by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, Fashion, jeans |
We’ve all been there before: you accidentally wash your favorite pair of pants on the hottest setting possible, causing them to shrink down a size. Instead of having the “perfect” fit, they are now tight, constricting and downright uncomfortable to wear. The good news is that denim is naturally resistant to shrinking. Denim is incredibly strong and resilient to shape changes, which is one of the reasons why jeans have become the world’s most popular style of pants among both men and women. The bad news, however, is that certain types of denim, such as those made with a combination of denim and other fabrics, may still shrink to some degree when exposed to excessively hot temperatures. In the event that you accidentally shrink your jeans, you can usually unshrink them by following a few basic steps. First and foremost, fill your bathtub with lukewarm (not hot) water and place a small amount of baby shampoo inside. Next, press your jeans down into the soapy water, keeping them submerged for at least 20-25 minutes. After this time has passed, remove the jeans and squeeze the excess water out. Take your damp jeans and place them flat on a clean, dry towel. Now roll up the towel (and the jeans) into a cylinder shape. The purpose of this is to remove additional moisture without drying them completely. Go ahead and unroll the towel/jeans and re-roll. Do this three or four times and the majority of the moisture should be eliminated. After unrolling the towel and jeans for the last time, keep the jeans laid out flat on the towel and...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, jeans |
Soaking Your Jeans in Seawater is Good for Them I’m not sure how this myth got started, but it needs to go! Sure, there are some benefits associated with washing jeans in saltwater, such as the ability to make them softer, but this doesn’t mean that it’s okay to soak your jeans in seawater. Seawater contains a countless number of microorganisms that can not only change the color of your jeans, but it can also make them unsanitary — not to mention the fact that seawater smells. For these reasons, it’s recommended that you do not soak your jeans in seawater. Your Can Clean Jeans by Freezing Them We talked about this in a previous post here on the MakeYourOwnJeans blog. In case you missed it: sticking your jeans in the freezer is not going to clean them, nor will it kill the germs. On the contrary, freezing simply renders the germs inactive for a short period of time. Once the jeans are thawed, the germs return back to life. This is yet another denim myth that we’ve debunked! All Denim is Rough One of the distinguishable characteristics of denim is its rough texture. This texture is actually beneficial because it helps protect the fabric from damage. With that said, however, it’s important to note that not all denim jeans are rough. Stretch jeans, for instance, are made with a combination of traditional denim and an elastic material like polyester or Spandex. The combination of these fabrics allows for a greater level of elasticity as well as a “softer” texture. Raw Denim is Better Raw denim, as the name...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans |
Searching for ways to make your denim jeans last longer? If you are reading this, I’m assuming the answer is yes. A typical pair of high-quality denim jeans should last between 2-3 years, more so if you take care of them. But failure to properly care for your jeans will greatly shorten their life expectancy. Choose Quality Over Quantity Sure, the allure of scoring a pair of jeans for $9 bucks may sound enticing, but this is one instance in which the mantra “you get what you pay for” holds true. Cheap jeans are often made with cheap fabrics and poor craftsmanship, increasing the risk of damage and wear. If you’re looking for jeans that will last, choose quality over quantity. A pair of high-quality jeans may cost more, but they will last longer as well, making them worth the investment. Wash Your Jeans Inside Out When washing your denim jeans, try to get into the habit of pulling them inside out first. Doing so will protect the exterior of your jeans — the part that’s most visible — from fading, as well as wear and tear from the washing machine. It only takes a couple seconds to flip your jeans inside out, but it can make a world of difference in preserving their appearance. Spot Clean Minor Stains Clean minor stains by “spot cleaning” them with water and detergent. Rather than washing your jeans in the washing machine, which will further wear down the fabric, simply clean the stained area with warm water and detergent. The secret to spot cleaning jeans (or most garments for that matter) is...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans |
Still struggling to find the perfect holiday gift for a friend or a family member? Why not give the gift that keeps on giving: jeans! Check out the following five reasons why jeans make the perfect gift for the holidays. Everyone Wears Jeans While no two people have the exact same taste when it comes to fashion, everyone wears jeans. In fact, studies have shown jeans to be the most popular type of pants among both men and women. So by giving jeans this holiday season, you don’t have to worry about the recipient storing them in the attic or basement, because chances are they will be worn on a regular basis. Jeans are Long-Lasting Another reason why jeans make the perfect holiday gift is because they are long lasting. Store gift cards, gourmet food or other perishable items are often forgotten about. Jeans, however, can be worn for years, and each time the recipient wears them, he or she will think of you. They Encourage Physical Activity According to researchers at the University of Wisconsin, workers who wear jeans make roughly 600 more steps in a typical day than workers who wear some other type of pants. By giving jeans this holiday season, you’ll encourage the recipient to increase his or her physical activity, which in turn promotes better health — and that’s something we can all use after feasting on a home-cooked holiday meal. They are Easy to Wrap Other gifts, particularly those with an awkward shape, can be difficult and time-consuming to wrap, but thankfully this isn’t a problem with jeans. When it comes to wrap...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans |
It’s no secret that machine washing can take a toll on denim, wearing down the fabric while fading its color in the process. This typically doesn’t happen after a single wash, but rather months or years of machine washing your jeans will eventually affect its appearance. This has prompted many people to seek alternative methods for washing their jeans, including freezing them. So, does freezing really kill germs and make denim clean? The belief behind this idea is that extreme cold temperatures will destroy bacteria and other potentially harmful germs lingering on the surface of the jeans. But going back to the basics of high-school biology, freezing typically only disables germs for a short period of time. When they “thaw” and warm, the germs are active once again; thus, rendering this method virtually useless. As noted by CNN, jean freezing has become a craze in recent years, with many people publishing their own video tutorials on YouTube. “Jean freezing has become quite the craze in the past few years. It even comes with its own video tutorials and folding techniques posted online by bloggers around the country,” wrote CNN in an article about this new phenomenon. Rather than freezing your jeans, a more effective solution is to bake them in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Science has debunked the theory that freezing jeans will kill odor-causing germs. However, studies have shown that baking jeans at 250 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will kill these germs. With that said, you should use caution anytime you bake fabric, as setting the heat too high could spark a fire. Ultimately, the safest...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, Fashion, jeans |
Faded denim has become a popular style of jeans worn by both men and women. While some people prefer the classic look of dark indigo, others prefer the vintage look of faded denim. Rather than waiting several years for your jeans to naturally fade, you can purchase them with special fake marks. However, there are several different types of fade marks that you need to be aware of. Honeycombs Honeycomb fade marks (also known as “comb” marks) live up to their namesake by featuring honeycomb-shaped areas of fading, which are typically found behind the knees. It’s a small, subtle amount of fading that’s not overbearing. This makes it a popular choice for people who intend to wear the jeans for semi-formal purposes. Whiskers Another common type of fade mark used in denim jeans is the whisker. These marks are longer and usually spider off from one another. You’ll typically find whisker fade marks on the waist and crotch of denim jeans, although some brands use them in the thighs and knees as well. Whisker fade marks are prominent than honeycombs, so take this into account when shopping for faded denim jeans. Stacks Stack fade marks are usually created by hemming the inseam of denim jeans just a couple inches longer than the leg. This extra denim is then stacked over the shoe, forming an area that’s visibly lighter on the ankle as opposed to the rest of the pants. Train Tracks Last but not least, train tracks, which as you may have guessed looks like train tracks. The fading enhancing the selvage of denim by creating two sets of...
