Pattern Review: Matchbook Jeans by Daughter Judy

I was very excited to try making the Matchbook Jeans by Daughter Judy Patterns even though they are a more relaxed fit than I’m used. They turned out to be super comfortable and the slouchy fit is growing on me! I’m really happy with how they turned out and I’m looking forward to seeing how they break in over time. In this review, I share all my notes about the pair I made, my thoughts on the fit, and how they compare to the Worship Jeans by Daughter Judy Patterns.

If you’re curious about making your own jeans or want to see more of the pairs I’ve made, head over to my blogpost How to Sew Jeans where I walk through the steps of making a pair of Worship Jeans. I really like the pockets on the Matchbook Jeans and used the pattern pieces to hack front pockets to the Cedar Pants by Leila Makes.

The Pattern

The pattern is the Matchbook Jeans by Daughter Judy Patterns and, like their other sewing patterns, it comes in two size ranges – the DD range is sizes 0 – 20 and the JJ range is sizes 16 – 34. These are a mid rise, relaxed style of jeans with a slight dropped crotch with a straight fit through the hips and legs that taper slightly right before they end at the heel. They have the classic jeans 5 pocket design, with a back yoke and straight waistband. You can find more details and the size charts and fabric requirements on their website.

The Instructions

I’ve made several Daughter Judy Patterns and what I’ve come to learn is that the instructions are intentionally minimal and straight to the point. The Matchbook Jeans difficulty level is rated intermediate and I would say that is true in both the sewing process and in the instructions. Yes, a beginner could follow the instructions, but just keep in mind there really isn’t any over explaining at each step or helpful tips that you might find in some other sewing patterns. There’s usually two illustrations per step, and it’s written in a way that some steps have 3-4 tasks within that step.

The instructions are clear though and I only noticed a few places where they were lacking, mainly small steps like pressing instructions or minor inconsistencies in the illustrations. The zipper fly instructions, one of the more challenging steps, is explained over several steps and I think they are detailed and clear. It may take a few times reading through each step though if it’s your first time.

Note: Daughter Judy Patterns went through a rebrand in 2025 and the instructions were also updated with a new format. I still have the old version of the Worships Jeans instructions and when comparing them to the Matchbook Jeans, the wording and overall content is pretty much the same and just the design, like fonts, layout and illustrations, were updated.

The Fit

Before my first pictures, I washed and dried these jeans once and then wore them for 3 days so I could get a good idea of how they relax. After that I decided that the waistband just felt too big and I ended up switching out the waistband for a smaller size (I talk more about this in the Modifications section below). All the pictures of me wearing the red t-shirt are with the smaller waistband and it’s subtle, but you can tell that the fit is slightly different. This made them feel SO much better! They are sitting higher now than I think is intended, but I prefer the fit much more.

I made a size 6, the same size I make for the Worship Jeans, which is right where my hip and waist fall on the measurement chart (h: 39.5” w:29.5”) with no mods (at first) except to shorten the legs 2″. There is ease at the hips, but not too much, and I can pinch out about 1/2″ on each side after the denim has relaxed at the end of the day. I like the amount of ease and I feel like they fit just right without being too big.

The mid rise was something I was worried about, since I mostly wear high waisted bottoms, but I actually like where they hit on me. I have a short torso though so I think these sit higher on me than a true mid rise. I do feel like I’m supposed to wear them lower on my waist to match the intended fit/dropped crotch look, but with the size 6 waistband I found myself wanting to pull them up.

I really like the leg shape on the Matchbook Jeans, especially from the front. From the side, the denim bunches up in a funny way sometimes, but I think this is because the heavy weight denim I used still has some breaking in to do. I’m still on the fence if I should shorten them more – I typically liked my jeans to show a little more ankle – or leave them the length they are. (In the pictures below, the one where I’m wearing the red t-shirt was taken a week apart from the one with the green t-shirt and I can already see that the denim has relaxed a little).

The overall fit of the Matchbook Jeans is very comfortable, but as a millennial recovering from the skinny jeans era it’s still hard for me to distinguish between a “slouchy style” and feeling “too big.” They are however, great for sitting in – I’m wearing them as I type and I and don’t have to unbutton them at all. 🙂 I’ve even worn them to assemble pattern pieces on the floor (if you know you know) and the looser fits enables a larger range of movement. I’ve been wearing them pretty consistently for over a week now to really test the fit and break in the denim and I’ve been getting used to, and liking, the slouchier fit.

One fit concern, is that even after switching out the waistband, the back of the waistband gaps a lot when sitting. It sits flush against my back when standing though, so maybe this is normal?

How does the fit of the Matchbook Jeans compare to the Worship Jeans?

My main question I had when the Matchbook Jeans pattern was released, was how does the fit compare to the Worship Jeans? I knew I had to make them to see for myself! The main similarity is how they are constructed – they both follow the same construction order, same zipper fly instructions, same amount of pockets and belt loops with just a minor difference with the topstitching on the leg inseam (one line instead of two). Both patterns recommend using heavier weight non-stretch denim or twill weave fabrics – at least 10 oz.

The intended fit of the Matchbook Jeans is an overall relaxed and loose, especially through the thighs and legs, with a lower rise (the top of the waistband hitting 2″ below the natural waist), a slightly dropped crotch with the hem finishing at the heel.

