Home Blog Birkin Flares

Birkin Flares

by Pauline Alice
I’ve made jeans! Like real jeans! I’m very excited about that as buying jeans has always been so frustating for me. I own only 2 pairs of jeans, one skinny and one boyfriend (very loose!). The issue for me when buying jeans is the following: I’m short, only 1m55 (5 ft 1) so I always have to cut about 25 – 30 cm (10″ or 11″) to the hem, which change completely the shape of the jeans. Also I like high rise (mainly at the back) and most of the jeans available are really low rise – which makes it difficult to bent without showing my underwear – or worse…
And finally, I’m not fan of the skinny shape. And this is the only shape I find at the stores.

 

So when I saw the Birkin Flares by Baste & Gather, I was delighted and so excited to make them.About the pattern: It’s great! It has all the details of a store bought jeans, with a nice fit (more on that later) and the instructions are really good and easy to follow.
So the fit… It would be great if I had chosen the right size for me. Next time I’ll go up a size. I don’t think they run small, I think I made a mistake when choosing the size. The legs are a bit too tight for me (you can see the crotch lines) but I could wear them like that. The problem is with the waistband. I can wear the jeans only when standing up 😉 If i sit or bend down a little bit, the waistband cuts into my stomach.
I’ll call them my practice jeans!

 

The denim I used is really nice, it has 2% elasthan which makes it really comfortable. I bought it online at the Sweet Mercerie. As I didn’t find any rivets locally, I didn’t add them. That would be a nice detail but I don’t really feel like paying the extra cost of shipping them here.I hope to show you the second version very soon…

signature1_editado-1

You may also like

32 comments

Sasha 4 February, 2016 - 2:56 pm

These look fab Pauline … in fact they are on my sewing list for this summer : i like the flared jeans with flat sandals look 😉

Reply
Pauline Alice 4 February, 2016 - 3:39 pm

Thanks Sasha. I love your Ginger jeans, especially the leatherette ones, I have the pattern and even if the skinny shape is not my favorite, I've been reading so much praise about them I might sew them afterall.

Reply
Tachalili 4 February, 2016 - 2:57 pm

Comme toi j'aime les tailles hautes et surtout j'ai beaucoup de mal avec les skinny et les slims. Tu me confortes donc dans mon idée. J'ai le patron, il faut que je l'assemble et que je fasse une toile histoire de voir si ça passe bien. En tout cas il te va vraiment très très bien!

Reply
Pauline Alice 4 February, 2016 - 3:41 pm

Merci! Je te recommande vivement le patron (et surtout la toile! J'aurais du en faire une aussi…)

Reply
Alythia 4 February, 2016 - 3:02 pm

They are gorgeous. I love skinny jeans and they have become my go to style but you've just made me really miss some of my old jean styles,those are absolutely glorious. I might give them a go in time for the spring 🙂

Reply
Pauline Alice 4 February, 2016 - 3:41 pm

You should try them Alythia, I'm sure you'll love them!

Reply
Pam 4 February, 2016 - 3:19 pm

I actually love the fit in the pictures — You could put a new waistband on them too. But, GREAT JOB! I love making jeans. Just think of them like a wearable muslin.

Reply
Pauline Alice 4 February, 2016 - 3:43 pm

Hi Pam, thanks. The fit on the legs and hips is not bad – even if too tight for my taste – but the waistband is quite unconfortable. Bt it's ok, it's a good excuse to make another pair 😉

Reply
TheTellTaleTasha 4 February, 2016 - 3:37 pm

The fabric looks amazing! and they look really good on you!
These can be your, "I'll be standing all day" jeans lol

Reply
Pauline Alice 4 February, 2016 - 3:43 pm

Thanks Tasha. I agree, these will be my "standing only" jeans.

Reply
Laura Jane Handmade 4 February, 2016 - 4:15 pm

Love these! I usually go for skinny jeans but I keep seeing the birkin flares around and it's making me want some flared jeans ready for spring! The fit looks good in your photos! I had a a similar issue with my ginger jeans though where they were a little uncomfy to sit. Great excuse to make another pair though 🙂

Reply
Pauline Alice 5 February, 2016 - 7:54 am

Thanks Laura! I want to try the Ginger jeans as well even if I'm not super fan of skinny jeans. I've read so many amazing reviews and I already have the pattern.

