Creston Jeans for Calgary Stampede

17 August 2024

If you’ve read some of my previous blog posts, you’ll know that I’m stupid about entering contests. I am compelled to enter challenges and contests!

That said, over the years, I’ve become more selective in what I enter, and try to reign myself in and only commit to things that will result in a garment that will actually be worn in my real life. I never expect to win; I just like the motivation that comes from completing a contest entry.

The Calgary Stampede is like most agricultural fairs, with competitions for traditional arts and crafts. Before I became interested in sewing, I only walked through the exhibits to get to the wine bar. Last year, that changed when I entered a project in the Creative Arts and Crafts Competition. I did it on a whim, mainly to encourage others in my Meetup group to participate. I also knew that fewer people enter these competitions, and as a person who spends many hours every week working to build our sewing community, it is important to show the world that ‘normal’ people do sew clothes. We don’t just quilt.

I didn’t win anything in 2023 but I did receive comments from the judge and they were helpful and encouraging. Much more kind than the notes on my sewing projects in Grade 8 Home Ec.

I was moderately pleased with my jean jacket. The sewing is good, and I’m hoping it will have a more comfortable fit after more gym sessions.

2024 Contest Entry

Continuing on my vow to sew things that will actually receive rotation in my wardrobe, I decided to sew jeans. The pattern that I used for my entry is the Cashmerette Club Creston Jeans. I first made these in October 2023 in stretch denim. Those jeans fit quite well right out of the envelope, which is what I expect from Cashmerette patterns. But they have a bit more ease than I like, and the topstitching is a bit sketchy so they were good, but not perfect. I had not sewn jeans before and it was a major accomplishment to actually sew bottoms that fit and would be worn. And they have been worn countless times.

In May, I attended a three-day sewing retreat with Vogue Pattern designer Ron Collins and I revisited the Creston jeans. With Ron’s help in fitting and sewing techniques, they turned out pretty darned well, and part way through the process I decided that jeans would be my project for the Stampede competition. I suppose I could have entered the jeans I made at Ron’s retreat but I didn’t finish the seam allowances nicely and more importantly, the embroidery on the back pocket of the jeans was not the design I wanted for an entry. I had a theme in mind …

My Entry

The cream coloured denim used in the pair shown above is Basic Denim from L’oiseau Fabrics here in Calgary. It’s cotton/poly blend weighing 270 gsm (about 8.7 oz). I know that’s not considered heavy for denim but like a lot of people, I’ve gotten used to pants with a fair bit of give, so for my contest entry fabric I went looking for stretch denim, and I found some at Fabricland. (I also found quilting cotton that was appropriate for my theme for the inside pockets and waistband.) I neglected to write down the details on the fabric. It’s definitely a blend with a fair bit of polyester in the mix and is probably 230 gsm.

This pattern has all of the basic elements: front pockets, fly zipper, back pockets, waistband, and topstitching, but it has slash pockets instead of typical jeans pockets. So they look a bit more like trousers than jeans. I would classify this pattern as complex but not difficult. There are several steps, and the topstitching can be a bit tedious but it’s not nearly as complicated as the lined jacket that I worked on in the winter.

Because I had used with this pattern twice before, the project went together quickly. There were several tips/tricks that I learned from Ron Collins that made the process easier, and also improved the final fit and finish. Too many words to type here but I highlighted them in a video on my YouTube channel.

My jeans were delivered to the Stampede in late June, and were on display in the Western Oasis at the Stampede, right by the Wine Bar. I was really pleased that seven other members of our sewing group had garments displayed, and two won ribbons!

Judge’s Comments

When you pick up your garment after the Stampede, you receive the judge’s comments. Sort of like a report card. The comments were generally good to very good. Two things in particular stood out to me:

• Topstitching was once again noted as being less than perfect. There was a lot of topstitching and yes, more than once I neglected to change the stitch length from 2.5mm to 3.5mm. Guess the judges wear really good glasses!
• The only seam finishes that were not serged are on the yoke. I realised this after the seam was sewn and topstitched, and will make a note on the pattern instructions to do this next time.

Part of the Wardrobe?

As I type this, I’m wearing the jeans. They fit well and are comfortable. This denim is lightweight enough that they’re good for summer. And they do not crease! Guess you know that these will likely wind up in a suitcase when we travel.

Once again, it was fun to participate in the contest and the judge’s commentary and grading was fair. No mean notes. No red pens!

Would I enter again? Absolutely!

Would I encourage others to enter? YES. While there were more garment entries in 2024 than in 2023, there aren’t enough. There are categories for young entrants (12 through 17), and future competitors (under 12). Future competitor entries are free, and only require a photo of the item, not the actual item. So between now and mid-June 2025, encourage your kids/grandkids/littles in your life to create something.

Information can be found on the Calgary Stampede’s website and 2025 details will likely be posted in February or March. If you’re in the Calgary region including all of Alberta, and even BC and Saskatchewan, I hope to see your entry there in 2025!