patterns are going to make good ivestments.

[@SewSewLive]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad you found it useful. And I hope they come out with more sizes for the Morgan as well. They’re not very forthcoming so it’s hard to tell. But I’m sure it’s in the works. The Dawn jeans could be a good alternative. (By Megan Nielsen Patterns and I have done a review of these as well. There is a lack of size representation for those in their marketing and the hashtag but the sizes are available. Cheers!

[@aleciacope3503]

Thank you!

[@SewSewLive]

Thanks for watching!

[@joannetait7985]

Coming late to this review (nice video, btw). They either had a bunch of upgrades in the pipe or you got them to move, but now they have two size ranges (the new one being 14 - 32) AND now they have layers in their PDFs, as well as projector formats. I'm looking forward to making the Mitchell trousers but after watching your series on them, I'm really going to make a muslin before using my super cute fabric. Thanks!

[@SewSewLive]

Oh I doubt I had anything to do with it! And I imagine it was in the works for a bit. But I did see this and I’m so happy about it! Thanks for watching.

[@hazelbakker914]

Thanks for sharing this! The Ginger and Morgan patterns were both released before it became common to include layers in PDF patterns. Closet Core has been slowly updating their patterns to their new size range, so hopefully these jeans get updated too. For the record, I find the rise on these jeans too low as well, and I'm not particularly tall. The Ginger jeans were the first jeans I ever made, followed by the Morgan jeans.

[@SewSewLive]

You’re right! They’ve been out a pretty long time. I feel like I was fair about this. I appreciate the fact they even made jeans and got the community excited! But I also think when we think of Closet Core we think Ginger jeans. So I am more surprised it wasn’t at the top of the list. My fingers are crossed!

[@hazelbakker914]

@@SewSewLive I made Morgan in 2018, and they’ve updated the sizing on some of their patterns since then. Given that it was the jeans patterns that got people excited about their offerings, you would think they’d update the sizing on them too 😊

[@SewSewLive]

Exactly!! I know new patterns are coming out very soon. I think lingerie. Maybe there’s some updates too!

[@janegoodall2520]

It's jeans-making season in the southern hemisphere, so this is really timely - and very helpful commentary. Low-rise/ mid-rise alert is crucial. I will never again wear jeans that cut into me when I sit down. Seam allowance ???? - how many indie patterns have this problem! It should be right there, prominently stated on the cutting layout page. But I might give these a try. Key fit points - I'd love to see indie patterns identify these and put more focus accordingly. Lower hip ( just below crotch and rise at front and back are what it's all about. Get those wrong and you're stuffed, so why not include advice upfront at the cutting stage?)

[@SewSewLive]

I’m so glad it’s good timing! I have two more jeans reviews coming soon too! And I completely agree with you!

[@Indydi]

This pattern comes in layers if you open it with Acrobat. I thought it came in bigger sizes too, but I was thinking of Ginger. I have both patterns. But Morgan is definitely layered.

[@SewSewLive]

That’s great! Layers are so helpful.

[@maliora]

I feel like since the Morgan jeans are an older pattern they could easily get more photos on their page via soliciting photos from people who’ve already made them (and offering to pay them as well). Even just linking a couple of the popular instagram hashtags (and saying “use this hashtag to post your makes!”) on the product page would go a long way.

[@SewSewLive]

Yes true! The hashtag is there. It’s small and toward the bottom. But it is not linked unfortunately.

[@helenv2906]

I love the pattern but not a big fan of button fly jeans or pants. Im wondering if they can be converted to zip fly and how to do that? Thanks for the review

[@SewSewLive]

Yes! I mentioned that I think -there’s a tutorial to convert it to a zipper fly. It’s in their resource list on the website.

[@knottygnome]

i made the morgan jeans many years ago and also found them to be very low-rise. i liked the pattern but i won't make them again because there are so many other patterns on the market that are high-rise. i also found the gingers lower at the waist than i would really want them to be--more of a mid-rise on me. i do have a long torso.

[@SewSewLive]

I had to raise the Gingers too-but I honestly think I could have purchased the wrong rise version-I never went back and checked. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought they are low though!

