I chose to not topstitch the belt loops with topstitching thread, instead just sewing two lines of triple straight stretch stitches in the natural thread. Having cut the belt loop piece from the edge of the fabric where there were no embroidery stitches, I thought the plain ivory look would be lost if I used the topstitching thread there.

On to the waistband, which is usually one of the places where my inaccurate topstitching shows up quite clearly! However, I came across some instructions at Closet Case Patterns (https://closetcasepatterns.com/how-to-sew-a-jeans-waistband-alternative-method/) for a slightly different method to attach the waistband which should result in a neater finish. Instead of sewing the facing and outer bands together at the top, you attach them both to the jeans at the base of the waistband then fold in the top and topstitch to close. Again I topstitched all the way around the waistband with the natural thread first, then added in the regular stitches in topstitching thread afterwards. It feels strange to attach a waistband this way, but it did make it a lot easier, especially as I was wary of pressing the fabric as I didn't want the iron to flatten the pile of the cord.

Of course the buttonhole should really be stitched in topstitching thread, but there was no way I was going to attempt such close stitches on my machine. So I used regular thread for the buttonhole and used some Fray Check on the stitches to help reinforce it. After getting this far with my jeans, I don't want to cut corners and find the buttonhole frays out with wear.

For the hem the first line is in the regular thread using the triple straight stretch stitch, as I really don't want to risk that hem coming down! I then stitched a line with the topstitching thread just above the original one, which is really more for decoration than anything else. If the topstitching stitches break at any point, the natural coloured stitches will still hold the hem in place.

Despite the disagreement I had with sewing these jeans initially, I am really pleased with how they came out. The cord has a wonderful feel, even though the pile runs in the opposite direction to what I had planned, and the decorative embroidery stitches make it look somewhat Christmassy as well!

Thank you Minerva for letting me try making something from this fabric! I think these jeans will get a lot of wear this winter - maybe their wintry colours would even encourage the weather to cooperate with some snow as well!

If you've been undecided about making something with embroidered cord, I hope I've given you some inspiration, and that I've also reminded you to not keep using those older needles - a fresh new denim needle can seriously make the difference between a successful sew, and a failed disaster!

Paddy

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