Dear Jalie:
My story is a tragic one. You see, I was born with a condition with which I have struggled my whole life. There is nothing I can take to ease it, and no procedure I can undergo to cure it. Doctors have looked me over and shaken their heads sadly before delivering their invariably depressing verdict on my condition:
“There’s nothing anyone can do about it. It’s Genetics.”
Genetics affects different people in different ways. Some people even claim that Genetics makes them beautiful and intelligent. All I know is that for me, Genetics has manifested itself in a way that makes me extremely, distressingly, almost comically small. The truth is, I can’t even imagine what my life would be like if I weren’t suffering from Genetics. I’ve lived with Genetics for over three decades now, from the physical discomfort of shoes that slip off of my pygmy feet, to the social discomfort of being looked down at during conversations with tall colleagues, to the simple inconvenience of not being able to make use of the top shelves of my kitchen cabinets. And worst of all, I’ve lived with the struggles of finding a pair of jeans with an even halfway decent fit. I have grown weary of being snickered at in the cafeteria and having to stand up from my seat at the uncool kids’ table, hold back tears, tug up my shapeless Levi’s, and proclaim, “It’s not my fault. It’s my Genetics.”
But recently, you’ve given me a light at the end of my tunnel of suffering. Since I discovered your Jalie 2908 jeans pattern, I feel like a new woman! No more crying in the fitting room with a dozen pairs of ill-fitting denim balled up in sad wads on the floor. No more rolling up the hems some 6 or 7 inches only to find that the knee is halfway down my calf. No more swimming in the thighs of overpriced jeans only to find that I can’t button them closed at the waist. No more trying to squeeze a grown-up backside into a pair of size 12 kids’ jeans. Thanks to you, I have jeans, wonderfully fitting, slimming, flattering, jeans that even I can wear, despite my Genetics!
And thank you as well for constructing a pattern and instruction set that make a seemingly impossible task as simple and straightforward as assembling an Ikea shelf. Thank you for creating a construction process that largely eschews tedious steps like transferring markings, hand finishing, or extensive basting. And most of all, thank you for a cut and fit that have now yielded two well-loved pairs of jeans about which no one has ever asked me, “Did you make those yourself?”
Thank you, Jalie, for everything you’ve done to help a long-suffering woman lead a happier life and come to terms with a condition that has plagued her for as long as she can remember. Though I know that I will live the rest of my life with my Genetics, with your help I’m not going to let it keep me down ever again! Well, at least not in the denim department.
Yours in Gratitude,
The Selfish Seamstress
P.S. I’m pretty sure they make my legs look longer too. RAD.
P.P.S. In case you were curious, the sweater is from a pattern in issue 33 of Rebecca, knit in Debbie Bliss ‘Cathay,’ my favorite yarn, now sadly discontinued.
50 comments
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March 10, 2010 at 7:31 am
Karen
I’m so glad that you have been able to construct some jeans that help overcome your “genetics.” My daughter at 5’1″ suffers from this same challenge even though I am 5’7.” Her friends call her “fun size.”
How do you feel about constructing another pair? Perhaps in a different color…say black with matching instead of contrasting top thread. Skinny legs instead of flare? If so, feel free to make two and I’ll send one on to her. Oh wait, this would violate your selfish policy!
March 10, 2010 at 7:38 am
Erica B.
Your jeans look great! I too am a genetics sufferer… sigh. Mine is on the other end of the spectrum.
March 10, 2010 at 7:40 am
Amanda S.
AWESOME! They fit perfectly and look like high-end RTW.I am going to have to get this pattern. Everyone seems to have such luck with it. I like the sweater, too.
March 10, 2010 at 8:03 am
Beangirl
So… if I make a pair of these magical jeans, will they help me overcome MY struggles with Genetics? And make me look like a teeny tiny fab fashion model? You know, instead of what my Genetics make me look like now, which is more along the lines of… super genetically engineered potato?
What? It could happen, right? What do you mean, I’d have to be able to also sew all that miles of top stitching and stuff? Jeez. What kind of magical jeans are these, anyway?
