Okay, here’s my blog post about making high waist barrel jeans, written in a casual, personal style:
So, I’ve been seeing these high-waisted, barrel-leg jeans everywhere lately, and I was like, “I gotta try that.” But, you know, sometimes the fit on store-bought stuff just ain’t it. So I decided to make my own!
First, I went hunting for a pattern. I found a few online, but none of them were exactly what I wanted. They were either too baggy, not high-waisted enough, or just…off. So, I decided I need modify it until I satified. I already had a pair of straight-leg jeans that I liked the fit of through the hips, so I used those as a starting point.
The Alteration Process
I grabbed some tracing paper and traced the pattern pieces of my existing jeans. Then, the real fun began! I needed to add some serious height to the waist. I measured how high I wanted them to sit (like, really high – almost to my ribcage!) and extended the front and back pieces accordingly. Remember to add extra to the side seams too, to account for the curve of your body!
- Adding the Barrel Shape: This was the tricky part. I wanted that nice, rounded shape without going full-on clown pants. I gradually widened the leg pieces from the hip down, curving outwards and then tapering back in slightly towards the ankle. I kept holding the pattern pieces up to myself in the mirror to check the shape – lots of trial and error here!
- The Waistband: Since I added so much height, I needed a wider waistband. I drafted a new one, making sure it matched the new circumference of the top of the jeans.
Sewing It Up
I chose a nice, sturdy denim – not too heavy, but with a good drape. I cut out all my pieces, making absolutely sure to match up the notches (so important!). Then, I started sewing. I used a strong thread and a denim needle on my machine, because, denim.
Honestly, the sewing itself wasn’t too bad. The hardest part was easing in the extra fullness of the barrel legs. I did a lot of pinning and basting to make sure everything lined up properly. And I went slow! No need to rush and mess things up.
The waistband I attached the waistband, and added belt loops. Added a button and buttonhole. Boom!
The Result
I’m pretty stoked with how they turned out! They’re super comfy, and they have that cool, relaxed vibe I was going for. I’ve worn them with tucked-in tees, cropped sweaters – they’re surprisingly versatile.
It’s amazing feeling when wearing the jean I made. Give it a try!
