Sewing with Denim | Tips, Techniques & My Favorite Handmade Pieces

[@amikrenzel5788]

I was wearing homade jeans today to a quilt retreat. A lady came up and ask me where I got my jeans as she thought they fit and looked so nice and wanted to get a pair. She was so disappointed when I told her I made them as she did not want to try sewing jeans. Amazing the magic of sewing and being able to get a perfect fit. Loved your video. My jeans were sort of like the ones you sewed with the wide legs but a Simplicity pattern I got a few years ago.

[@SewPomona]

Totally agree- sewing is just the best! Thanks so much- hope you’re having a great weekend!

[@marilynmetz226]

I always feel that being able to sew is so empowering!

[@mscurlypixie1]

Glad to hear you and family are ok after Milton. Love the tutorial part. It was great. Thanks for sharing.

[@SewPomona]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you're having a great weekend.

[@francescaleaton4973]

What a brilliant vlog - fantastic tools and aides and how you have improvised with the hammer and the piece of wood. I just love watching your vlogs. Love everything you bring to the sewing community. Thank you Rebecca With love Francesca ❤

[@SewPomona]

Thanks so much Francesca! I like to make use of what I have on hand. Appreciate the kind words! Hope you’re having a fantastic weekend!

[@rebeccaw9656]

Haven’t sewn jeans yet, but I have sewn a denim skirt, which was a great way to learn how to sew with denim. I agree, I love how denim wears as it ages, making it more beautiful and interesting - I do love your oldest pair! I also love all of them in different ways - thanks for the pattern and fabric suggestions, and the tips and tricks.

[@SewPomona]

Thanks Rebecca! I do love a good denim skirt! Jeans aren’t any harder to construct other than installing the zip. Happy sewing!

[@mickeyhinkson1750]

Beautiful work! The fit is fabulous 😊 For places like that back seam you might try a glue product like Steam-a-Seam. It comes in 1/4” rolls and saves a ton of hand basting.

[@SewPomona]

Thanks so much! Great tip! I love hand sewing but Steam-a-seam is a great option. I sometimes use the Sewline glue sticks for basting too.

[@janetlink9756]

I love the backround jazz music playing, it's inspiring.

[@SewPomona]

Thanks Janet!

[@MartyMakesStuff]

Makes look great! I love the turquoise too!

[@SewPomona]

Thanks so much! Appreciate it!

[@marieg2815]

Great! I have sewn denim trousers but I have not sewn jeans yet. I’ll definitely come back to this when I do. I really like all the cool details you add.

[@SewPomona]

Wonderful! Thanks so much Marie!

[@catemccoy2974]

I hope this video means you and your family are safe from hurricane Milton. Your ideas and brilliant sewing is such an inspiration to me. I have made a couple of pair of jeans, but sadly I have gained weight and they no longer fit. So I have everything I need and laid out to start cutting another pair. I thought I would try the Worker Trouser from the Modern Sewing Co. a British company. Thank for sharing!

[@SewPomona]

Thanks so much Cate! We're on the East Coast of Florida (near Ft. Lauderdale) so very little effect from Milton, luckily. We've been busy this weekend taking down our hurricane shutters and moving all our outdoor furniture back out to our patio. Changes sizes is always a hassle when you sew your own clothes- I have jeans in my closet that are too small and too big. I checked out that pattern- really cute! Those will look fantastic. Happy sewing!

[@yvonneimms9762]

Thank you for this vlog, really interesting to see different Jean styles and weights of denim. You make the sewing look so easy, although being organised with everything to hand must help. I love your top too so that is now on my wish list. I cannot find your Pinterest blog, the link didn’t work for me, can you share the name and I will search for it. Finally so glad you are safe, it must be so worrying for people. Take care ❤

[@SewPomona]

Hi Yvonne! I do like to stay organized- and have all my supplies ready to go before I start any project. Here's the Pinterest link: www.pinterest.com/sewpomona/everything-denim/ and my blog is Sew Pomona. I double checked the links (in the description) and they do look like they're all working. We're really used to the hurricanes after living here so long- plus we don't live directly on the coast so it's all good. Thanks so much! Happy sewing!

[@nanrussell6423]

Thanks for all these great tips. It is nice know that the California jeans pattern has great instructions. It is going on my "to sew list," as well as the Tabor top you are wearing. I like the wide V-neck detail and the fabrics that you sewed it in. I just had shoulder surgery, so I won't be sewing for awhile, but I can still watch videos and plan! Thanks, Rebecca.

[@SewPomona]

Thanks Nan! Always good to have a “to sew” list. Hope your recovery is going well and you’re getting some rest. Have a great weekend!

[@RoseGold...]

Thanks for this wealth of information Rebecca. My next project is to make my very first pair of denim jeans. I have the same undyed cream denim fabric as you have, and I purchased brass/gold hardware. Maybe I am old school, but I am going to attempt to add the rivets in the corner of the coin pocket and the top and bottom of the pocket curves. I purchased all my supplies several months ago so after watching this video I think I have everything I need. I'm drafting a jean pattern using my Butterick 4659. I hope that my jeans turn out as beautiful as your jeans. My vision is to make a matching denim vest.