March 10, 2010 at 2:59 pm
selfishseamstress
I could not begin to tell you how it is that these jeans are practically the right length out of the box even though my inseam is like 24″. Seriously, that’s not an exaggeration. The topstitching is easier than I thought it would be on account of denim being a pretty well behaved fabric. I don’t know- given that just about any pair of these that I’ve seen sewn up looks great, I’m going to guess that there are forces at work here that are greater than you and I.
March 10, 2010 at 8:04 am
Meredith P
What’s that I hear? Angels singing?
But seriously, arent’ you glad you sew? Everyone has a genetical problem that can be eased by being able to sew. Mine has to do with a large “pelvic” area.
Yes, I could rest my chin on the top of your head, but then, my SIL could do the same to me :-)
March 10, 2010 at 8:09 am
lin3arossa
You can sew, you can write, you can speak like 3 languages (or more?) and you can knit too? Boy do I hate you.
March 10, 2010 at 3:01 pm
selfishseamstress
To be fair, I’m not much of a knitter. Ever since I discovered that I could *sew* a top in a day and a half versus *knitting* a top in like…. 2 months (with plenty of wrist pain), my knitting needles have gotten pretty dusty :)
And sadly I am only really fluent in one language. Unless we’re talking about restaurant speak. I can order food fluently in LOTS of countries. We all have our priorities.
March 10, 2010 at 8:12 am
Amy
Here, Here! I suffer from Genetics too! Jeans are such a problem. I have been so overjoyed for you since your first pair of Jalie’s. I am glad you have written this letter because its not our fault we’re small!
March 10, 2010 at 8:13 am
Juno
At 6’3″ I have the exact same problem going the other way – working on upping my sewing skills for the same reason. I’m going to start blaming my genetics.
Where do you find the copper rivets you use?
March 10, 2010 at 3:03 pm
selfishseamstress
Oh my. On one hand, I would love to be a tall, statuesque goddess rather than a kewpie doll, but on the other hand, I can only imagine that shopping must be 10x more frustrating for you than for me. Things may not fit me well, but at least I can hem them to approximate the right length. 6’3″…
Rivets are on ebay! Search on “jeans rivets.”
March 10, 2010 at 8:21 am
sueanfang
Aha, you see instead of a sewing blog you have started a self help group for the genetically challenged. At the other end of the spectrum, I have a 36″ inseam and huge clown sized feet. (yeah I know, I won’t be getting sympathy from you)
I too have purchased the mystical Jalie pattern in hopes of avoiding the tradgies of which you speak. (Although, I am jealous of the many many petite options in retail, which is sadly lacking on the tall side of things)
While making my legs look long isn’t a concern, I’m more concerned with not looking like a great blue heron in jeans, I hope I can stitch up as convincingly professional pair as yours! Now to find the time to do it
March 10, 2010 at 8:34 am
Jan
Evil Selfish Seamstress! Stop making me covet this pattern! I already have enough sewing projects to keep me busy until 2020 … maybe longer :-)
Seriously, your jeans look great, and I can relate to sizing issues … although mine are more in the area of major waist gaposis if the jeans fit my booty (stupid middle age!). And the legs are always too long, no matter what, although I’m 5’4″ and thought that was considered “average height.”
March 10, 2010 at 8:49 am
Elizabeth
You are officially my nemesis! Great looking pair of jeans. I am also jealous of your German fluency. I can only speak German like a toddler, not even kindergartner level. ARGH!
March 10, 2010 at 8:52 am
The Cupcake Goddess
What? You knit too! I can’t take it! Is there anything you don’t do? Amazing and yes, those jeans fit like a glove and yes I’m jealous and yes, I want a pair right now. How dare you make me covet? Meowwww!!
March 10, 2010 at 8:54 am
Uta
You make me want to make my own jeans! (Though I’ve never had issue with wearing H & M regular sized jeans. No brand snob here. But IKEA level sewing sounds really intriguing!)
March 10, 2010 at 9:00 am
katja
oh, I just started to make my first pair of jeans with this pattern and I am totally amazed! I, too, am suffering from genetics (though curiously, it was more suffering in Germany where people seem to be more of the same size. That, and I was a teenager there. A very small teenager. I was even size-tested because people made my mom sick with worry with all their well-meaning questions. It didn’t make one centimeter of a difference- genetics!-, but I beat their prognosis! But that was a long time ago. Now I am small and old in the US). I tend to buy my jeans used because they usually fit better, but this pattern, it may very well change my jeans-buying habits!
