Wednesday 13 April 2011

Bell bottom jeans Burda Style 11-2009-125

My younger daughter has been clamouring for jeans for at least 6 months. I did try sending her to the shops, but she would not play - she wanted bell bottomed jeans, and picked out the pattern from Burda 11-2009-125. These are not actually jeans, merely denim trousers, but this did not deter her.

SAM_0011

Despite appearances, I did make a toile, and fitting changes, prior to construction of these trousers. The fitting changes were 1. Shorten trousers by 12 cm. 2. Narrow side seams from about mid thigh to the knee (those are 13 year old legs under those baggy trousers). I also used the toile to make a pattern for the jeans style front pocket, where Burda has a buttoning patch pocket instead. There is no back pocket on the Burda trousers. I borrowed the pockets from Jalie 968 for a more jeans-ish look.
I was quite happy with the trousers when they were first finished. I like the shape of the trousers, most of the topstitching ( done on my vintage Singer, size 100needle, with purple YSI topstitching thread - completely ignoring the off centre Burda instructions), the gentle godets and the cute pretend-button-on belt tabs.
I had not used the Singer for topstitching before. It makes a lovely even straight stitch, and purrs through multiple layers of denim, but unfortunately I found it difficult to use at the waistband, and over the button tabs - I am too reliant on a transparent foot, the automatic up/down needle feature, and the edge foot on my modern machine. I am not showing you a close up of the waistband topstitching because it is desperately wonky. Hopefully, use of the Singer will improve my technique on future garments.

SAM_0012
(this photograph is intended to draw attention to the bell bottoms, with purple topstitching, my daughter's favourite feature)

Unfortunately, I failed to allow for the stretchiness of even non stretch denim. I am not prepared to fix the fit after all the topstitching. These trousers were worn all Monday evening (hot from the sewing machine)and by the photographs at crack of dawn on Tuesday, are rather looser than originally intended.

SAM_0013
Fortunately for me, women usually gain 50% of total adult body weight during adolescence, so these may fit a little better next year. I did suggest that they be tried on by the older sister, but daughter the younger refused to take them off.
SAM_0014
These, she says, are her own, one-of-a-kind designer jeans (she claims total designer credit due to her pocket and topstitching requests). I felt smug.

Now to prepare for the sister fight clothing disparity and variety discussion when I make a pair for daughter the first anyway.

16 comments:

Mary Nanna said...

I have always loved that pattern and have resisted the urge to make them for myself, saying I am too old to pull off that brand of retro irony. They are perfect on your daughter and the fit is pretty good actually - denim, like most cottons, loosens its weave on wearing. Let's think about the alternatives - denim that is so tight that doesn't loosen on wearing has a distinct "ouch" factor when sitting, or the other option, with so much lycra that you are practically pouring yourself into them - no no no, give me a bit of extra room any day. There are wrinkles that are worth having.

KID, MD said...

Adorable! With Mary Nanna, I've wanted to make these for myself, but wasn't sure of the age appropriateness of them. I may anyway - I just love them! The purple topstitching and cool-funky pockets are fabulous.

Carol said...

Cute as a button! The designer pockets are gorgeous. I wish I could be bothered doing things like that. You shame me.

Mary said...

Oh, those are so nice! I love the style, the loose fit and the detailing.

Joy said...

These are wonderful! I see bellbottoms in my near future. Actually, I've been planning to make this pair since the issue came out, but have been ruminating about a good top to go with them.

Joy said...

Mary Nanna and Katie: we are NOT too old to wear these! Maybe a bell-bottoms sewalong is in order...

Gay McDonell said...

They look really great and super cute!

Carolyn said...

I'm truly impressed at the amount of sewing you do for your children! And the embroidery on the pockets is so pretty!

DaneMum said...

Nice jeans - cool pocket too ;)

sewing spots said...

Just marvelous! No wonder your daughter won't take them off.

shams said...

Those jeans look great on her. And what a *nice* mom you are!

Audrey said...

Purple top stitching. I love it. I am betting you will be making another pair of these jeans for your other daughter. I am another commenter that has earmarked this pattern to sew someday. I don't have the magazine in front of me but I think Burda featured 4 versions of this pant pattern. Adding godets to make them bell bottoms, adding bigger godets to make them wide leg, and cargo pockets on the leg for yet another version. I always thought it would be fun to make all four versions, assuming I could get the first version to fit.

SewRuthie said...

Fabulous! Really love the pockets. The jeans are great on her, you probably should just make some more (slightly different) for daughter the elder.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous jeans, your daughter is lucky to have such a creative and productive mum. Could you let us in on your secrets for how you get so much done.

Allison said...

These are quite wonderful. demin jeans always strecth out of shape when you wear them it seeems, so this adds a touch of authenticity to the "trousers". The details you have used really make the pants... love the purple to stitching and the designs on the pocket. I bet your daughter will wear these a lot and I also bet that you are fussier about the fit (being and exeprienced and skilled seamstress and all) than she is.

Love your blog! You are so darned productive and make wonderful garments for the whole family. Such an inspiration!

The Slapdash Sewist said...

How great to make jeans for your daughter! I love that she loves them so much. The purple topstitching is such a fun touch.