The next few months I’m sewing along with Kenneth D. King. A bunch of other talented seamsters and I have joined up to learn how to recreate our favorite jeans using Kenneth D. King’s Jean-ius class on Craftsy. Here’s a reflection on my efforts to sew well.
Okay, can I just start by saying that I want to be Kenneth King? He exudes such knowledge and confidence while still coming off as friendly and approachable. He sneaks in industry secrets so casually and almost without ego. He makes marking seamlines and grainlines fun!
One of the interesting things he shares is that copying a garment by taking it apart can introduce distortion. So, you’re actually better off going through this whole process than taking out your scissors!
Now that I have colored thread markings highlighting the seams, grain, and crossgrain on my jeans, I’m ready to reverse drape, as Kenneth King calls it, or make my rub off, as it’s called in the industry. It’s crazy to think I’ll already be making my pattern in next week’s lesson. I almost can’t wait! More Kenneth, please!
If you’re interested in taking this class yourself, follow this link for 40% off Jean-ius: Reverse Engineer Your Favorite Fit with Kenneth D. King.
Sew Well 
I’ve used both ways to make a pattern – taking apart a garment and rubbing it off – but I didn’t know about distortion. That’s interesting.
I just purchased a book that discussed the rub-off method and successfully recreated a blouse and a pair of jeans. Next up, doing a rub-off of my favorite trench coat for spring.
Oh! This is a great class – I did it last summer. KK is wonderful!
Sounds like a great class! I have some pants I’d like to copy.
I have GOT to take this class! My husband has been begging for jeans forever, but the process of trying to alter a pattern to fit him sounds dreadful… but if I could just go off his favorite pair of pants… Well that sounds more likely! Also, I wonder how this technique would work with other garments…?
Kenneth King explains in the class that he actually came up with the method of using organza in order to copy some vintage dresses that were tissue thin. So, I think it could work on any that you can identify the grain lines and pin organza to!
I took apart a pair of jeans to pattern them and whilst they were wearable (I wore them to death) there was some distortion.