March 10, 2010 at 3:05 pm
selfishseamstress
Wow, tell me about it. I tried to buy a pair of shoes while I was living in Germany. ANY shoes. It was so not going to happen. I know other short Germans living in the US, and they joke that they were kicked out of Germany after not meeting the height requirements :D
March 10, 2010 at 4:06 pm
katja
yup, I got evicted :) Not enough height, no liking for beer, no liking the Autobahn, and a profound dislike of soccer….
….but I love this pattern! Finished the jeans now, and they F-I-T!
March 10, 2010 at 4:29 pm
selfishseamstress
Sweet! Congratulations! You’ll want to start another pair soon because you’re going to find yourself wearing them EVERY DAY :D
March 10, 2010 at 9:01 am
Digs
Cute note. Flattering jeans.
March 10, 2010 at 9:15 am
Rachel
Those jeans are amazing!!! I love the sweater, too. I have taken up knitting and am really enjoying it.
March 10, 2010 at 9:17 am
Darci
I don’t suffer from Genetics, but I’m all covety with your jeans! I’d love to NEVER spend another angsty shopping day trying to find the perfect pair and failing miserably.
I love your jeans and I want my own! Damn you for pushing my sewing to the next level!
March 10, 2010 at 9:28 am
June
Sing it, sistah! I always end up frustrated after jeans shopping! Even at my pre-childbirth slimmest, I had (proportionately) a “lady potbelly” (aka no waist), narrow hips, and tiny butt. If jeans fit in the waist, I could gather up 2″ on each side of the hips. And everything looked like Mom Jeans because the rise was often too high. I too hem everything by at least 4″. Gah. You really make me covet those custom jeans. I’m preg again right now, so it’ll have to wait, but you are pushing those jeans higher on the post-preg project list!
March 10, 2010 at 9:30 am
Angela
Love your jeans! I definitely need to go buy this pattern and see what all the fuss is about. :)
March 10, 2010 at 9:45 am
Katie
Perfect, of course. No one likes you.
March 10, 2010 at 3:06 pm
selfishseamstress
Heheh, that’s your fault though. If it hadn’t been for you, I may never even have bought this pattern!
March 10, 2010 at 9:46 am
Marybeth
They really do look great on you! Could you comment about what kind of materials you used? I know you wrote a post about where you got the fabric, but what kind of thread did you use for the top stitching? And I know you have to use a denim needle, but did you have to use a special presser foot? I hope I’m not asking you to repeat yourself… Thanks!
March 10, 2010 at 10:08 am
June
I must make a pair of these jeans! I’m 5’1.5″ and I rarely find jeans, or any other bottoms for that matter, that fit. Hence I wear the one pair of jeans that does sorta fit to death!
March 10, 2010 at 10:27 am
Margaret
Cathay is discontinued?!
March 10, 2010 at 3:08 pm
selfishseamstress
I assume so? It’s not listed on the Debbie Bliss site, and anytime I see it for sale, it’s always the last couple of balls. I’m pretty sure it’s been discontinued for a while- the last time I knit a sweater from it was probably more than a year ago and I had to really hunt for the color I wanted.
March 10, 2010 at 11:17 am
Venus de Hilo
I am in awe of your jeans-sewing prowess. I have this pattern. I even intend to use it, probably soon. My fit issues, alas, are due less to height or genetics than to too many hours in a desk chair and the onset of middle-aged spread. Stretch jeans will either hold some of it in or reveal all. Either way, will I dare go public with my result? My Jalie jeans (if/when constructed) might be compared with yours, and I have little hope of coming out the winner.
March 10, 2010 at 11:47 am
a peppermint penguin
Your Jeanetics are perfect.
http://www.jannettesrareyarns.co.uk/debbie-bliss-cathay—10-assorted-balls-19100-p.asp 7 balls wine and 3 of hot pink. If I find it listed anywhere else, I’ll let you know. Might be worth dropping Jannette an email and see if she has a secret source!
March 10, 2010 at 11:55 am
Lucy
I suffer from Genetics of the 6′ tall, (UK) size 9 narrow feet with high arches, small waist, swayback, large hips/butt, all of which resulted in a long-term back problem from the tender age of 17 (I’m 22 now). Jeans? Ha! Nice shoes? Forget it.
