Bar Tacks - Vintage Levi's Jeans Guide

Bar tacks are a sewing process that was used to reinforce the top corners of the rear pockets of jeans.  It involves sewing a large amount of thread to an area for strength.  It can also be used as an 'acid test' to whether or not Levi's are vintage or not.  If they contain bar tacks at the corners, you can usually say that those Levi's are at least 20 years old and may be vintage.


 
First style of bar tacking.  This is called an inner bar tack because it has to be bent down to ]
see the stitching.


Peroid: 1967-June 1976
Pockets were made with both rivets and bar tacking.

 
                      Black                                                                            Dark Green

                                     
                                                              indigo blue/purple
Peroid: 1976-1983                                                                          
No 'hidden' rivets, bar tacking was in various colors.



Peroid: 1983-Present.
 Bar tacking now in yellow and contained on the
pocket fabric. Not as noticeable.