My new statement-print barrel jeans are such a fun (and maybe a bit edgy) wardrobe item that I can’t help but smile when I see them, though I’ve only just got around to photographing and blogging about them, even though I sewed them a while back. First of all, it was way too hot to do much a week or so ago, and secondly, I had a lovely few days away on the Welsh coast, which was absolute bliss. Of course, once I was back home, I had to catch up on housework and some client sewing. Still, at least I’m never bored, eh? Hehe
So for these jeans, I used the Smartpattern barrel-leg pattern that I’ve sewn before in brown denim. It’s such a great pattern, really well drafted, and I have more versions planned, too. The idea for this cow print pair was directly inspired (or should I say blatantly copied 🙂 ) by @twillybytina on Instagram. She had made the same pattern in the same fabric, and she looked so cool in them. I loved them so much that I decided to try to track down the fabric for myself. This was by no means easy, as I quickly came to realise, since it seemed to be available in only a few European stores. I eventually found it in an online store based in the Netherlands, and after a quick email and some WhatsApp messages, I was able to sort out an order.
When the fabric arrived, I loved the print. It’s a non-stretch cotton twill, and it’s lighter in weight than I had hoped it would be. I would say it’s a fabric more suited to Spring or Autumn as it’s not substantial enough for the colder months. However, I actually ended up making mine sturdier with the addition of an interlining of lightweight cotton muslin that I found in my stash. It worked really well and feels lovely to wear. More about that later, though.
When it came to cutting out my jeans, it wasn’t a case of just laying the pattern pieces on a double layer of fabric. It dawned on me that maybe I needed to think about pattern placement and where all of the splodges (for want of a better word) of cow print were positioned. For a start, I didn’t want the print to be all crowded in on one leg and not on the other, and also, I didn’t want the print aligned with certain…er…body parts…hehe. So I painstakingly cut out on a single layer, thinking about each piece as I went. I’m really happy how it all worked out.
Once I’d cut out the cow print twill, I cut each of the main body pieces again in the cotton muslin (not pockets or waistband, etc.). The muslin doesn’t go right down to the hem of the jeans; instead, it stops just below my knees. Each piece of the muslin was overlocked along the lower edge and then pinned or basted to its corresponding fabric piece. Then, I treated it as one piece of fabric when sewing everything together.
I didn’t do any fancy pocket topstitching on the back pockets and kept it to a minimum on the rest of the jeans because with the busy print, it wasn’t necessary. Also, having sewn up this jeans pattern before and knowing that the fit would be ok too, I was familiar with all the steps involved, so it all went together pretty quickly, and my sewing machine seemed to like the fabric too.
Here are a few detail photos with some that show the muslin lining too. I kept the pocket bags neutral and just used a standard button at the waist instead of a metal jeans button.
When I decided on sewing this project, I knew it was going to be a bit of a wildcard choice for me, but I’m so happy with the result, and I love the playful print, which brings a smile to my face. I think that sometimes it’s good to choose something that feels a bit different to what you would normally go for because it could just end up becoming a wardrobe workhorse or send your style in a different direction. And if it ends up not working out, then consider it a learning curve. Oh, and I’m so glad I added that cotton muslin because it adds a lovely bit of extra heft and strength to the fabric, and as I said, it feels great too. Plus, I think it’ll help towards the longevity of the jeans.
I know I’ll love wearing these jeans with a chunky knit sweater and ankle boots once Autumn starts, though maybe they could also work with a knit tank and my chunky cream sandals…oooh, I must try that combo. It’s fun to try out new ways to style things. I must do it more.
As always, thanks for reading and …
See you soon!
