I’ve made some boyfriend jeans! Hehe, I actually made these aaaaaaaages ago! and have been dying for the pattern release, just so I can wear them more often. They’re so comfy and easy to wear, they’re my current favourites. I really really love them 🙂
Pattern; the Morgan jeans by Closet Case patterns, named for the lovely Morgan of crab and bee. They are a mid-rise, button-flied, slightly cropped leg jean with a skim-the-body fit *deep breath* Wow, there are so many descriptors attached to jeans now, yeah? Jeans are no longer just “jeans” but there are so many defining clarifications that come with each style. These are quite different from any of the jeans I have made before in shape and fit, but of course they are still “just jeans” in the sense that they have all the features of jeans beloved to us all, like the 5-pockets for example. Heather kindly asked me to test the pattern, and this is my first go, off the bat. Apparently the leg has been widened slightly since I made these.
Fabric; these are designed for a non-stretch denim, so I found a nice, crisp, deep dark charcoal cotton denim, mid weight and with absolutely zero stretch to it in Spotlight. No stretch, and the jeans still feel fantastic! I also used coppery-brown Guttermann’s upholstery thread for the topstitching, and copper-y coloured jeans buttons, all from Spotlight. The grey cotton for the pockets and waistband lining is the same fabric as my grey gardens dress (Fabulous Fabrics).
My first button fly! I wasn’t sure if I’d like it at first, I thought it would be bulky; but now I’ve got it and have worn it a few days, I realised my fears were unfounded, and I really do like it. Also, it’s nice to have something a bit different, yeah?
Pockets, with lots coppery/brown topstitching #topstitchingporn
Leather patch on the back. I cut this from one of the last scraps of leftovers from my Danish suede jacket. I forgot to add it at first, doh! but it does make them look just a little more ready-to-wear, no?
Alterations: initially that waistband was quite gape-y in the small of my back, a usual thing for me. I’m quite hippy, I suppose! so I took in several inches off the waist at the centre back, tapering out in a straight line out to the hips. And shortened the waistband at centre back, correspondingly. This is my usual adjustment to fix that problem for me, and worked just fine for these too. I didn’t alter the position of the pockets, so on my jeans they are situated a little closer and more slanted inwards to the centre back seam than the pattern intended, but I thought they looked ok and didn’t need moving.
hadn’t added the patch at this stage…
I love how they look rolled up a coupa rolls, this makes them three quarter on me and I really love this, a little bit 50’s capri pant-like. I love how they show off a pair of little lace-up shoes. Hehe it’s probably a bit obvious from my shoe-making efforts that I’m SO right into the flat lace-ups at the mo! btw, those red sandshoes in my beach pictures below? are fully dead now, (sob) I’m pretty sad about that, I thought they were cute. #needmoreredshoes
Top picture is my current outfit of the day… I actually put on something else first thing today, inwardly wanting to wear my Morgan jeans and moaning once again that I couldn’t yet, because you know, the Reveal and all. And then I saw on IG that Heather had released the pattern. So I could wear them, yay! Other outfit sloughed and abandoned, Morgan jeans donned with joy and delight 🙂
This style is perfect for the weather we are getting right now; which is starting to get a little crisp in the morning but still quite warm during the day and not cold enough yet for socks! Not too hot, not too cold, but just right. These are going to get worn a tonne …
Details:
Jeans; Morgan jeans by Closet Case patterns, non-stretchy cotton denim
Top, (white) loose drapey top from drape drape by Hisako Sato, cotton jersey, details here (black) self-drafted Tshirt, details here
Raincoat (top picture); made by me, self-drafted, details here
Shoes; red sandshoes (below), made by me here, yellow shoes (top picture), made by me here
Fantastic – I love your fabric/pattern match (it is not that easy to get the perfect fabric for jeans I have found), plus they are a great fit and look super comfortable.
Great looking jeans and love all the cooper top stitching. Nice touch with the leather patch.
I wasn’t sold on boyfriend jeans, thinking Mum jeans but these are quite a slim fit. They are cut a lot like the Capri jeans I like but never seem to find. They look great and I may have to invest in this pattern.
These are awesome! And button fly?! Must get this pattern….
I like the button fly – really good feature.
They look so good, Carolyn! I love them.
These look great!
