HI,
I was under the assumption that for the beautiful roping effect a chainstitch on the hem was necessary.
Like so
Now today I read the portrait on Jack/Knife at rawrdenim http://www.rawrdenim.com/2013/10/introducing-jackknife-outfitters-quality-start-finish/ (beautiful Western pocket jeans by the way) and in it it says:
"
While chain stitching has become the standard for raw denim, they’ve opted to single stitch the entire jean by hand without the use of guides or double