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I’m writing a jeans sewing book!

Yes I’m writing another book! And this time it will be about jeans making, a topic that I’m very passionate about and have been blogging about since 2009, when I made my first jeans sewing tutorial series.

Back then the jeans sewing patterns had instructions that bore very little semblance to how RTW jeans are made, so I decided to do some reverse engineering and shared my findings and how those methods can be applied to us home sewists. I’ve also started to update that series with better pictures since those initial 2009 photos don’t live up to the current visual blog standards!

Anyhow, these days the landscape has changed, and there are several jeans patterns that use contemporary sewing techniques, but I still think there is a need for this kind of book.

What will the book contain?
The basis will be clearly photographed, step-by-step instructions, just like my previous books, since I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about using this format.
I will also cover fabrics, notions, seam techniques, tools, fit, denim history and lots of other stuff too. And if you have any specific topic suggestion please let me know!

Will there be patterns in the book?
Not full on garment patterns. BUT, the book will contain loads of pattern templates for things like different pockets designs, zipper fly and pocket templates, fly shield patterns and other details that will help you hack your chosen jeans pattern and make it your own. For the print book, there will be a link to a downloadable pattern pdf kit. Luckily these pieces are often so small that they can fit into one or, at most, two sheets of paper.

Will the book be unisex?
For sure! I will cover everything from how to mimic raw Japanese denim selvedge jeans to sewing skinny stretch jeans. I recently interviewed a guy who works in jeans manufacturing and I learned that most jeans are in fact constructed very similarly, but there are some little details here and there that make them unique.

I also borrowed a variety of jeans from his collection that I photographed yesterday, and it’s really fascinating to look inside at the details, and I was very inspired to share how we can replicate those at home. He also told me that a pair of jeans takes 9 minutes (!) to make in the factory that he works with.

When will this book be out?
In 2020 for sure, but don’t know exactly when. My last book Master the Coverstitch Machine took almost 10 months to produce, so hopefully this one will be done in a similar time frame.

That said, I’m currently taking steps to give myself more space to work on this book, since I don’t think I could muster doing another book while working full-time at my day job and doing all the other sewing content that I do too.

So these are my new book plans! And as I said, I’d love to hear what you would want from a book about sewing your own jeans.



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20 Comments

  • Ellen
    June 11, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    Can’t wait. Your book on sewing activewear is so well done, I expect this one will be as well.

    Reply
    • Johanna
      June 13, 2019 at 9:50 am

      Thank you so much Ellen, that so encouraging to hear!

      Reply
  • COREY
    June 12, 2019 at 3:22 pm

    It will be nice to finally have a definite guide on making jeans. These techniques can be helpful in all other sewing projects. I am greatly looking forward the book. Will it be in hard copy or just downloadable pdf format?c

    Reply
    • Johanna
      June 13, 2019 at 9:52 am

      Thank you Cory! This is such a fascinating topic that I’m really excited to compile in book form. The book will be available both in print and ebook format. The print book will be available on all Amazon sites and other online bookstores, so easy to get hold of

      Reply
  • Daniel Burgoyne
    June 13, 2019 at 7:07 pm

    Hi!
    The difficulty for me is actually making jeans from high quality and heavy denim, like Japanese denim. There is info out there for light denim that is easier to sew but I would love a book that shows how to sew heavy denim with a household sewing machine. Industrial machines and processes are not really within my reach. Thanks.
    Daniel

    Reply
  • Kay
    June 14, 2019 at 2:34 am

    This is awesome! You go, girl! You can also make online courses if you are interested for all your ebooks, if there’s an interest.

    Reply
    • Brian
      May 5, 2020 at 3:12 am

      Button Fly!

      Reply
  • CTNBEE
    June 21, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    I like these books or tutorials the most. Even more knowledge in one place. Excellently! Congratulations.

    Reply
  • June Sewing Bits - The Last Stitch
    June 26, 2019 at 3:01 pm

    […] have lots of plans, but the two mains one are: writing my jeans sewing book and releasing my first garment sewing pattern. I will also hold some sewing classes (more about […]

    Reply
  • Sheila
    June 27, 2019 at 4:33 pm

    Can’t wait to see your jeans book, even though I don’t sew jeans. Who knows maybe your book will be the start! Yes, release your first pattern. You’re engineering background or capability, I don’t know which, enhances and makes your content even more enjoyable and awesome…….thanks for all you do!

    Reply
  • Margaret Looby
    June 27, 2019 at 6:41 pm

    Johanna, I know there are different strokes (teachers) for different folks, I just seem to learn from you so easily. I will be anxiously awaiting your jeans book! I follow a few sewists that have their own patterns even, but they are not easy to learn from. The same as sewing with knits. I bought your coverstitch book & quickly understood a ton more! Thanks for your hard work! ~~~~Peggy

    Reply
  • Macha Bennet-Shephard
    June 27, 2019 at 7:34 pm

    You know, it’s funny. Not long after I got a serger, I found your book on sewing activewear, which had just come out. Then, just after I got a coverstitch machine, your book on coverstitching came out. On Monday I was downtown in the garment district snapping up some fabric on sale for $1 per lb, and I came across stretch denim remnants for $5 a yard…so of course I had to get some. Then bought some topstitching thread…I had ordered a jeans pattern by Sandra Betzina for Vogue…. and now look- you’re coming out with a book on jeans!! You and I seem (seam?) to be on the same wavelength. I think a lot of people are!

    Reply
  • July sewing bits - The Last Stitch
    July 9, 2019 at 7:28 pm

    […] I’ve finished writing this blog post, I will start working on the design of my next book: Sewing Jeans: How to master denim making (working title). This is my happy zone, and I have so many ideas already for the layout. Just like […]

    Reply
  • Karen Swerling
    July 31, 2019 at 5:41 pm

    I’m so excited that you are writing this book, Johanna! Love your videos and blogs as you not only have a great passion for sewing, but you challenge yourself, like I do, and make very unusual and beautiful items. You are inspiring me, a person who never wears jeans, to make a pair of jeans!! Lol

    What I would love to see in this book is names of sources and brands. Where can we order good quality jean fabric? The best threads, patterns, zippers, etc. to use and where can we get them. Thank you!!

    Reply
  • Vicki
    August 4, 2019 at 6:22 am

    Awesome look forward to it..I’ve been wanting to make jeans for a while now as it’s so hard to find RTW to fit around my hips then they’re too big for my waist..plus I prefer high rise and most are mid or low rise. Will be purchasing the cover stitch book at a later date also.

    Reply
    • Johanna Lundström
      August 5, 2019 at 11:05 am

      Yes finding RTW jeans that fits is so hard, I have struggled so much with this myself, which motivated me to really get serious about jeans making. I will address those things for sure in the book, and how to adjust the height of the waist as well

      Reply
  • Susan Peever
    September 10, 2019 at 5:21 pm

    I look forward to you finishing your book, so I can buy it. I sew jeans for my grandkids but I am not liking the finished product. I know you will have tips and tricks in your book. Then I will venture into making my husbands and my jeans that look the rtw jeans.

    Reply
  • Laurie B
    March 1, 2020 at 4:14 pm

    I hope your book is out soon! Your blog post on hemming with the chain stitch was brilliant!

    Reply
  • […] I’ve almost produced 20% of the pages of my upcoming jeans sewing book (out in April of next year!), which might not sound a lot, but since I’m still doing it all […]

    Reply
  • EEDR
    September 28, 2023 at 4:57 am

    Muy agradecida. desde Cuba EEDR

    Reply

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