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Construction
The way jeans are cut, put together and finished will influence their appearance and durability. Since you will wear jeans often, the garment must be made well. In general, check for smooth, straight stitching, even stitch length, and threads secured at ends of stitching. Extra stitches, bar tacks, or rivets serve as reinforcements at places of stress - belt loops, at pocket openings and below the zipper. Consider these details:
Waistbands - The band should be cut in one piece and securely stitched with ends enclosed, rather than overcast. Check to be sure belt loops are securely attached and of ample size and number to hold a belt in place.
Placket - The fly area, whether with zipper or buttons, should be faced or of a double fabric thickness. Look for straight, secure stitching and at least one bar tack to reinforce the bottom of the placket. The fly facing or shield should be tapered and reinforced with tacking or fabric tape. The zipper should be sturdy enough for the garment fabric and of adequate length to easily put on jeans. Be sure the zipper has a secure lock feature. That is, the zipper glide should remain in place at the top when stress is applied.
Seams/Stitching - Flat fell seams with double or triple stitching provide flat, firm, enclosed seams. Check to be sure they are smoothly constructed. This seam construction encases the seam allowances so there is no raveling during wear or laundering. If seams are not flat fell, be sure the seams are serged (overcast) to cover the raw fabric edges and thus prevent raveling.
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