Gold Splattered Denim Jeans

I had the pleasure of visiting Chicago in March over my spring break, and I ventured out to Vogue Fabrics in Evanston--it was my friend Molly's & my #1 stop. It lived up to the hype, let me tell you! While I was there I picked up some of this stunning gold denim, and about a month later, I made jeans for my beautiful friend Cassie to model for me.



I drafted a pattern just off of a pair of her jeans, and then Cassie and I spent all night in the lab of one of our campus buildings working on our respective fashion show garments. (I don't think we're supposed to be in there over night. I probably shouldn't be saying this. Incriminating stuff!) We seriously were there working from about 10pm until 5:30am, when we figured we should leave before the cleaning staff arrived. It was on a Tuesday night, and the garments had to be turned in on Thursday that week. So, we didn't have much choice! But I got the bulk of the work done over night, and only had to sew the waistband on that afternoon.



Sewing jeans was a surprisingly straightforward task. They miraculously fit her like a glove, with only a few minor adjustments. Beyond that, it was simply the time consuming details: j-front zipper, inset front pockets, back patch pockets, and the double topstitching everywhere. I don't have a double needle, though I realize it would have been a wise investment. Instead, I just had to be really precise, and run everything through twice.



All the pockets are trimmed in distressed leather. The waistband has two snaps and a fully functioning fly. They're really just basic jeans, but the fabric makes them so striking. In fact, I'm so nuts about them that I went back to Vogue Fabrics this June, and bought more to make myself a pair. I was practically dancing when I found they still had the fabric!





They were a hit at the fashion show, too. Cassie is an amazing model, and she just rocked them like none other. I got nominated for an award for the look, up against some seniors, and I was so so humbled to win. The award was Best Technical Achievement in Fit. It was such an honor--only a couple underclassmen won awards. Cassie was nominated for Best Female Model for the second year in a row... I have my fingers crossed that next year she'll win! She deserves it.

*Runway photos taken by Hannah Riordan.