The intended fit of the Worship Jeans is a snug, almost tight fit through the hips that will relax and mold to your body over time, a ‘v’ shaped center front of the waistband for more comfort when sitting (the top of the waistband hitting 1″ below the natural waist), a closer fitting rise, a looser, but still slim, tapered fit through the thighs and legs (View A) that finish at the ankle.

First photo – Matchbook Jeans, second photo – Worship Jeans

Waistband – The Matchbook Jeans have a curved waistband while the Worship Jeans have a straight “pitched” (meaning that they form a ‘v’ at the center front) waistband. I personally haven’t noticed a huge difference in fit between the waistbands, but I know some sewists prefer curved waistbands to straight (or vice versa). The waistband on the Worship Jeans is much more snug and the finished measurements on the chart for a size 6 fit my waist measurements exactly (29.5″). This means that the Worships take a bit more time to break in and relax at the waist while the Matchbooks feel comfortable at the waist right away.

First photo – Matchbook Jeans, second photo – Worship Jeans

Ease – The Worship Jeans have much less ease overall especially at the hips and waist. The designer mentions in the instructions that these may feel too snug straight from the machine and recommends wearing them and giving them time for the denim to relax. My first pair of Worship Jeans that I made in 2023 have broken in beautifully and fit me like a glove. The finished hip measurements on the chart for a size 6 fits my hip measurements exactly (39.5″). The Matchbook Jeans have less ease overall right off the sewing machine, so there really isn’t much of a “breaking in” time and they felt comfortable right away. I could almost size down but I think I would loose some of the intended slouchy look.

First photo – Matchbook Jeans, second photo – Worship Jeans

Rise – The rise on the Matchbook Jeans is described as mid rise with a relaxed saddle (the curved seam when connecting the front and back rise). The Worship Jeans are described as a higher mid rise with a closer fitting saddle. I notice this the most when sitting – It’s more comfortable in the Matchbook Jeans and when wearing the Worships, I usually have to unbutton/unzip. 🙂

A small but interesting difference I noticed, was that the grainline on the pocket pieces is different and the Matchbook Jeans are cut at a slight angle. I’m guessing this is to help the pockets match the grainline of the twill fabric once on the back of the jeans(?).

Between the two patterns, I still think I prefer the fit of the Worship Jeans, but I also see the benefit in having a more relaxed pair of jeans like the Matchbook Jeans – so comfortable for everyday! What it really comes down to is what style you prefer and the amount of ease and comfort you want in a pair of jeans.

For now I’m happy with my one pair of Matchbooks, while I have one or two more pairs of Worships I want to make. I also find it easier to style the Worship Jeans with my other handmade clothes probably because I’m just more used to the form fitting tapered leg style (although, I remember thinking that my Worship Jeans felt too baggy when I first made them! I’ve gradually moved away from that skin-tight skinny jeans mindset 🙂 ).

Fabric & Hardware

For my Matchbook Jeans I used a 13.5oz Mount Vernon USA rigid denim in indigo purchased from an online shop that is sadly no longer in business. I would love to find more of this denim somewhere because it’s such a nice denim! It was easy to work with despite the weight and it’s still pretty stiff but I can tell it’s going to break in so nicely over time.

I ordered a jeans hardware kit from Stylemaker Fabrics but haven’t decided if i want to put the rivets on yet. The pattern calls for a 6″ metal teeth zipper which I purchased from Wawak.

Modifications

The only modification I made (at first) was to shorten the length by 2″ (I’m 5’3″). I’m still deciding whether I want to shorten them a tiny bit more…we’ll see.

After wearing these for a few days with the size 6 waistband, I decided it just felt too big. So I took unpicked and took off the waistband, cut out a size 4 waistband and put that one on. I took in each side seam 1/4″, blending the stitching out to the regular seam allowance at the hips.

It’s maybe a little hard to tell a difference in these photos, but I definitely feel a difference after switching out the waistband. The green t-shirt pictures are with the size 6 waistband and the red t-shirt pictures are with the size 4 waistband.

Both times I skipped interfacing the waistband for less of a “belted” feel, which I’ve learned is what I like in my pants waistbands.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I am glad I purchased and made the Matchbook Jeans and tried out a new-to-me fit in jeans. I love making jeans and it was fun to have a different pattern to make than my go-to. I have reached for my Matchbooks more than I thought, so I think it’s safe to say they were a success. Lately, and probably because of the colder weather, I have been craving more comfortable, relaxed fitting clothes (besides pajamas) and these really fit that description.

I’ve mainly been wearing my Matchbooks with cozy hand knit sweaters and sweatshirts, but I tried out a few different looks to see what I liked. There’s some that aren’t my favorite but it was a good experiment to see how these jeans fit with the rest of my wardrobe.

Shown below in order, High Country Women Lizabeth Lounge Top, Silversaga Amelie Blouse, Ozetta Moonset Polo, Daughter Judy Genra Shirt, Milaonni Patterns Josephina Top, Petite Knit Esther Jacket.

I hope that reading through my notes was helpful! Let me know if you have an questions or if you’re planning to make a pair of Matchbook Jeans. 🙂