It's in My Jeans
A Fit & Finish Jeans Workshop with Caroline Cook
Caroline Cook focusing on the importance of a good fit
You can make a pair of fabulous and well-fitting jeans at a 3-1/2 day workshop in beautiful Rockbridge County, Virginia under the guidance of Caroline “Pin Pushion” Cook. If you’ve been intimidated by the thought of making jeans, or if you’ve made jeans but want to dial in the fit, or if you want to try something new, this is the class for you.
Classes will be held in a bright and spacious solar-powered sewing workshop on the Maury River. In addition to 3-1/2 full days of instruction, your fee includes 3 lunches, 1 dinner, plus snacks and drinks. You will receive a thank-you gift bag and first dibs on a Make It Sew denim boutique pop-up shop.
Classes happen in this bright workshop space
The workshop will begin with careful measurement-taking and making a mockup of your selected jeans pattern. You’ll learn to recognize fit issues and how to correct them. We all have different bodies and will learn from observing other students fitting their jeans, too. You will learn about pattern manipulation and style details to make your jeans uniquely you.
By the final day, you’ll put a professional finish on your jeans with the zipper fly, belt loops, and top stitching.
In this workshop you will make jeans from your chosen pattern. Caroline and Accacia have worked with a number of patterns that you’ve heard of and we can make recommendations, but your chosen pattern must have these jeans details:
Back yoke
Front pockets
Fly closure (button or zipper)
Topstitching
We are putting a strong focus on the fit process in this workshop. You’ll go home with a better understanding of how to make jeans that fit you how you want them to fit, and you may never buy jeans again. The fitting skills you practice will transfer to other garment making, too.
What do you need to bring with you?
A pattern. There are some that we recommend (see below) but you aren’t restricted to this list. If you are considering a pattern not included here, we’d like to review it first so we can give the best assistance.
Sewing machine and your general sewing kit.
Materials. Fabric for your jeans plus a mockup—it’s not a bad idea to do your mockup in the same fabric as your intended jeans. Necessary pocket bag and lining fabrics. Optional interfacing. Thread, zipper, button, optional rivets.
A detailed list will be provided once you sign up. Most supplies will be available for loan or sale but you probably have favorites. If you are traveling and unable to bring your sewing machine, we have loaners.
Here are some jeans patterns that we recommend:
Merchant & Mills Heroine
Daughter Judy Worship jeans
Anna Allen Helene jeans
Megan Nielsen Dawn
Closet Core Ginger
Your supply list will include our current recommendations for patterns that use both stretch- and non-stretch denim. Ask if you have questions or if there’s another pattern that you want to use.
Lunch and refreshments will be served at the workshop. We will have a group dinner on day 1.
Day 2 will be an optional late work day with a hand embroidery lesson.
Workshop fee is $900. Your spot is reserved with a $400 deposit. You’ll receive an invoice for the $500 balance, due by July 28.
Lodging is not included in this workshops. There are hotels about 20 minutes away and a variety of short-term lodging options in the area.
Class will be held with a minimum of five students and the maximum is 10.
If we need to cancel this class, you will receive a full refund. You may withdraw by July 19 and receive a refund for the amount you've paid less 4% professing fee. Withdrawing after July 19 will result in forfeiting the amount you've paid unless another student takes your place. Please be sure you are up to date with Covid vaccines.
Questions? Send us an email!
