Your thoughts on jeans

[Lanolin]

Have you worn them before?

sure they are simply wraps by any name ... the simplest clothing is the most comfortable

sarong
pareu
toga
sari

 

[TheNarrowPath]

I like them cause I look good in them. They are the most durable fabric in my closet. I only throw them out when the seams start bursting lol

 

[Lanolin]

Teachers seem to like wearing denim jackets. It was school photo day the other week and most of them were wearing black and denim jackets
While I forgot and wore pink corduroys and a grey jumper totally not looking like any of the teachers. I dont have many black clothes. I guess I stand out rather fade into the background. But then my hair is black so why wear even more blacks clothes Im not really into the witch going to a funeral look.

 

[TheNarrowPath]

Teachers seem to like wearing denim jackets. It was school photo day the other week and most of them were wearing black and denim jackets
While I forgot and wore pink corduroys and a grey jumper totally not looking like any of the teachers. I dont have many black clothes. I guess I stand out rather fade into the background. But then my hair is black so why wear even more blacks clothes Im not really into the witch going to a funeral look.

Teachers uniform is so boring. If I could afford Id wear vintage most of the week and on Fridays Id dress up as a book or movie character that the kids get a prize if they guess who I am. I get that you have to look professional, and jeans are practical. I just think school staff sometimes look so drab. Whereas lawyers usually look like something out of a legal drama series.

 

[Lanolin]

its not even a uniform, they choose to wear boring clothes lol

 

[Lanolin]

I want everyone to wear Where's Wally clothes on Wheres Wally Day (yet to be decided)

 

[NestForASparrow]

I used to dislike them as a young child, but only wear them now when going out. In fact, I wear them 95% of the time when I home as well. Only wear shorts when I either have no clean jeans or it's too hot

 

[Lanolin]

You could just cut your jeans short. Or rip holes in them to make air vents.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

I decided to make my next pair.
It's easier just to buy them, but I want something special. I already have the fabric and specialty thread. The fabric is my favorite custom camo. It's made from the best American Mill of ripstop NYCO, 50\50% Nylon/Cotton milspec.
The thread is the strongest that can feed through my machine and exceeds any commercial made pants I've seen.
My favorite pair of jeans are worn out now and ready to be used for the pattern.

These should be tough enough for any job, Thorny brush pants, roofing, gardening, mixing concrete, and be comfortable. After that, I might be able to find some fabric used in chain saw chaps to sew into another pair or attach with a secure method.

 

[Lanolin]

I decided to make my next pair.
It's easier just to buy them, but I want something special. I already have the fabric and specialty thread. The fabric is my favorite custom camo. It's made from the best American Mill of ripstop NYCO, 50\50% Nylon/Cotton milspec.
The thread is the strongest that can feed through my machine and exceeds any commercial made pants I've seen.
My favorite pair of jeans are worn out now and ready to be used for the pattern.

These should be tough enough for any job, Thorny brush pants, roofing, gardening, mixing concrete, and be comfortable. After that, I might be able to find some fabric used in chain saw chaps to sew into another pair or attach with a secure method.

do you have an industrial sewing machine? cos a regular machine wont cut through denim.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

do you have an industrial sewing machine? cos a regular machine wont cut through denim.

So far I've used a vintage Japanese made Kenmore 15251 on 4 layers with no problems, but it's a learning process with this fabric and machine.
When I hemmed half a dozen pairs of pants, I lubed the needle and ran it fast to keep the needle from jamming at the heavy seams. Most of those were slacks and lighter cotton, but am going to have to test the camo to see how many layers the machine can handle.
I have a vintage Sears Kenmore 1315 steel homeowners model with an external motor that I.am hoping will handle the heavier projects.

 

[Lanolin]

I havent been to a fabric store in ages but dont recall ever seeing rolls of denim on sale there...hundreds of bolts of gorgeous fabrics in all colours but denim isnt exactly a fabric that drapes well.

In all the sewing pattern books I dont come across patterns for jeans. I would think they were quite complicated to make. I dont know if you need to overlock denim but I would think you need to double stitch and also put those rivets in?!

 

[Iwascaduceus]

I like jeans alright but then I also have very little fashion sense

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

do you have an industrial sewing machine? cos a regular machine wont cut through denim.

I'm going to bed soon and remembered what you said. I had an old pair of standard weight denim jeans to test the machine on. I just ran a straight stich 10/inch through the bottom of the hem a few times. Where the seams meet, it looks like 6 layers of compressed fabric. I was gladly surprised that it didn't have any problems. I back stitched and also tried it by hand with the hand wheel. The only time it jammed was when I stopped it with the needle fully buried, then tried to start from there. That was the 152 series model. It runs like a 12 hp lawnmower. I'm pretty happy that I should be able to make my own clothes. Next test will be heavy 500D Cordura coated Nylon for gear!

