Birkin Flares from Baste + Gather!

I haven't had a great jeans pattern since I made my Jalie jeans over 6 years ago.  I've been on the skinny jeans bandwagon for a few years and those fit fine right out of the store.  So there was no need to sew my on.  Now, it seems that flared jeans (not bootcut, because they are TOTALLY different) have resurged.  Lauren of Baste + Gather has created an awesome flared jeans pattern -- Birkin Flares.  And I was given the opportunity to test out her brand new pattern.

I've never been a pattern tester before.  And I probably would never, ever volunteer to be one unless it was something that I felt I would absolutely love and I trusted the drafting abilities of the designer.  I'm a very low maintenance seamstress.  And I don't want to have to sew anything that will require a lot of muslin sewing and fit issues to work out.  So it's obvious where I stand on these.

Lauren created this pattern based on the Madewell Flea Market Flares drafting and sizing.  So, instead of making a muslin, I made life a lot easier on myself and just ran by the Madewell store and tried on a pair.

The Birkin Flares' sizing is pretty dead on.  I tried on the RTW size 31 and that's the size I cut in this pattern.

The Birkin Flares are drafted with a generous inseam of 34".  But since I would only wear flared jeans with heels, I added 3" to the length of the pattern.  

I love that they are high waist.  You can get a nice fitted jean with no muffin top and no butt crack!  There was a slight bit of gaping at the center back waist.  Nothing my belt couldn't work out.  But Lauren is working that out before the final draft.

My fabric is  11.5 oz Cone Mills S-Gene Denim in Indigo from Thread Bare Fabrics.

My hardware:

Jean Rivets in Antique Nickel

Jean Button in Antique Nickel

9" YKK Jean Zipper in Antique Brass

Topaz Gold Jeans Topstitching Thread

My pocket fabric is broadcloth from my stash.  And I used French seams.  I sewed these using a Schmetz size 16 topstitching needle.

I love this pattern.  And I plan to make a pair in stretch cord with Lauren's revisions!