These Birkin Flares have been in constant rotation since I made them.  I was determined to break in this Cone Denim.  I normally wear my jeans a few times before I wash them.  But I've been wearing and washing & drying.  They've held their color beautifully, but they're a lot softer and so much more comfortable wear.  In all fairness, I'm most definitely a skinny jeans type of gal.  But I do get a kick out of the 70's vibe these bring.

I'm wearing them with this multicolor plaid blouse c/o Shein.com.

Plaid shirts and flared jeans pair so well.  They seem to be a style marriage made in fashion heaven!

So, the pattern testing continues!  This time, it's for the Birkin Flares (which are currently live) sister - the Kendall Skinnies.  This one is is not available yet because it's still in the testing stages.

These jeans are cut from the top up, based on the revised Birkin Flares pattern.  I'll be making another version of the flares soon!  I cut the size 31.  They are high-rise -- mine are 11.25".  I love skinnes with a higher rise.  They hold everything in!  No muffin top and no butt crack, because crack is wack! Sometimes when you put on a tight pair of skinnies, you think the rise is fine and then you sit down! Butt crack!  And I hate when my shirt doesn't stay tucked when I'm sitting or bending.  I didn't find that problem with these.  They're high enough, but without looking like tapered leg "mom jeans".

The pattern is cut with a 30" inseam.  I think this may be standard on all sizes.  You can always add or subtract length.  I plan to wear these with boots.  Even though I don't mind these hitting at the ankles, I will definitely do another pair with a couple of added inches for that "pooling" effect around the ankle for wearing with flats or heels.

For my last pair of jeans, I used that super heavy 12oz Cone Mills stretch denim.  I was really curious about it because I'd heard plenty of others raving over it.  If I try it again, I will definitely downgrade.  To give you an example of what it feels like, it reminds be of back in the day when I use to buy dark denim Levi 501s, and having to break them in.  I don't have time to be breaking in denim that stiff, so I'll stick with denim in a lighter weight.  

I actually found this denim at my Hancock.  It's an 8oz stretch denim with 3% spandex that was a dream to sew and topstitch and it feels wonderful to wear in such a fitted pair of jeans.

My leg opening is 11".  I tapered these down almost an inch.

I love plain back pockets.  They give jeans a classic look.  I can wear these everyday and just switch out tops and shoes, and no one would know the difference.  I can't wait to see what other testers think of these, because I love them.  Jeans are not difficult to sew, but they are most definitely detailed. And I would not be committing my time ESPECIALLY during the Holiday season at that, if I didn't honestly love them.  Because I really need to be finishing up my shopping!

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!