Eureka Jeans
Some of the branding on the two pairs of Western-style jeans I made some days ago. It's a lot of fun making my homemade jeans look like actual products.

#RawDenim #WesternJeans #Branding #EurekaJeans #ForOver30Years #JustAHobby #NotForSale
Apr 19, 2025 at 9:13amWeb
Show threadJoost De CockApr 19, 2025

@eureka I am very impressed by how good all of this looks.

I would love to learn more about your setup. What machines are you using? How do you set the rivets, and exactly what type of rivets are they? What about the buttons, the thread, the needles, and so on.

Is there a place I can read up about this?

Show threadEureka JeansApr 20, 2025
Thank you for your kind words!

For this pair I used the following five machines:
1) Union Special 51400 (1/4 inch gauge), a vintage two-needle chainstitch machine, for felled seams etc.
2) Juki SL-700 EX, a single-needle lockstitch machine, for all other seams and topstitching.
3) Juki Baby Lock BL3-500, a domestic overlock machine, for all serging.
4) Union Special 1700 (1/4 inch gauge), a vintage belt loop machine.
5) Singer "Blue Champion" 20U, a zigzag lockstitch machine, for all bartacking.

You can see these and other machines I use in this post from some years ago:
https://pixelfed.social/p/eureka/394265249892296227

Most of the materials I use are from Citron Jeans ( https://www.citronjeans.com )
The rivets, buttons, etc are attached with a hand press.
The rivets on these pairs are 16MWR-RCO on one pair and 16MWR-CON on the other pair.
The snap buttons are 16.8 mm UNION MADE-COX on one pair and 16.8mm UNION MADE-BG2 on the other.
The thread is UJ 100% cotton Z-2 (Brown) nr 20 on top and nr 30 on the bobbin.

The denim is 13 oz left-hand twill selvedge denim made in Japan, which I got online through Yahoo!Japan Auction.

Past posts on my Pixelfed page are the best place to see and read more about how I make jeans:
https://pixelfed.social/eureka

Thanks again! - Raoul
Eureka Jeans (@[email protected])

My sewing machines back home in Tokyo (pic 1) and here in Osaka (pic 2). Here in Osaka I'm all set up now for making single-needle construction jeans models up to around the 1910s, before the introduction of chainstitch seams and belt loops. Back home in Tokyo, I can make jeans from any period, but as I'm in Osaka 99% of the time now, I'll be mostly making 1920s to 1970s models in Tokyo. Whenever I manage to go home, it's usually just for a couple of days, so I'll be preparing belt loops, button holes etc. here in Osaka and assemble everything when I'm in Tokyo. #sewingmachines #eurekajeans #forover30years #justahobby #notforsale

Pixelfed
Show threadJoost De CockApr 20, 2025

@eureka wow, thanks that's all very inspiring.

I'd love to team up sometime to bring one of these jeans designs to FreeSewing. It would be so great to try and capture some of your expertise and help aspiring makers get a jump start on a nice pair of jeans they can make themselves.

I imagine you're very busy, but if you're open to the idea, please let me know 🙏

Show threadEureka JeansApr 20, 2025
Thank you! That sounds very interesting. I took a look at FreeSewing and am extremely impressed with what you have accomplished! I made an account and will spend some time learning to use the site.
To be honest, pattern making is my weakest point in jeans making. I recently started learning how to use Valentina, but I haven't had enough time to get comfortable with it yet.
I fully share your philosophy behind FreeSewing. The main reason I share the process and results of my work on the Fediverse is to help people who want to give jeans making a try.
As you mention, my daytime job keeps me very busy, so it may take some time before I can actually provide something, but I am definitely interested.
(Ben jij misschien toevallig ook van Antwerpen?)
Show threadJoost De CockApr 20, 2025

@eureka That's great to hear.

To be clear: am I happy to make this a joint-venture. I can handle the Freesewing side of things 😇

(En ja hoor, ik woon in Antwerpen. Wat een toeval!)

Show threadPhil 'BygByte' ReynoldsApr 20, 2025
Your "Eureka" photo brought to mind the Japanese word Kintsugi. Is there a Japanese art form that would better describe your work? -Phil
Show threadEureka JeansApr 20, 2025
Thank you for your kind words! I really love the philosophy behind Kintsugi. Vintage denim is often repaired in visible ways and the repair becomes part of the history of the garment, so there may indeed be some similarity in that sense ...