I’m going into this project fairly skeptical. It’s labelled as an intermediate pattern, and I am definitely still a beginner. However, I love all of the finished makes I’ve seen online and know it’s something I will wear if they turn out!

Day One – Cut out my pattern pieces and completed steps 1-6. I’m still not sure where I went wrong with the pocket notches, but I made it work. I switched to a jeans needle once I got to the first topstitching step (step 4) and decided to just leave it. Also tried to use topstitching thread, but had a horrible time trying to get the machine threaded so I ended up just switching back to the all-purpose thread I started out with. I guess you need a topstitching needle for that?

Day Two – Zipper, pockets, side seams, inseam. I really hate these instructions. Especially ones associated with the fly extension. I completely finished the front pieces only to realize I’d have to unpick almost all of it to correct my mistake. I had sewn everything up without catching the unfinished edge of the fly extension. I had to unpick roughly 6 steps, but it did end up looking nice in the end. Trying to remind myself that this is just my first pair and it’s good to learn!!!! I won’t make the same mistakes again.

By the end of the day I was able to get to the first try-on and I was starting to feel really good about the outcome!

Day Three – Belt loops, waistband, hem . No issues attaching the belt loops, but the waistband made me want to rip my hair out. It ended up being short by a little over 2 inches! I spent some time on Threadloop to see if anyone else ran into this issue, and it definitely seems like it’s a common problem with this pattern…. which is just unbelievably baffling to me. Especially for a pattern that’s at the higher end of the price scale!

For reference, my waist is ~30″. I measured my favorite pair of Gap barrel leg jeans (size 26L) and they most closely resembled the finished garment measurements of the Daughter Judy size 6.
Because the size 6 waistband ended up being so short, I had to redraft it completely. I added 1.5″ to either end of the pattern piece, resulting in a ~size 12 waistband for a straight size 6 in order to capture the complete fly extension and have 1/2″ seam allowance on both ends as required by the pattern instructions.

I had initially planned to make the belt, but I bartacked half of the belt loops too far down so I’m not sure the belt will fit. Currently the plan is to just skip it on this pair and aim for a better result next time.

Aesthetically, I am very happy with the results and know these will be something I make regularly. It’s just a really frustrating process the first time.

This project has also taught me that I strive to be a precision sewist, but I still have a long way to go.

FINAL PHOTOS COMING SOON – just waiting on my button to arrive!

Pattern: Coe Trousers by Daughter Judy
Fabric: Olive Drab Workwear Cotton Twill from Matchy Matchy Sewing Club
Fabric Weight: 8 oz.
Size Made: Size 6 w/ waistband mods and 1″ added to length.