The complete vintage jean pattern set
I’m so excited to tell you all about the Dawn jeans pattern set!! This pattern is the result of my fruitless hunt for the perfect pair of vintage rigid jeans. I actually started working on the Dawn jeans almost two years ago, before I began working on the Ash stretch jeans pattern. It all began because I really wanted to find those perfect vintage Levi’s that I feel like I see on every fashion blogger. Do you know the ones I’m talking about? A classic high waisted mom jean with a tapered leg. I began to realise (as per usual) that given my pear shape it was going to be near impossible to find a pair that fit perfectly without alteration and that sewing my own pair would be the answer.
I think we can agree that sewing is always the answer! Or rather that I can turn any situation into a mandate to sew something hehe.
We began drafting and sampling and right from the beginning I was in love! After realising how much I adored these jeans I knew I had to include as many vintage-inspired cuts as possible. The tapered leg jean became View A, and I then added straight leg jeans (View B), a wide leg jean (View C) and denim shorts (View D) – and before I knew it I had created an entire vintage jean pattern set! Ever rigid jean you could ever want in one pattern!
All the details
I included all those important vintage denim details like a high waist, tapered leg, button fly, exaggerated yoke and deep pockets – but with modern updates such as a curved waistband.
Dawn is designed with a classic button fly for that truly authentic denim experience – but can also be made with a zipper fly or exposed button fly. And because I love giving you lots of options we are also including complimentary zipper fly and exposed button fly bonus instructions with all pattern purchases. See you can have everything ;)
Though I have to tell you – a button fly is my absolute favourite fly finish! It is honestly so easy it’s not even funny. If you can sew a zipper fly you will find this to be such a breeze. Like a holiday. Similarly, if you are intimidated by zipper fly’s then I think you will really enjoy how straightforward and satisfying a button fly is.
I’ve been careful to include different inseam length options – so there are included hemlines for regular cropped, regular full length, tall cropped and tall full length.
With so many options this pattern set is absolutely packed with value! No need to hunt around buying multiple rigid jeans patterns to get your tapered mom jean, wide-leg pant or straight leg jean – it’s all here in this set. Yippee!
One of my favourite things about these rigid jeans is that you can go all out with the classic jean details and recreated your dream vintage jeans but you can also use a different non-denim bottom weight fabric and just create an amazing pair of pants!
View A Tapered Leg
For our samples, I tried to show a couple of different ideas for how you can use this pattern. For the View A tapered jeans I created my dream vintage mom jean! It’s made from a light-toned enzyme wash denim from Fabulous Fabrics in Perth and includes copper rivets and buttons as well as copper-toned topstitching. This pair includes a classic button fly and is topped off with a leather patch. It is cut in the regular full length and has been shown cuffed and uncuffed in our photos (though cuffed is my favourite!).
View B Straight Leg
I wanted to create something a little bit different and fun for the straight leg View B. For this pair, I noticed that the gorgeous rigid denim I purchased from Potter & Co frayed beautiful when it was prewashed so I decided to use that gorgeous frayed edge for the hem! For the closure, I included an exposed button fly for another special detail. This pair is finished off with a brass jeans button fly kit and coordinating topstitch thread and I love how all of these colours pair so well with the dark wash denim. This pair was made in the regular cropped length and I think it’s a perfect marriage with that frayed hemline.
View C Wide Leg
When it came to the View C wide-leg jean I really wanted to show how this pattern works with non-denim bottom-weight fabrics. I chose gorgeous stonewashed pink linen from Fabulous Fabrics and used a matching regular weight thread to topstitch and sew all the details. I love how subtle and beautiful this pair turned out! (Keesh did not want to take them off after our photoshoot hehe). Using a matching regular weight thread resulted in a different look and makes a gorgeous pair of wide-leg pants. Instead of finishing off with rivets, I added bartacks to the top edge of all of the pocket openings to strengthen them and I’m really happy with this choice. This pair is sewn with the tall cropped length which is my personal preference for a wide leg pants. I think it looks most flattering just above the ankle.
View D Shorts
And lastly, for our View D denim shorts, I wanted to do something a little bit fun with my topstitching! I used very light wash denim from Fabulous Fabrics and used a rose pink topstitch thread. I have been dying to use a fun topstitch colour and I’m so happy with how the pink turned out! It is such a fun detail that I’m hoping to repeat in the future with other colours. For this pair, I finished off the jeans with a nickel button fly and rivets and am really happy with how all of these details are working together.
Kits & leather patches!
If you are looking for the perfect jeans notions, we have created a limited run of button-fly jeans notions kits that include everything you need to create a beautiful pair of authentic button fly jeans – even down to the gorgeous leather patch! They come in three colours: copper, brass and nickel and are the exact notions that we used in our samples. If you would like to get a leather patch on its own those are also available in-store here. For our leather patches, these have been updated with a new design, and I love being reminded that “I made these” every time I put my jeans on! These patches are cut from veggie tanned leather which ages beautifully and changes in colour and texture over time. I am in love with them! All Aussie orders of kits and leather patches (which ship from our Perth office) will include Aussie leather patches stamped in Perth and all orders to the USA and other countries (which ship from our US warehouse) will include American leather patches stamped in the USA.
All the sizes!
Dawn is available in my entire extended size range which is something I am super duper thrilled about. Sizes 0-20 are available in printed and PDF format and Curve size 14-30 are available in PDF format.
How do they fit?
Since these jeans are classic vintage-inspired rigid jeans you can expect them to fit in a very classic way. They are a close fit through the hip, with more ease in the waist (which helps when sitting down!). Like all new jeans, your handmade jeans may feel a little close to begin with, and will loosen up through wear as you break them in. These are not intended to fit like boyfriend jeans and won’t be loose and baggy. For the View A tapered leg we have created a nice tapered ankle that is still able to be rolled up and cuffed if you desire but isn’t so small that it’s hard to get your foot through (which is a detail I didn’t love about a lot of vintage jeans I tried). View B straight leg has more room in the thigh which extends down to the hem. The wide-leg of View C begins at the hip and is almost straight down to the hem which creates a wonderful silhouette. All Views have the same fit in the waist and hip which means that once you have made a muslin and fit one pair you should be good to go!
Of course there will be tutorials!
You know how much I love providing extra value for you – so there will absolutely be some accompanying tutorials here on the blog to help you make your jeans. These will begin towards the end of November and we’ll show you how to sew that button fly as well as an exposed button fly and lots of other fun details.
I also can’t wait to show you all the pairs I have made for myself! So excited!
This pattern has been so much work, but I’m so happy with how it turned out and I hope you love it as much as I enjoyed working on it for you!
If you have any questions at all please let me know in the comments below or send us an email at hello@megannielsen.com.We’d love to see what you make with the new Dawn jeans pattern! Don’t forget to tag your creations #MNdawn and @megannielsenpatterns to share what you’ve been working on, and check out what everyone else is up to!
Want to take a look at the pattern?
