Amanda's Fall Lander Jeans

My love for the Lander Pants is no secret. Back in the spring, I shared my favorite summer version made with the zipper expansion pack. And you can bet I have a fall favorite: these guys! Full length in a light bleached denim with fun pocket topstitching, these jeans are the perfect transition from summer to fall. 

Pattern: Lander Pants by True Bias (Also worn with a Willow Tank and a Wiksten Haori jacket)

Size: 14

Fabric: Robert Kaufman 10 oz. denim (This wash is not in stock but this denim is very similar.)

If you've been thinking about making pants, I think the Landers are a great place to start. With added side seam allowance for finessing the fit and excellent instructions, fitting these pants was not a hard task for me, though I don't usually have to grade between sizes. The button fly initially intimidated me, but I think it might be a better place to start than a fly front zipper: you can practice the steps for that with the button fly first, before the zipper comes into play. That does mean you'll have to sew buttonholes through some thick layers - the perfect time to practice with your machine!

For these pants, I really wanted a jeans feel, so I used contrasting topstitching thread in a traditional jeans color - gold. I topstitched the fly, the belt loops and the waistband using the gold thread, for maximum jeans vibes. For the buttons, I recommend using the Closet Case Files set we stock in the store. The ones I used are very similar. Installing jeans buttons did take a little getting used to but there are ample video tutorials online. And my top tip for installing buttons: use a big hammer! The one I originally used was not heavy enough and made the job ten times harder. 

I knew I wanted to do something fun on the back pocket. I traced a simple lined pattern with a marking tool - use a Frixion pen or chalk - and stitched the design before attaching the pockets to the pants, using the same topstitching thread. Fun, right? And totally one of a kind. 

These jeans are easy to wear and style. I wasn't sure about the lighter wash staying clean for very long, but these pants are holding up well - no major stains yet - and I plan to wear them for years to come.