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Curve Seam Denim "Wavy" Jeans Tutorial
Baby Lock Ambassador Marcia of Keechii B Style walks us through her process for creating these stylish and unique panel contrast denim jeans! A beginner sewist should be able to handle this project, even if you have never made jeans before! Discover how Marcia Spencer brought the color block trend to life and follow her process to make this look yourself.
Hi Lovelies!
Looking for a cool way to elevate your denim jean projects? Let’s talk about adding a fun, curvy seam to paneled contrast jeans. I’ve always loved a classic denim look—but I love it even more when it plays with different tones and washes. There’s just something about that contrast that makes a piece feel bold, modern, and totally unique. And I have to admit… these jeans were love at first sight.
They’re fun, interesting, and I instantly knew I had to bring them to life on my Baby Lock Altair with Altair 2 upgrade.
Marcia's Inspiration
I began by choosing a solid wide-leg pant pattern. I’ve always loved a good wide-leg silhouette, and I’ve been wanting to try the FREE wide-leg denim jean pattern from Unfettered Patterns, so this project was the perfect opportunity. It was the perfect base to experiment with something more creative.
Getting Started
After printing and assembling the pattern, I grabbed a pencil and started sketching my swirled seam lines directly onto the front and back pieces.
Take your time here—this is where your creativity really shines. I adjusted the curves until they felt just right, then carefully cut along those lines to create my new pattern pieces.
Tip: You may want to trace your curved pieces onto fresh paper so you can add proper seam allowance before cutting your fabric.
Once my pattern pieces were ready, I cut them out using contrasting denim fabrics. Mixing washes is what really brings this look to life!
Sewing Curves
Next, I pinned the curved edges together and stitched them using my Baby Lock Altair with a Klasse denim needle. Sewing curves can feel a little tricky, but slow and steady wins the race here.
After stitching, I pressed the seams to one side—this step is key for getting a smooth, polished finish. Don’t skip it!
Details Matter: Prep Carefully
Before assembling the full jeans, make sure to prep your pockets, yokes, and waistband pieces. If you’re continuing the contrast theme, line them up thoughtfully with your curved seams for a cohesive look.
Don’t forget to add the seam allowance on the curve when cutting these smaller pieces out. For this pattern I prepped pockets, yoke and waistband to continue my contrast theme. This may differ depending on what pattern you choose to use and your personal preference, so it's important to cut these pieces out on paper or muslin before cutting your denim fabric.
Topstitching
And let’s talk topstitching—because it makes all the difference. I topstitched each curved seam about ¼ inch from the edge. For this, the Baby Lock Bi-Level foot or Edgestitch foot works beautifully and helps keep your stitching clean and even.
Make sure to finish your raw seam allowance before you topstitch this makes for a clean finish on the inside too. For denim projects I like to serge the raw edges to finish.
Bringing It All Together
Once all your curved pieces are sewn and topstitched, you can continue following your original pattern instructions as usual. If you prepped your pieces correctly and added seam allowance, everything should come together smoothly.
This project honestly felt like putting together a puzzle before putting together the puzzle—if that makes sense! It definitely requires a bit of patience and precision, but the end result is so worth it.
For my final touch, I left the hem raw so it could fray after washing. It gives the jeans that perfectly worn-in, boho vibe that I absolutely love.
Why Denim Always Wins
Although this piece can be made in other contrasting fabrics and colors, there is just something captivating about contrasting denim. Denim is one of those fabrics that never goes out of style. It fades, softens, and ages—but that only adds to its character. That’s one of the reasons I love working with it so much. You can create just about anything in denim, and it always works.
So if you’re ready to try something new, grab those denim scraps, mix those washes, and start curving those seams. You might just fall in love with your next project at first sight.
For more from Marcia, follow her on social media via the links on this page.
