Heroine Trouser Pattern

From Merchant & Mills.

The Heroine jeans are fitted to the waist with a straight, generous leg and a healthy turn up. This is a rendition of the classic Levi-type jean that has been adapted for women.

This is a pattern that we would advise making a toile/muslin first, firstly to adjust the fit if needed but secondly to familiarise with the pattern instructions. We have not used a traditional run and fell jeans seam, we have chosen instead to topstitch the seam, which is easier to achieve on a domestic machine. We have found that a heavy duty thread rather than a topstitch thread gives a more authentic look to the topstitching and is easier to use. You may find that you get a better stitch using a matching standard 'sew all' thread in the bobbin.

All seam allowances are 1.5cm unless otherwise stated.

Skill level - experienced.

We recommend pre washing your denim before sewing. Putting a large piece of medium-heavy weight denim into the washing machine can sometimes lead to white creases in the denim, this is because it is a stiff fabric so it doesn’t have room to move around. We recommend doing the following to help this not to happen:

• Wash your denim on its own for the first wash. You don't need to use detergent if you don't want to.
• Wet the fabric first before putting it into the drum.
• If you can break up your denim fabric into half this will help. Or if you have your pattern already you may be able to break it into smaller parts by looking at the lay plan - leave some wiggle room!
• For the first wash use a delicate 30 degree cycle with a low spin.
• If any white creases develop ironing whilst still damp will help.
• Do not tumble dry.

When you have made the jeans we would recommend washing them inside out.

M&M Suggested Fabrics:
Fabric suggestions - 8 - 12.5oz non stretch denim (up to 14oz with a heavy duty machine.)

Marcy says, this classic jean could work in other fabrics in a denim weight - and I would also use a stretch denim, adapting the fit for a slightly snugger fit as denims and cottons with lycra tend to stretch a bit when worn.