[@elenacolon-marrero1482]

This pattern really suffers from being an early release (2016?) when they only had their initial size range. They’ve mentioned that they are working on expanding it but that’s about it. I wish CCP was more forthcoming about how their expansion efforts are going on their older patterns like the Morgan and Ginger Jeans. My hope is that when they do extend the Morgan’s they also include layers in the pdf (I don’t think they’ve done projector files yet) and update the formatting of the instructions. On their newer patterns the seam allowance is noted in a big box right before the sewing instructions.

[@SewSewLive]

I agree with you. I know it’s a legacy pattern and wasn’t held up to the sizing and pdf standards we have today. Maybe they’re making sure they’re getting them just right before releasing extended size versions 🤞

[@Brackinese]

I think I was initially turned off of this pattern because all the model's poses make the crotch drop and fold in a way that's really unflattering, so thank you for mentioning that in this video. And thank you for giving CC such a well-rounded review on their pro-jeans attitude! Would you consider doing the True Bias Lander Pants in this button fly series too? I'm really coveting those deep rectangular slash pockets, but I've heard that sometimes TB's drafting can be on the iffy side. I'm not asking because I'm looking for you to trash TB (it would be great news for me if the pattern was solid!), but it might be nice to get an opinion on them as well as including another button-fly option.

[@SewSewLive]

I haven’t sewn those! Otherwise I would have totally included them. But I do this thing occasionally where I give a hashtag review and I’ll add it to that list. Is that the pair of pants that doesn’t have a side seam?

[@Brackinese]

​@@SewSewLive Based on briefly looking at the hashtag, I think it does have a side seam - it mostly looks like a standard button fly pant, but the pockets are really prominent. The fit on the crotch seems to vary a lot based on what I'm seeing, though that might just be par for the course on pants?

[@SewSewLive]

I’ll be honest-I do know those pants. But I haven’t been interested because of the fit either. I think I confuse them with the Persephone and those don’t have side seams. That must be it. If your fit is straight (not much variation between waist and hip) the Landers could be a good choice. But I agree, the fit looks strange(the front thigh looks tight and the across hip does too). The back looks pretty good though and they’re very popular! There’s my makeshift review without sewing them 😁 so I’m not sure how fair it truly is.

[@nola-gurl9595]

In all fairness this was one of Heather's first pattern release. She has sense been size inclusive. She is slowly resizing her older patterns

[@SewSewLive]

I feel like I was pretty fair 🤷🏼‍♀️ The gingers expansion just came out. And I love these jeans! I don’t have anything against them. But I try to only make things that are for everyone. Thanks for watching! I welcome all opinions!

[@nola-gurl9595]

@@SewSewLive It was a very fair review! You are such an honest soul...I thank you for all the time & energy you put into your videos!

[@SewSewLive]

Oh thanks! I wasn’t sure if that was your takeaway. I appreciate it!

[@malinhillevi]

I agree with you; great pattern, but expand the size range already, and please give us layered pdf files

[@SewSewLive]

Yep 🙌🏼

[@thecpikas]

I don't know if someone already mentioned but the company just went through a metadata cleanup exercise and tried to convert everyone to #closetCoreMorgan (but it has 10% as many posts as the one you used)

[@SewSewLive]

Oh that’s interesting! I didn’t know that-thanks so much for telling us ☺️

[@SewSewLive]

I just realized they haven’t updated the hashtag on their website too. Maybe once they do they will link it to the posts. That’d be nice. Thanks again.

[@DM_MT]

I noticed on IG some sews had issues with the fly not laying flat and the horizontal crease at the base of the zipper fly drive me nuts. This basically made me think hard No on this pattern. I do know people probably try to hack or make their own alterations that may not work and they gave up trying. I really get detailed so I’m probably more judgmental. She’s a fantastic instructor but I wish her jeans course actually walked through sewing one if her patterns. Instead it’s like reading a watching a video series on technique only.

[@SewSewLive]

I wonder if the crease is the button placement some folks used? Button flys are pretty lumpy! I’m sure folks would love to hear reviews about their and other peoples sewing courses! Thanks for sharing that!

[@roi-lynnmunsey8317]

Those triangles don't appear to be part of the current pattern envelope. At least not on the picture.

[@SewSewLive]

Oh interesting. So maybe it was just a design element. Not a skill level indicator after all.