Finished: BSM 01-10-136

Burda Style Magazine 01-10-136

I wanted to sew a pair of jeans even though  I was several years too late for the online sew-alongs.  I have two separate Today's Fit patterns for jeans.  I considered, and almost bought the jeans pattern from Butterick's Connie Crawford collection. Fortunately, I remembered Burda 01-10-136 before I bought a third pattern for jeans.  The garments I make with Burda require very little adjustment.  Or should I say, I choose to make few adjustments to the garments I make with Burda.  So Burda was the perfect choice for jeans.  The jeans in the January 2010 issue of Burda Style have been on my to-sew list since January 2010.  It was time to finally make the darn jeans.

Pattern Description: 
Basically, these are typical 5 pocket jeans.  They have patches on the inner thighs and binding on the hip and back pocket edges.

Pattern Sizing:
These jeans are from Burda's plus size collection.  Available sizes: European 44 - 52

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions were not as difficult as I expected.  I simply ignored the instructions I didn't like.  I used Sandra Betzina's instructions for zippers and I made a few changes to the way the waistband and belt loops were made.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Only the thigh patches make them different from 5-pocket jeans.  The thigh patches are sewn onto the legs and can easily be omitted.

Fabric Used:
Denim with a little bit of lycra for stretchability.

Conclusion:

I'm aware of the wrinkles and folds in the jeans (as shown in the picture on the left) and I know they point to areas that need adjustment.  But, in this case I'm satisfied with "good enough".  I usually wear tops like the one pictured on the right.  Covering the wrinkles and folds is an easier than endless adjustments and remakes.

Top-stitching is important in jeans.  Topstitching is much thicker than regular thread.  I discovered, after a couple of globby messes on the underside, that holding the topstitching thread and preventing it from being drawn into the bobbin area eliminated the globby messes.  I used my favorite edge-stitching foot for the first row of topstitching and then my quarter-inch foot for the second row.

I've learned making jeans is not a big deal, so I'm sure I'll be making more.  When I make these jeans again, I will raise the waistline an inch or so.  I know the style is to wear low-rise jeans.  But, I'm not a big fan of low-rise jeans.  The trend seams to be colored jeans these day.  I'd like to try a pair of those for spring.  (Finally, I'll be wearing something trendy!)