May GAM – A Jeanius Idea
Posted: May 6, 2014 Filed under: Craftsy, Garment a Month, Online learning | Tags: Craftsy, Garment a Month, Kenneth D King, Sewing Courses, Trousers 9 CommentsSorry for that title but I couldn’t help myself.
I was supposed to be stash diving and making up my mind what I wanted to make in May over this weekend but instead I spent most of it outside in my very neglected garden. All of my muscles are aching but the garden is looking infinitely better, and I even took all the rubbish to the tip today so I feel as if I have completed the task. Whoever called these long weekends ‘holidays’ was obviously having a laugh.
Anyhoo, the May GAM choice. I have several pairs of Max Mara trousers/jeans which are now looking a bit sad. They were all bought at deep discount whilst I worked for a ladies dress shop doing their alterations ‘in house’. I have been very reluctant to throw them away despite their decrepitude as they fit me so well – Max Mara clearly suit ladies with ill defined waists and small hips. So I am going to use this as an excuse to do the Kenneth D King ‘Jeanius’ Craftsy course that I have had lined up for ages . Honestly, it has been waiting patiently for so long it is embarrassing.
I have seen several reports where people have successfully used this course to reproduce their favourite jeans so I have fairly high hopes of getting a replacement for the shabbiest pair of Max Mara Weekend jeans. I still have to choose a fabric. I am hopping between the brown fabric I bought in Spain many years ago, which will give an almost identical garment to the one to be copied, or the yellow fabric I think will just be fun. Any suggestions?
The Material Lady 
Yellow would be nice for summer. But if I had yellow jeans I would probably spill something on them instantly!
Yes, I suffer from that affliction too. I can put a dirty mark on a garment within minutes of putting it on fresh. It is a real skill we seem to share!
I’ve got this course and found it fascinating. I haven’t actually used it to replicate any jeans but have used loads of the tips and ideas I picked up from it!! Perhaps if I ever do find any jeans that fit me I will use it but so far no luck with RTW. I’d go with the yellow for summer then you can refine any fitting tweaks for the brown for autumn……
How many people have courses waiting for time to watch them I wonder?
Good to hear that the tips are good. I have made a start watching and hope to report soon.
Do you fancy meeting for breakfast again sometime?
Just enjoy every aspect of the process…tweaking and more tweaking and discovering your body in fabric form. Going down a new path in sewing is just the most liberating experience whether it be taking a class so far from your area of expertise like wearable art or heirloom sewing, your brain will appreciate the diversion. So far i have bought 7 Craftsy classes hoping for just one darn day to sit and watch and make something. I have my fingers crossed for you to enjoy and learn something new!!! Yellow pants make butts look huge…the eye is drawn to that color and the object is magnified…maybe reconsider the yellow for a jacket instead? Good luck, Kim!
Again, I am glad I am not the only person with a queue of Craftsy courses waiting patiently!
I note your comment about huge yellow butts, but since my own is pretty flat and slim hipped it is one of the bits of me I don’t really worry about drawing attention to. Yellow may be in the lead at the moment.
Thanks for the good luck – I may need it 🙂
I’ve had great success with this class – in fact every pair of jeans I now wear were made using the same pattern. I now think my pattern needs updating it’s been used that often. You’ll love the class. And yellow! You had to ask??
Woot, woot Ruth. Another vote for yellow. 🙂
I am glad to hear of your success with the class, it is certainly good to watch so far – and I really want a good fitting replica of my Max Mara jeans.
I think you should do both! It’s just a question of which first as you may modify for the next pair. Once you get a good pattern from the old jeans, you’ll want to replace all those old ones you have and don’t want to discard. Maybe the yellow first – nice for summer.
Now I see why I have never bought Max Mara trousers or jeans – I’m distinctly pear shaped (no yellow jeans for me, alas! ); I do have a lovely jacket which has, however, seen better days – I need the equivalent jacket course. I’ll be interested in your experience of the class. I haven’t bought as I don’t have a well fitting pair of jeans.