Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Jeans Waistband - My Upsidedown Method!

I just wanted to share how I constructed the waistband on my recent Ginger jeans.  It is probably a standard method - but I like to think that it is something that I dreamed up myself and that it is a totally new!  In any case - here is what I did!

The outer waistband piece (which I have interfaced here) is attached in the usual manner, right sides together along the waist.  Incidentally, one of things that I learned during one of my sewing classes is that you should fit your waistband to your body - then attach it to your trousers, stretching it if needed.  I find that this works especially well with the jeans and gives a nice snug fit.  It probably does not make too much difference to those of you who have lovely hour-glass or pear shaped bodies, but for those of us that are cylinders, a bit of cinching in at the waist works wonders and stops my jeans falling down!


As you have probably noticed with these jeans,  I did not add a fly shield, so I need to extend the waist band a little to attach the button.

Next up, sew the facing of the waistband along the same sewing line where you attached the outer waistband.

Square off the edges, and trim/grade the seams if required.   I run my serger along the waist seam.  It tidies it up and leaves a nice even seam allowance.


The next job is to press the waistband (outer and facing) up.  Now look at that lovely tidy seam you have where your waistband attaches to your jeans!


Now you need to get your 'ironing-on'!  I marked the top edge of the outer waistband with 1/2" chalk line and pressed it down.  The facing is then pressed down to match - the top two edges need to match exactly but you can maneuver the facing as you sew along.


On the photo below you can see that the pressing looks mismatched where I moved the jeans for the photos, but you get the idea.


Look how flat and level it all looks!


All you need to do now is your edge and top stitching.  I do this from the right side and for these jeans I edge-stitched with a contrast thread about 2mm from the edge - this closes up the top waistband edge.  I then edge-stitched with matching thread using my 1/4" foot.  Below you can see how tidy this looks from the inside as well.


Add the button and buttonhole and you are good to go!



How about you - what tricks do you have to make your garments look better than the rest?!

5 comments :

  1. nice job! I have no tricks as I've yet to brave a pair of jeans or pants lol!

    Helen

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  2. Never made jeans [I am chicken,ha], But, I love, love your waistband idea.. I have made dress pants before... and the next time I do them with a waistband, I will use this idea..Great... Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Fabulous sewing there and I LOVE your striped denim.

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  4. Great tutorial thank you. Really does give a neater finish....I will try it!

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  5. Great idea - will try at next opportunity. Thanks

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