Monday, September 10, 2007

Denim Doodles

I had every intention of celebrating my old camera's new battery with some decent FO pics of Vino. Vino turned out great. The pictures did not. So I'll have to wait until daylight and try again. In the meantime, I'd like to share with you a different sort of FO.


This is my first (and probably last) attempt at embroidery. This was all about product, not process. I don't like to sew, by hand or machine. Actually, I don't like to sew by hand, and I don't sew by machine because I am terrified of that slashing needle. I am always convinced that it's going to grab the fabric and rip it out of my hands, or, worse yet, grab the fabric and suck my hands in with it. I know embroidery is not sewing, and I know you purists out there are spluttering with indignation, but it uses a little, pointy needle and thread, so as far as I'm concerned, it's still work. But I wanted a pair of embellished jeans, and since the thought of spending the month's grocery budget on jeans gave me pause, I decided I could figure it out for myself. That was...oh...maybe three months ago. I think I've finished three sweaters in the time I've been working on this simple little project.

I did start out trying to do actual, recognized stitches and following someone else's pattern. That was a total bust and accounts for the first two and a half months of the saga. Once I gave up on that idea and just made it up as I went, things went better. Well, faster, anyway.

I finished up the embroidery tonight, and then, with the encouragement and assistance of my two eager helpers (my sons), I got out this:


I think I may be the only person in North America who actually owns one of these. It was my husband's gag gift to me last Christmas. I love it. I've never used it before today, but I love it all the same. It's like a stapler for rhinestones. Between the three of us, we stapled the heck out of those jeans! (If you look closely, you can see little red rhinestones among the embroidery.) But, you ask, will I wear them? Oh, yeah. I'm a total sucker for this sort of thing. Also, I have no fashion sense.

And, since the theme of today's post is denim, I thought I'd share something else with you:


Yes, I really did take a picture of my own butt in the mirror (and how flattering it is, too!). But it's for a good cause, I assure you. This is in the nature of a public service announcement. As you can no doubt see in the picture, my lack of a "front porch" is more than made up for by my ample "back deck". My butt is at least a size larger than my waist. When I shop for jeans, they are either too tight in the seat, or too big in the waist, or, most often, both. Like most women, I am on a lifelong quest for a pair of jeans that fits. And friends, I have found one. Eddie Bauer has come out with a fit (called the "Shaped Fit") that is, in their words, "one size larger in the seat than in the waist." And you know what? They really are! I chose a size to fit my waist, and my rear just slid right in. There's no gapping at the waist, and while they're cut low enough to not look 10 years out of date, they're cut high enough that there's no risk of inadvertent butt cleavage, should I choose to sit in public. So if you have similar fit issues, I highly recommend giving these a try. They come in boot cut and straight leg options in a variety of washes and three different lengths. Definitely worth a look.

And now back to our regularly scheduled program.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have the same problem with my "back porch" :o) I will have to check out EB, since I usually buy guy's jeans that sit low on my hips due to the amount of room needed for my butt. And add a belt

Anonymous said...

Nice embroidery! BeDazzler - didn't those come out in like the 70s?? I seem to recall although I was so young at the time...ha ha!! And if you want to hear another really good reason to fear a sewing machine - I had a sewing needle break off and fly up and bounce off my glasses! Thank God I was wearing glasses or it would have got me in the eye! So if you do using a sewing machine - wear safety goggles!

I love Eddie Bauer pants!

Anonymous said...

Oh the bedazzler! My sisters and I were desperate for one. I think your jeans (both bedazzled and not) are fabulous. It is my experience that it doesn't really matter what your figure is like, finding good pants is near impossible.

p.s. thanks for the tidying tips, great ideas!

sophanne said...

Do you have a calloused hole in one of your fingers/thumb from inserting the needle through the denim?

They look amazing.

I never knew sewing machines could be so dangerous. Guess I just didn'g think it through. What's the line- where angels fear to tread or something?

MelissaKnits said...

I know someone who sewed into her finger with her sewing machine. I own many and use them often, but just sayin'.

The jeans are awesome - both the embriodery part and the fit part. Eddie Bauer, hmm....

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

OK, you have a killer booty, and I hope you are WORKING IT in those hippy chick embroidered jeans!:)

sophanne said...

and another thing... anyone with a 24" waist can expect to have a back porch booty! I'm just sayin.

Olga said...

Cool jeans- My daughter wanted one of those be-dazzlers for Christmas last year, so far hasn't done anything with it! I think I would rather have the back porch than the front porch, I have the great plains in my back yard and the sierra's in front!

Mel said...

Those jeans look great. I'm flatly refusing to buy any to fit my flabby belly because I'm convinced it will help me get back into shape. But it hasn't worked so far, maybe I need to cut myself some slack.

Interesting embroidery, btw. Where did the design come from?

a friend to knit with said...

Love, Love, Love those jeans! too cool!
i giggle every time i see that commercial for the bedazzler...now i will think of you!

yes, work that booty girl! it is a good one!

Haley said...

good for you for posting a picture of your booty. your new jeans are very flattering. loved this post. thanks for making me smile.

Angelika said...

Interesting blog you got there. How come I haven't found it before? Nice stitching by the way. You are multi talented, the way I see it. Say Hello to San Diego for me.

Sharon said...

Wow, I'm going to crown you the "Jean Queen!" Your embroidery is beautiful. And you have a fabulous shape to show off.

Me, I'm all about Gloria Vanderbilt stretch jeans. I got da junk in da trunk.

Bea said...

I'm so jealous that you have a bedazzler, I remember wanting one SO bad when I was younger! Your jeans look awesome!

Anonymous said...

I've secretly wanted a bedazzler for a long time now. Lucky! Very impressive embroidery on the jeans and it looks great! Work that fine back porch with pride!

Karen said...

Awesome jeans!

I'll have to go try a pair on and see how they fit me. I have had trouble with their sizes fitting me before.

knottykitty said...

You're embroidered jeans are fabulous! I, too, have trouble finding ANY jeans that fit. But alas, it is for another, more horrifying reason....my front porch is bigger than my flattened-with-a-castiron-frypan non-existent back porch! (How's that for an ugly image?!) Anyway, but the time they fit my waist, they look something like "culottes" on the legs and bottom half (if you are old enough to remember THOSE--LOL!)

I have secretly considered a bedazzler myself (wouldn't that V-neck T-shirt look just soooo much cuter with a few rhinestones!) My husband, Mr. No-style, even laughed at me! So I still don't actually have one...:)

Anonymous said...

The embroidery is great. Thanks for the jeans info - I'm built the same way.

Anonymous said...

As one who used to do a lot of embroidery, I say yours is great! Did you use a hoop? and if so, how did you get it into the leg? I am especially impressed by the fact that your design is perfectly symmetrical. It is one thing to plan it that way and quite another to execute it so. (Go ahead, ask me how I know.)

Most women would kill to have your cute butt. I know I would, except that it would be woefully out of proportion with the rest of my body. Woman have curves; clothing manufacturers seem to ignore that fact, much to our chagrin.

Life's a Stitch said...

Can't wait to try those jeans. i recently found Jones NY jeans with a similar fit - on sale, of course.
Li

...Sarah said...

I am "bedazzled"

Kenyetta said...

I am proud to say I own, rather my daughter but since i am the only user of it, I own a Bedazzler. I have used it several times too. It's fun!
The jeans look great, by the way!
Your back porch looks great, I have a front porch, back porch, side deck, terrace, etc....