 

[Lanolin]

well good luck maybe post a pic of your completed jeans when you finished, hope your machine holds up!

The only thing with sewing machines is they noisy just like vaccuum cleaners and lawnmowers and mix masters...and air con units. And traffic. Arrgh the noise of the modern age.

 

[NestForASparrow]

I used to hate wearing jeans when I was a child, but almost always wear them now and will only wear shorts around home or family (and only during heat waves or when I have no clean jeans left).

But I think my initial hatred of jeans was not finding out about Levi jeans at a younger age....unless I want to get into those super skinny designer jeans, I just stick with Levi

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

well good luck maybe post a pic of your completed jeans when you finished, hope your machine holds up!

The only thing with sewing machines is they noisy just like vaccuum cleaners and lawnmowers and mix masters...and air con units. And traffic. Arrgh the noise of the modern age.

I'm going to take off all the case this weekend and give it a thorough oiling.
I repaired my ex gf's Bernina when it would break parts, so this Kenmore should quiet it and help it get a little bit of smooth power. She mainly made wedding dresses though so that was low stress. The ounce of prevention should help. When they get noisy or start clicking, it's a sign of dry parts.

 

[TheNarrowPath]

I'm going to take off all the case this weekend and give it a thorough oiling.
I repaired my ex gf's Bernina when it would break parts, so this Kenmore should quiet it and help it get a little bit of smooth power. She mainly made wedding dresses though so that was low stress. The ounce of prevention should help. When they get noisy or start clicking, it's a sign of dry parts.

can you come over and repair my machine. its gathering dust. so basically it turns on but then when i put my foot on the pedal, the thread keeps tangling in the spool holder thingy.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

can you come over and repair my machine. its gathering dust. so basically it turns on but then when i put my foot on the pedal, the thread keeps tangling in the spool holder thingy.

That's frustrating isn't it?
With the Bernina pro model, I had to talk a distributer into selling me a service manual available only to them and then buy/ replace parts. Thankfully, most problems aren't that complicated from the little I've studied from the pros.
I'm not a sewing machine service man, but found that most of the issues like that cleared up when I did the following.

1. Replaced the thread with the highest quality you have. I had the same problem recently when I tried some old thread I used for hand sewing. Replaced thread and problem solved. Next is another low cost possibility.

2. Replace the needle with a new one.
Sometimes it's just a dull needle, even if it feels sharp. Just make sure to get the proper one for the fabric and thread.

3. Tension needs adjusted. Top tension or bobbin case tension. It takes time, but trial and error is the only thing that can get it right....and YouTube videos. Some are factory set and others simply need a quarter turn with a small screw driver.

If you have an owners manual, I would start there. Most fixes that come up can be traced back to basics in the manual. There's other possibilities, but start with these.

One more thing you should do is when you have the lower parts out, shuttle, bobbin, case, feel for any rough places and sharp places that might snag the thread. If you ever had a needle strike a part, it might do that.

I hope you can easily get it running like new.

 

[TheNarrowPath]

That's frustrating isn't it?
With the Bernina pro model, I had to talk a distributer into selling me a service manual available only to them and then buy/ replace parts. Thankfully, most problems aren't that complicated from the little I've studied from the pros.
I'm not a sewing machine service man, but found that most of the issues like that cleared up when I did the following.

1. Replaced the thread with the highest quality you have. I had the same problem recently when I tried some old thread I used for hand sewing. Replaced thread and problem solved. Next is another low cost possibility.

2. Replace the needle with a new one.
Sometimes it's just a dull needle, even if it feels sharp. Just make sure to get the proper one for the fabric and thread.

3. Tension needs adjusted. Top tension or bobbin case tension. It takes time, but trial and error is the only thing that can get it right....and YouTube videos. Some are factory set and others simply need a quarter turn with a small screw driver.

If you have an owners manual, I would start there. Most fixes that come up can be traced back to basics in the manual. There's other possibilities, but start with these.

One more thing you should do is when you have the lower parts out, shuttle, bobbin, case, feel for any rough places and sharp places that might snag the thread. If you ever had a needle strike a part, it might do that.

I hope you can easily get it running like new.

thanks Ive looked at the manual and havent gotten anywhere with it so i might just have to take your advice my machine is an Elna. I have an Elna overlocker too and hate that it hasnt gotten any use this year. appreciate your suggestions H&H!