I’ve mentioned before that I had a minor epiphany when I realised that I was never going to get traditional button-fly jeans that would fit me well, but would generally succeed with pull-on elastic-waisted jeans.  The Style Arc Blakley stretch jeans are another case in point.

It’s hard to accurately photograph jeans sewn in dark denim – especially in shots taken from slightly above. The proportions are all off.  Let’s zoom in a bit and hitch up my tee.

From the Style Arc website: This slim leg easy fit pull-on jean features a wide waistband with inserted elastic for extra comfort. The faux pockets feature a horizontal design line which is top-stitched with a twin needle stitch. The faux fly also has a twin needle top stitch. FABRIC SUGGESTION Stretch denim or any stretch woven with approx. 3% lycra.

I sewed these in stretch denim from M. Recht, and chose to do the topstitching with a triple stitch in regular Gutermann polyester thread (in bright orange) rather than twin needling.  I didn’t do the suggested back pocket design because I didn’t have any transfer paper handy, so went with something easier.

I shortened the pattern both above and below knee level, probably a total about an inch and a half or so. The waistband has wide elastic inside it, cut to the same length as the pattern piece. This still gives me negative ease around the waist and keeps the jeans up, while fitting snugly around the bum and thighs. My legs are proportionately very skinny in comparison to my mid-section, which carries lots of abdominal fat.

Oh, size-wise I sewed size 10, despite my waist measurement being more like a 16. The stretch in the pattern and in the style still allows it to work. Style Arc, you’ve done it again!