Reply
Sophie 4 February, 2016 - 4:30 pm

Fait attention car un jean de détend énormément au porté! Quand tu l enfile c'est normal d'avoir du mal à la fermé et de se sentir serrée

Reply
Pauline Alice 5 February, 2016 - 7:56 am

Merci Sophie. Je l'ai porté 2 jours et il reste un peu trop serré à mon gout, j'ai peur qu'il ne se détende pas plus 😉

Reply
cidell 4 February, 2016 - 8:17 pm

I think the fit looks really good. They are snug but you can wear them and look awesome.

Reply
Pauline Alice 5 February, 2016 - 7:57 am

Thanks Cidell. Yes the legs and butt fit is good but the waistband really cuts into my stomach 😉

Reply
Julia Trendedero 4 February, 2016 - 8:20 pm

Son chulisimos! madre mia! y que bien te quedan!
besos,

Reply
Pauline Alice 5 February, 2016 - 7:57 am

Muchas gracias Julia!

Reply
Rebecca Burnett 4 February, 2016 - 9:46 pm

These look fantastic! I started making my own jeans for the same reason, not a fan of skinny and low rise in my jeans. Love the silhouette!

Reply
Pauline Alice 5 February, 2016 - 7:58 am

Thanks Rebecca!

Reply
SanPini 4 February, 2016 - 9:46 pm

Te quedan de cine, me encanta ese patrón.

Reply
Pauline Alice 5 February, 2016 - 7:58 am

¡Muchísimas gracias!

Reply
sewingrosalie 4 February, 2016 - 9:50 pm

Superbe!! Et j'adore ta veste! Un hack du manteau quart?

Reply
Pauline Alice 5 February, 2016 - 8:03 am

Et oui, il s'agit de la version biker du manteau Quart. Tu peux retrouver un tuto pour la faire ici: https://www.paulinealice.com/2015/02/quart-coat-pattern-variation-transform.html

Reply
mags 5 February, 2016 - 7:25 am

They do look fabulous. My first pair look great stood up too but too tight to sit down. Glad I'm not the only one

Reply
Pauline Alice 5 February, 2016 - 8:04 am

Yours too Mag? I'm not used to work with negative ease patterns so I chose the wrong measurements, I'll be sure to double check next time.

Reply
Lynne 6 February, 2016 - 11:28 am

These are brilliant! I've seen a few lovely pairs of Birmingham jeans now, so must have a look at the pattern.

Reply
doudi750 10 February, 2016 - 8:46 am

Waou !!!!! Il est magnifique !
Le Jean c'est un peu mon everest….
Fan je suis….je vais regarder le site du patron de ce pas

Reply
Lauren 21 March, 2016 - 11:58 pm

These look so great on you! Too bad they are a little tight. Like you said, practice jeans. 🙂

Reply
grosbecots 31 March, 2016 - 10:06 am

Je suis en train de me coudre ce jean aussi, ta réalisation est top ! Si celui-ci est un peu petit, j'ai ha^te de voir la version 2.0 alors !! Et j'ai acheté du fil un peu plus épais pour les surpiqures mais le rendu n'est pas top, ce n'est peut-être pas assez épais encore.. Où as-tu acheté le tien ? Bécots et hâte de découvrir les nouveaux patrons !! (une Turia en jeans est sous ma MAC en ce moment !!)

Reply
Lisa 25 September, 2017 - 6:55 pm

Those look like a great jean pattern. So just curious – you said you thought you made the wrong size? Did you round down on your measurements or fit to hips? I’d like to know what your assumptions were on the fit so I don’t make the same ones and end up with standing only jeans. 🙂

Reply
Pauline Alice 26 September, 2017 - 4:11 pm

Hi Lisa, if I remember correctly, I was between two sizes in the chart and chose the smaller one thinking the stretch denim would make it ok. But the denim didn’t have as much give as I thought. I think I also chose the size based on my waist measurements, not thinking that even if it’s a high rise, the waistband hits juste below my natural waistline, so the measurements were not the same.
I eventually made a second pair with one size up and the right fabric and they fit perfectly (standing and sitting!).
This is a really great pattern, I highly recommend it.

Reply

Leave a Comment