We are about to go away for Christmas to a much colder climate, and it suddenly became apparent to me that I did not have enough actually warm pants. Living in Perth Australia, the weather is pretty mild and winter doesn’t get freezing. That means my winter wardrobe mostly comprises linen pants, jumpsuits, wide leg jeans and skirts. None of which are snow appropriate. So i decided it was time to make a new pair of jeans that would be good for travelling and also have closer fit around my lower leg. After being paralysed with indecision and bemoaning my favourite jeans having a hole in the butt – i decided that remaking my favourite Ash jeans was the best course of action!
I am a fabric hoarder, so I actually still had enough the same denim from my favourite Ash jeans to basically make the exact same pair again. I love this denim, it’s originally from Potter & Co and I bought it I reckon 8 years ago. It has worn so well, and my original favourite jeans, though sporting a few holes requiring repairs, are still so comfortable.
Though I used the same denim again, for this pair I made some changes to details. The most obvious (to me at least) is that I chose a different topstitch and hardware colour. I just felt like something a bit different, and didn’t want my jeans to be too samesy. I had forgotten to add a leather patch to the first pair and always missed that detail, so i made sure to add a custom leather patch (my very last one!).
This time I also decided to go with a standard hemline. I cut the regular full length, and i’m really happy with it. Last time I made this pair of jeans i made a step hem, which was cool and fun, however I don’t think it’s the best choice for trudging through snow. Cold ankles are not what we are going for!
I’d say the one thing i’m not too thrilled about is the pocket bags. I have seen so many people finish the edges of their pockets with french seams, so i decided to give it a try – but it just makes the pocket bags so obvious through the legs that i’m really not loving it at all. I don’t think i’ll be doing this for Ash jeans agains, but might try it with Dawn jeans since the rigid denim is generally a thicker weight and it’s not as tight a fit.
The pocket bags are pretty cute on the inside, i used the last scraps of my Holly Sanders Sandhills fabric, and it’s a lovely surprise every time i see them!
Incase you are wondering, the top I’m wearing is Protea top that I made as a matching set with the skirt. I love wearing them together and separately, and it’s fun to get more use out of my capsule wardrobe that way.
If you’d like to see how my old jeans have worn compared to this new crisp Indigo denim I made a little youtube video walking you through how they have worn and lasted over the last 7 years. It’s amazing to me how much the denim has faded and marked!
It was oddly satisfying remaking my favourite jeans but just a little bit differently this time. As I post this we are on our way, and it’s so great to have a new pair of comfy travel pants that will see my through my 20 hours of flights.
