Jeans & Cords

How have I nearly forgotten about the pair of jeans I made? And even the cords before that for Milly. This pattern was picked because Milly likes ‘Mom jeans’. Although what the shops sell as mom jeans are not what I would wear! I find the shape most unflattering!! These weren’t quite right either – for Milly or me!

I started with the black cords for Milly, but I also cut out my jeans at the same time. The cut out denim sat on my shelf for over a year I think!! In fact the cords sat in my room to alter for quite a while too.

Plan was to taper the legs a lot more than in this pattern, but I cut them out as per the pattern, to pin and cut as desired at the appropriate stage. So I made the black cords first, pockets all done, fly done, pinned legs together to get Milly to try them on.. took them in a little bit more.. I would try to get her to try them on each time, but it was always too much trouble!! I finished them off anyway, and while the leg shape wasn’t too bad, the waistband was way too loose. They even fitted me, but as I didn’t like the fit at all they had to be altered again. They sat in my sewing room for ages before I got round to it!! Belt loops had to be undone (only on the top edge), the waistband unpicked, the top part of the back and side seams unpicked, all including topstitching. The side seams were taken in a little, and the back seam quite a lot, and then all re-topstitched. I cut out a new waistband too and attached that, and re-attached the belt loops. It was not fun, but I was pleased to finish them. They are still a bit loose around the waist, and she has to wear a belt with them!

That was why the jeans sat on my shelf for so long – I just couldn’t build up enthusiasm to do them, when I hadn’t liked the fit of the cords. But I encouraged myself by making them more bespoke with some embroidery, which would distract from the weird shape! I splashed out on a couple of bought designs, and used another that I had bought previously.

I started with the pocket, and some nice teacups. Once embroidered (only one pocket), the pockets were attached to the backs.

Next part in making the jeans is the front pockets, and all the double stitching around them:

I then did the embroidery on the legs. First a butterfly hot air balloon.

Then a steampunk-ish butterfly / sewing related one… you can’t tell at this stage though!

I was very happy with the embroidery parts, so didn’t want anything to go wrong with the sewing after this stage and waste the hour or so watching the hot air balloon stitch out!

Here are the embroidery sections at the end:

I did try them on lots to try and get the shape right, and to position the embroidery designs in the right place, but I would still have liked narrower legs.. they are ‘comfortable’! I think they look pretty professional, but don’t wear them as often as I should!