Pattern Review: Jedediah Pants by Paper Theory

I may have found the perfect shorts pattern for my husband. Long time ago, I tried the Burda 6815 pattern. The feedback from the Burda pattern was that the pockets are not deep enough; or the angle of the pocket meant that his wallet and phone fall out when seated.

The Jedediah Pants are Chino-style trousers with a slim, casual fit, back yoke and slash front pockets. The pattern includes two length options - knee length shorts with rolled cuff and full length trousers.

This is the first time I made this pattern and I used a dark grey Cotton Drill from my stash. I bought a really nice (expensive) brown Japanese Cotton Drill when I was in the US two years ago and wanted to check fit first before cutting into my expensive fashion fabric.

The pattern is available in PDF and paper pattern version by Thread Theory. I used the PDF pattern. The pattern comes in sizes 30 to 40 (hip: 94 cm till 119 cm). I made a size 36 and the shorts. This pattern has 10 pattern pieces.

For this version, I didn't make any fit adjustment prior. However, I shortened the shorts at the end by about 5". Though, I tested the rolled up cuff version before finishing the hem, they still came up very long almost a capri length.

My husband normally buys a 32" trousers/pants in the shop. Comparing this with the long inseam, the pattern is more than 2" longer than store-bought trousers/pants.

The pattern is good but I find the instructions could be better. Sometimes, the graphics don't refer to the text and it can be a little confusing. Therefore, I would say the pattern is best suitable for an intermediate to advanced sewists. The graphics of the instructions are just too simple. I just spotted that they have a sew-along on their website with images - so that might be helpful to anyone that isn't as experienced yet. With that, it can be tackled by a confident intermediate sewist.

I am still not sure if the back pockets are too big or they just don't sit in the right place. The front pockets are massive! Any woman would be jealous - why do mens pants have such bigger pockets?

I have made their pajama pattern before too, and I am not a fan of the waistband construction. The waistband is finished with bias binding. While it looks pretty on the inside, I just wish there would be an option to finish it 'normal' as in folding the seam allowance under and stitching it down. That said, I do like that there are less layers to stitch through, the sewing machine does handle it better. Something to keep in mind ... it's a lovely make, lots of details that I hope are being appreciated. I used left over bias binding from my last Zadie Jumpsuit. Finishing the waistband with bias binding (and potentially the side seams - that's one option they mention), that's a lot of work, especially if it's for someone else.

This pair is a good wearable toile. With the next one, I shortened the back yoke by 1" and make a flat seat adjustment, probably by another 1". I removed about 1/2" from the centre of the back piece. The front looks good and I won't make any changes to the front.

This summer I have truly enjoyed making trousers and really loved sewing fly fronts. For some reason, I really struggled with the brown pair and the fly front. Although I don't remember having a hard time before but this time really struggled with the instructions - strange. Like I mentioned earlier, the instructions with illustrations are to understand and sometimes don't match with the corresponding text.

Speaking of fly fronts and zip, if you ever come across the brand called Riri for zippers - get some! They are the most gorgeous zippers I have ever used. The teeth close so smoothly, it's a dream for any maker!

The inside seams are mostly bias-bound and let me tell, I won't do that again. We tried the rolled-up hem again and neither of us where keen on it, so I will save myself the time and effort and just overlock.

I messed up the pockets a little. I was a bit stingy on the pocket fabric and wanted to use a scrap piece left from our classes. I shortened the pattern piece and forgot that it will change the depth of the pocket and therefore bits can fall out of the pocket easily.

With all that in mind, zipper trouble and pocket mess, the brown pair is my least favourite. So I went onto Minerva's website and let him choose 4 gorgeous Cotton Drill fabrics, two of them already arrived and the colours are so nice!

Below is a preview of the other garment I sewed for Mr ThreadWerk paired with his brown shorts.

Thanks for hanging out with me. Have you made this pattern before? Do you have any recommendation of other shorts patterns?

Happy Sewing!

Maria

#patternreview #jedediahpants #threadtheorydesigns