Really like these on you maybe because they look slightly slimmer and not too baggy? But I want to know can you wear them unrolled? How would you wear them unrolled? Shoes wise I mean?
thanks Manju! yes you could easily wear them unrolled if you wanted to, but the way I’ve seen boyfriend jeans worn is ALWAYS rolled up just a little bit; it just seems to be one of those things that defines and identifies “boyfriend jeans”! You see them worn with heels sometimes, which does give more emphasis upon femininity and helps to “glam” them up a bit. I think the baggier they are, then a higher heel probably look better, be a more balanced look 🙂
I also like the slimmer legs on you. The jeans look fabulous.
How good is a basis waistband eh?! These jeans are lovely and perhaps they offer some fancy button opportunities? Another winner from CCF and you of course!
Love everything about these! Looks great both ways you have styled them here. 🙂
They look fantastic on you. But then, what would not?
These look terrific on you.
Such a professional sewer, your work is wonderful. I love reading your posts and seeing your photos.
Very nice jeans. I like the contour waistband.
Did you ever wear button-fly Levi’s 505s? They bring back memories of HS. They only came in men’s sizes. I took in the waist and narrowed the legs of mine. In the era of Guess jeans, I even added huge Vislon nylon zippers at the ankle.
Perfect fit! Really love the details 🙂 Well done!
Love these! It’s great that you know what adjustments you need to make on yours. I am still learning. I think I need to get this pattern though.
Just wanted to mention that I recently discovered r/shoemaking on reddit. There was a lovely pair of leather shoes on there that looked like they were following the same process as you are. You might want to take a look!
I love these jeans: they’re just the fit I look for in jeans. I bought the pattern and now need to muster the courage to make them.
Looking forward to seeing more of your shoes! Good luck exploring the secrets of shoemaking further, down to the secrets of durability. I know nothing about shoemaking myself, but I’m rooting for yours and your year of handmade 🙂
I like those very much, I would have to make exactly the same adjustments as you – it is one of the reasons I make my own, I spent so many years with a gaping back waistband rucked in with a belt, just to get the hip size. Jo x
They look amazing – perfect top stitching!
Lucky!!! I wish I would have been a tester for these. I am a self proclaimed “Jeans-a-holic” and have a hard girl crush on Heather/Closet Case Files. I love my Gingers and have purchased the pdf and await the Jeans kit from CCF to make mine 😀
I love how these look on you…super RTW. Great job and fun post, thanks.
G
I’m eyeballing this pattern since its release…. and your version is making it worse! You look great in those jeans, they fit you so well! Great job!
WHEEEE! I was so happy when I saw how great the fit was straight off the bat and I’m so happy you’re loving them so much! Thank you again for all your wonderful help my friend! xoxoox
Those look like the perfect jeans!
YES! YES! YES! These are so YOU! The pocket placement looks just right! I love your leather patch! And the detail shots of the button fly are great!
I felt the same way about wearing/not wearing my Morgans, LOL. I did wear them, ’cause I love them so much…but I remember one time I had them on and I knew I was going to a fabric store where some of the staff ‘know’ me…so I had to change into another outfit.
Love the way they hang. Just up my street those are. The epitome of cool. https://ladysewstheblues.blogspot.co.uk/
Ooh these look so good Carolyn! I love the shape of them and all the little details like the topstitching and the leather make them look so professional. I get the same gaping at the back with shop bought trousers and jeans so I’ll need to remember to refer back here if I ever get round to making jeans.
These Morgan jeans are hot right now. My dear friend Sue (acolourfulcanvas) also just made a pair. Button fly? You might as well fly me to the moon. These look fantastic, especially with your tape shoes. Why do jeans have that leather bit on the back. You need to blast your name on there. or something.
Love these jeans on you. I like the slimmer leg. Beautiful workmanship (as always).
my new fave kinda porn: topstitchporn. You look amazing in these!
Geesh not many people can say they made their outfit from head to toe! Literally! Nice stitching and a super nice fit, love your Morgans!
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I followed your link to these jeans – just had to see them! Love them Caroline – wonderful fit and you’re right they do have that ’50’s vibe which is so cool 🙂 I have been following Heather Lou’s jeans and have her pattern with the ebook all printed out and ready to go – just haven’t made myself a pair yet 🙂