[@SewPomona]

Love it Rose! Good luck on your first jeans! I have made a few with rivets before and love the look! (I knew I would forget to mention something in the video.) A matching vest sounds amazing. Happy sewing!

[@lisart2488]

Great video Rebecca. I am very inspired now. I have a denim skirt which has been cut out for months so that's now progressed up the list to make. I also have some beautiful natural denim I want to use. Thank you 😊

[@SewPomona]

Wonderful! Thanks so much! Happy sewing!

[@Mrs.Patriot]

You do a great job with your videos! I haven't reached that skill level although I do have quite a bit of denim on hand. I got a mystery box from Nick of Time Fabric, who's having a 50% off sale right now sitewide. They have denim made for Wrangler, and other made in America fabrics too. If you're interested. I'm not affiliated, just like to peruse offerings and share info. I don't know how their denim compares to the places you mentioned but the prices seem good. Thank you for walking through all your tools. That's really helpful to someone getting back into sewing after a long time away. My brother lives in Jacksonville and he escaped the devastation suffered by others. I can't imagine what people in NC and Tampa and elsewhere are dealing with. Heartbreaking for sure. Take care and thanks for sharing your tools and process.

[@SewPomona]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it! I’ll have to check them out- always looking for new fabric companies to try. Happy sewing!

[@TheEvie202]

Those turquoise jeans came out great 👍🏼. I love the use of selvages! Beautiful job topstitching, too. Topstitching is SO hard for me.😂

[@SewPomona]

Thanks so much! Topstitching is definitely not my strength- so I’m really pleased with this pair! Happy sewing!

[@nancyhurt7145]

I love making jeans, but I use a straight piece for my waistband as my waist to hip ratio is about the same. No curved piece ever fits me. Also, I learned on my first pair from Closet Core Ginger Jeans to sew up the crotch seam and try them on. I always have to pin out any curve on the outer seams to fit my straight torso. Handmade jeans are really fun to sew if you just relax and enjoy the process! Lots of great tips you provided. Glad to find your channel today!

[@SewPomona]

I usually prefer a straight waistband too if it’s at my natural waist. I will say I usually baste it together to check fit before sewing up my seams. I treated the natural version as my wearable muslin and used my sloper to compare the fit. When I draft my own I make a few toiles first before making them in denim. It really is so relaxing to take your time and sew up some jeans! Happy sewing!

[@deborahreed4057]

When I make my jeans, I use a twin needle for my top stitching, looks perfect every time, no uneven stitching, looks professional.

[@SewPomona]

Twin needles are a great option! Thanks for the suggestion. I did see they have the Jean weight now- I need to try some out.

[@deborahreed4057]

You're going to love it. Test a sample to check out the stitch length you like. I tend to go a 4, or 4.5 depending on the fabric weight. Happy sewing. 😊

[@angelajackson6801]

I love your iron. It looks powerful. What is it? I struggle getting a good iron. Really enjoyed your video. Thanks.

[@SewPomona]

Getting a good iron- that lasts- is always tricky. I have a Rowena Focus 1725W. I’ve had it now for over a year, and I really like it. Happy sewing!

[@suebrown5500]

What a great video - thank you so much. I’ve made the Megan Nielsen Ash jeans, which I love and am about to make some more. So many good tips in here! Never seen that tool you used to mark the fly topstitching line - what is that called please? Thanks again from the UK ❤

[@SewPomona]

You are so welcome! The tool is called a Hera marker. It's my fave marking tool. Happy sewing!

[@rnpenelope5672]

Do you have a pattern for the tee you’re wearing? It’s super cute.

[@SewPomona]

It's the Tabor V-Neck by Sew House Seven! I just love it. Pattern and Fabric details are in the description. Happy Sewing!

[@luannjacoby6186]

Thanks for the great video. What is the marking tool you showed? Something you use for quilting? I don't quilt, but I'm always looking for convenient marking tools for garment sewing.

[@SewPomona]

That’s a Hera marker. It’s fantastic! I used to work for Art Gallery Fabrics and learned some great quilting techniques I can now incorporate into my sewing practice.

[@luannjacoby6186]

Thank you! ​@@SewPomona

[@janetlink9756]

What are the maker of your tweezers? Where did you get them? It doesnt say in the description. Thankyou

[@SewPomona]

Hi Janet- This is the pair I have from Amazon: O'Creme Stainless Steel Precision Kitchen Tweezer Tongs 6.25" with Fine Tip (Blue). This length is great. Happy sewing!

[@bakerwannabe4435]

I really wanted to watch this video and listen to you but the constant playing of music at the same time makes it very challenging.

[@SewPomona]

Sorry about that. I usually open my videos with music and set it as background for the remainder. It is a bit louder than I usually set it. I must have missed it in the edit.

[@1954evelyn]

You really don't need this annoying music!!!!

[@SewPomona]

Sorry about that. I was editing quickly and it is set a bit louder than usual.