These jeans trace their roots to Mary Nanna. I was casting around for a not-stretch jeans pattern with a bit of “flavor,” and found her Pattern Review of Burda 08-2009-106. I thought “Hey! I know her! I love those jeans!” She graciously answered a few questions I had about construction, suggesting I bone the waistband seams or use belt loops to keep it smooth and above my waist as intended. I chose to bone with 1/4″ lightweight rigileine in the SB and SF seams.
I laughed at her hilarious VPL top-stitching, and decided to have a poke at it myself. This pattern has no back pockets so I invented them, and omitted the front pockets because Mary Nanna said they gap.
I made these jeans last Friday, as my husband and daughter went to go visit his family I had the time.
Burda and I have a shaky relationship at best, the instructions for these were about as clear as mud. The pattern for the front piece is on the sheet as one, then in the preparation they tell you to cut it down the middle. I wasn’t sure- did that mean with or without seam allowances? I’m still not sure. I flipped a coin and chose without seam allowances, though I compensated by making narrower seams on the sides. Either way, I lucked out and it worked.
I used a 38 for the front, and 40 for the back. A quickie muslin gave me more confidence, so I charged on. It’s too hot here most of the year to wear thick jeans, so I made them 3/4 length. When making design changes like that, it’s easy to make a big mess so I decided to fall back on the Golden Ratio. I figure if it worked for ancient architects, it could work for me.
The basic formula is: a/b=1.618… I marked where the waistband began on my body and measured straight down from my shoulder. 42.5 cm, which would be “b.” I solved for “a” and rounded, coming up with 69 cm length for the pants. I might use this ratio more often.
I used Debbie Cook’s jeans fly tutorial. It’s been such a long time since I last made a fly; I didn’t want to make a mess. I can’t recommend her too highly.
Fantastic pattern, feels great, very fun to wear. I made some pretty ugly jeans earlier this year, but these make up for them.
Decorative stitching on the inside, and my “tag” embroidered near the waistline. Might as well, right?
In other blog-sewing-world news, I received this lovely McCall’s dressing gown pattern from Petal at Petal’s Pattern Stash. Thank you so much! I have a ridiculously large amount of weird flannel in the closet, I’ll dye it and make this up for winter. Full-length circle skirt- fetch my smelling salts.
Your jeans look great. Love the decorative stitching on the back pocket and insides. Another pretty top.
Great jeans – you made some good choices there with the finished length and the boning – they really look they will stay in place! I hope you get lots of wear out of them and enjoy them, they look fabulous!
oh my goodness, where do I start? Boning in the waistband of your jeans, VPL topstitching, the golden mean … so much to love.Plus those jeans look utterly amazing on you!
Well, that golden ratio seems to have worked! Super cute, and I love the cheeky pockets. I have been debating a similar raised waistband for my next skirt, and wondering about boning, so it's good to hear it worked for you!
Yes, these are cute and so is that sassy pose in the first shot. The VPL stitching is very funny. I've been considering making the top you're wearing, but I think I've made enough ruffles for a while. It works really well with the jeans.
The golden ratio! You inspire me! The jeans are fabulous. The whole outfit is terrific.
Ha ha! I'm making these right now as we speak, look at my blog. Thank you for the info on boning! I was unsure as to whether it would be necessary with my deni fabric…
Whoa – boned jeans?! That is serious stuff! My sewing machine needle has snapped just thinkking about it! They look great!
Wow! These are super cool! Love the pockets! Ohhhh and the McCall pattern at the end is scrumptous!
Rigilene Boning is really not serious stuff, a light stiffener sewn right into some of the seams. I use it sometimes in bags.
Those are terrific jeans and they look fabulous on you. You mentioned your skin, and I'm wondering how you stay so fair in such a sunny climate.
I wear a big hat, sunglasses and a sunjacket any time I leave the house.
These look like a really nice fit! Great idea to bone the midriff, anything high-waisted I've made has needed it. And yes, how can one not love those pockets…I just have a plain sewer – I want a machine with fancy stitches now!!
These are great. I am so impressed with your details on the inside. And using the golden ratio– so cool. The length is perfect. I've always found it hard to wear cropped pants. Maybe I should test the length of mine.
The jeans look really nice at that length, I totally overlooked those before in the magazine. I really like the waistband style, it looks very smart yet it's comfortable.You're embroidery pattern placement is great, I love the cheekiness! (pun intended!)
I agree, terrific jeans. I loved the pattern seeing them on Mary Nanna’s blog as well; maybe next year will be the one for jeans sewing for myself…? It’s also great to see these in a different length.
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