With denim, I find washing it prior to making something (actually this is for most fabric) makes it supple enough to work with and pre shrinks it. Im lazy sometimes, and impatient, but with jean fabric, I tend to always do this.

 

These are the second pair I made with this pattern. I went down two sizes, and lowered the crotch by an inch, so the fit is a lot better.

But they were still a bit big on the side, and I could have taken them in about 2 inches total on the sides, but I did a flay felt seam on them and I wasnt gonna take that out!

I added inset pockets to these, my first, and they turned out really well.