Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Burda 04-2009 #118 Bell Bottom Jeans

So I told you guys I was itchin' to make jeans right? These aren't jean-jeans. They are more of the trouser jean variety. I really like them. I used BWOF 04-2009 #118, a slim bell-bottom pant with patch pockets on the front instead of the back. Here's the line drawing.


The model photo. This woman has no butt. None.



Here's my version. I only put one patch pocket on the front but added two slightly larger ones to the back. I figured this woman did have a butt and there was a lot of blank real estate back there with no pockets.


I used my new embroidery machine to add tone on tone decorative embroidery to the pockets. I really wanted them to be mirror image but my embroidery machine said they were too big to edit on the machine. I'll have to get some embroidery software so I can do that on the computer. I assume you can do that right? Change it on the computer, put the new file on the thumbdrive, and stick it in your machine? The embroidery doesn't show up this much, it's the flash that makes it stand out.



Front detail shot. I topstitched with Coats and Clark Heavy Duty thread in a warm copper tone. I added a jeans-style button and topstitched the waistband. I did modify these slightly so they were below the waist. The original pattern stops at the waist but I like my pants an inch or so lower. This is a good height for me.




Here's the back view. Sorry for the oddly angles shot. I was doing this myself. You can see the pockets are about 1/8" off. I waited until I had already put the pants together before placing the pockets. I wanted to make sure they were in the right spot. Oh, and the embroidery is from UrbanThreads.com. It's called Delicate.



I've got some sort of front thigh thing going on here. You can see how it looks snug in this picture. Must run more and lift weights less.



Here's a more accurate shot of the fabric. It's from Gorgeous Fabrics and it has an almost teal cast to it. It's a lightweight material and has no stretch.



I took this shot so you could see how wide these are at the hem. I added a deep hem to the bottom.



Here they are in their bell bottom glory. In this picture you can barely see the embroidery. That's the look I was going for.



I played with my other "new" machine too. I set the Necchi up as a buttonholer and topstitching machine. Doesn't it make pretty keyhole buttons??!?!?



Here it is in action.

I'm still waiting on the Jalie patterns. Harumph . . . . maybe tomorrow.

29 comments:

Lori said...

Great looking jeans, I like that style and it looks fantastic on you. Yes, with the software you will be able to mirror, resize and edit part of the design.

Mid-Life Meandering said...

Your jeans are really flattering. Great job!

Christina said...

These are *awesome*!

Paulette said...

Freakin' fabulous! And NO, you are not allowed to say you have real estate on the back side....you are tiny woman!!
It may just be me but look at the side view pic, it almost looks like you have a gap at the waist. Could just be the angle so just ignore me.
If you get embroidery software, you'll have so much freedom to play with designs, etc. You should stop in and check out Advanced Digitizing Class at SLH. It is every Monday night in April starting the 13th. If nothing else, you can at least see what's possible.

Alviana said...

Great pants! Love it love it love it! Totally look great on you! :)

Mary Nanna said...

wow - they look fantastic and the perfect fit! wow! all those details .. so very impressive.

Unknown said...

I planed to sew this pant for myself and your great looking jeans from it give me a quick of my bottom ;-)
Your pant is very nice and fit very well!
I wasn't sure about the front pocket but I think I will stole the idea : only one front pocket! ;-)
Just some question about the fit: witch size did you cut ?, is it a lot of ease in it or not ? Going by mesurement, I am about 1inch slimmer that the size36, I think I will downsize a little what do you think of it ?

Unknown said...

Wow! Nice job, they looks awesome! I saw those in that issue and just thought, I could never pull those off... but Dawn could!!! As for software, I will email you what I know.

gwensews said...

Nice pants. Looks like a perfect fit.

Tany said...

I plan on sewing this model soon, so thanks for reviewing it! Good call on the back pockets, they look great!

AllisonC said...

Wow I love these. Did you have to do any adjustments in the erm, butt area or is the model photo a bit misleading?

Elaray said...

The jeans really look great on you. I like the embroidery on the pockets, too - great addition!

Amanda S. said...

I love the pants! This is a definite must-make from the April issue.

Shannon said...

Great pants- love the embroidery! This pattern caught my eye, but I would have to size it up, so I'm not sure I'll get around to it. I sure love trouser jeans, though, and yours look great. Work those bell bottoms!

quer|elastisch Sabine Sprotte said...

Wow - they fit perfectly.

Some similar I made two weeks ago, too. But the picture is still missing.

Next 4 days are off (Easter); additional the next week holiday - and after a two-days-short-trip I hopefully could do some more sewing.

In case of that you also Easter-holiday ... have some sunny days.

Sabine

Meg said...

Nice work, Dawn! You really pulled everything together so fashionably, and the fit looks perfect.

Sarah P said...

Your blog is an ispiration! I'm not quite up to trouser standard yet; I've only just finished my first (very easy) skirt, but I'm raring to go. Well done on such a lovely piece of work and a great blog!

Peacock Chic said...

Oh man those are super cute!! I wish I had a body that could rock those!! The embroidery is a very unique touch that I love. Great job!

Maryissewfast said...

Great jeans Dawn! Makes me want to go cut out a pair! Here is a link to Embird embroidery software. You can download it for a 30 day trial period for free. I had PE Design and I sold it after working with Embird because it is so user friendly and had better features. http://www.embird.com/ (disclaimer: I do not work for Embird...just a satisfied customer)

Edris said...

Love your new jeans. Good job selecting your detailing. They should get plenty of wear.

Karen said...

Damn, woman, how did you get those jeans from that pattern? I looked at her long legs and lack of butt and just passed on by, but now I might have to give them a shot.

I just gave in and placed my Jalie jeans pattern order, but right now I'm working on a wearable muslin of the Ottobre jean that is looking pretty promising.

Love the color, love the pocket embroidery, love the buttonholing Necchi.

linda68701 said...

The jeans look great. I've been enjoying reading your blog and your adventures in sewing. This may be a dumb question, but how did you get a subscription to BWOF? What website did you use?

Susan said...

That BWOF pattern looks perfect as jeans! Great topstitching work using your new baby!

Rachel said...

Those look great on you. Would yo explain how you modified them so that they are below your belly button. I like lower rise pants myself, but I am not sure how to alter them to make them lower rise.

Cole's Corner said...

I love that style of jeans. My little sister would look great in those too!

angie.a said...

Good gravy. I've not even begun to start my jeans yet and you've already finished a pair! Take a nap, would ya?? :D

And you need Embird for resizing/flipping/adding lettering, etc to your embroidery files. Yup, it works pretty much just like you said.

Sewingadicta said...

Very youthful pants! really cute!

Little Hunting Creek said...

Those jeans are beautiful! I love the embroidery

Dei said...

Awesome jeans. They look too cute on your tiny figure.