I can’t help but agree with sueanfang about the huge range of options that are out there now for petite women as opposed to tall ones, but I guess that the grass is always greener on the other side…
March 10, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Ellen
OK, I’m convinced. I have to make these jeans. Not sure when, but I have to make them.
March 10, 2010 at 1:52 pm
HelenD
From someone who suffers from genetics as well…even if there are a range of petite options out there, it’s still hard. I’m 5’1 and even the petite jeans are too long…always always have to hem and where the knee is ends up being off. I have plenty of junk in the trunk and wide hips so I always wear flared jeans to balance…but if the knee is off, it just doesn’t have the look that one is going for.
This makes me want to make my own…
March 10, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Lindsay T
I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: FRICKIN’ AWESOME JEANS!
And thanks for the compliment! (your Seamingly post) Right back atcha. Honestly, I hadn’t heard about Seamingly until you wrote about it. I read all the comments to your post, but I just don’t know if it’s something I’d ever turn to as a resource. I’d rather see who you read too. And there’s no content there. For me, it’s all about content. Give me good writing and decent photos and I’ll keep coming back.
March 10, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Tammy V.
OMG – you knit too !!!
March 10, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Belinda (sew4Fun)
“”No more swimming in the thighs of overpriced jeans only to find that I can’t button them closed at the waist.”
Amen to this. I made the sister Jalie pattern #2909 and I too couldn’t be happier. The jeans are definitely on my list now. Great post and fan-tabulous jeans! They do make your legs look longer. Funny how having the knee finish in the correct place will do that. :)
March 10, 2010 at 3:21 pm
The Slapdash Sewist
Fabulous jeans! Maybe I am ready to try pants? Naw….
Love the sweater top too.
March 10, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Vicki
If I was a good mother I would make these jeans for my two tiny teenage daughters. But I am not…so I won’t. They can continue to suffer their genetic affliction of being too petite!! Lucky for you, you can sew for yourself! You have beaten your genetics at their own game – well done!
March 10, 2010 at 6:09 pm
juebejue
looking great! those those pairs of jeans, shorties can soon rule the earth!
March 10, 2010 at 6:09 pm
juebejue
looking great! with those pairs of jeans, shorties can soon rule the earth!
March 11, 2010 at 2:29 am
The Perfect Jean « Petite Republic
[…] for myself in the past 2 weeks, after the selfish seamstress have posted multiple jean teasers just to tempt me into making another pair of jeans for myself. (OK, I do have multiple other […]
March 11, 2010 at 9:20 am
amber
Another stellar pair of jeans. Even though I can find RTW jeans that will fit after nipping in the waist more than should be necessary [side rant: I don’t get how most low cut jeans have such enormous waists on them – do they just think women are built like boxes?! Even the “curvy” fit pairs are still ridiculous. Have these companies never heard of things like “small waists” and “large hips”. Ugh!], I’m now beginning to think that I need to get this pattern and see if I couldn’t come up with a fecking awesome pair of jeans for myself. Hmmm….
March 15, 2010 at 2:43 am
senaSews
That jeans fits you perfectly. I think i need to hate you now for your perfect fitting jeans – especially since i failed so badly while sewing my own jeans!
March 15, 2010 at 11:06 am
Emilie_at_Jalie
I am really touched by your letter!
You really did an amazing job and look fabulous in your Jalie jeans. Designing this pattern was a lot of work, but reading letters, blogs and reviews like yours makes it sooooo worth it!
Mom (5′) and myself (5’6″) (both with small waist and wide hips) could never find jeans that fit well in stores, struggling with Genetics on every painful jeans shopping day (always coming back empty handed). We are glad to see that we are not alone and that our pattern is putting a smile on many women’s faces :)
March 15, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Lisa Blansett
I have this pattern and have been hesitant to try it. It will definitely move up on my list. Glad to hear that the instructions are easy to follow. My genetics have left me at the other end of the fit spectrum (5’11”) but still hard to fit. Tall are too tall and avg and too short! Enjoy reading your blog.
April 10, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Key Lime Trench! « The Selfish Seamstress
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April 23, 2012 at 10:49 am
My Jalie Experience: Part I « sdBev's Pantsed!
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