by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans |
Should you air-dry (AKA line-dry) your denim jeans, or should you place them in the clothes dryer? This age-old question has been around for years, with some people believing that air-drying is the best way to dry jeans, whereas others believe that machine-drying delivers better results. While they can both be used to effectively dry jeans, there are some key differences between these two methods. Protection Against Fading One of the benefits of air-drying your denim jeans is the protection it offers against fading. Like all fabrics, denim will naturally fade over time. This isn’t something that happens overnight, but wearing jeans for months or even years will inevitably cause it to fade. The once dark indigo color may now resemble more of a light blue. The good news is that fading shouldn’t affect the structural integrity of your jeans. The bad news is that it will affect how the jeans the look; many people prefer the look of dark jeans. Air-drying your jeans will help protect them against fading. When jeans are placed in a machine dryer, the constant back-and-forth beating may cause them to fade. So if you are worried about your jeans fading, try to get into the habit of air-drying them instead. Scent A lesser-known benefit of air-drying jeans is the aromatic scent it offers, assuming you dry them outside and not inside. The combination of fresh air and sunshine will leave your jeans with a pleasant aroma. It’s not overwhelming by any means, but rather it’s just enough to make them a little more enjoyable to wear. Don’t take my word for it, though,...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans |
No matter how hard you try to prevent it, your jeans will inevitably attract dirt and stains. Whether it’s spilled coffee, ketchup, mud, or just plain old dirt, you’ll have to wash your jeans at some point in time. Many people avoid washing denim, fearing it will shrink or degrade the fabric. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to wash jeans — and we’re going to reveal the right way. Turn ‘Em Inside Out Try to get into the habit of turning your jeans inside out before placing them in the washing machine. The outer fabric is more susceptible to fading and damage caused by a washing machine, so flipping them inside out will naturally protect them. This alone will go a long ways in protecting your jeans from damage. Use The Cold Water Setting It’s a common assumption that warm or hot water is more effective at cleaning stains than cold water. Granted, it may be slightly more effective, but the difference is nominal at best. Hot water will, however, promote fading, turning dark indigo jeans into a lighter color. To preserve the original color of your jeans, set you washing machine to the coldest setting possible. It will clean them just as well, but cold water doesn’t have the same color-fading effects as hot or warm water. Use The Lightest Setting We talked about this in a previous blog post, but it’s worth mentioning again that denim jeans should be washed on the lightest setting possible. Heavy or even medium settings can yield a little too much power, contributing to the wear and tear...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans |
According to some fashion experts, the answer is yes. So, what in the world are frayed jeans and are they really becoming popular? Frayed jeans are exactly what they sound like: denim jeans that have been frayed at the bottom. It’s not uncommon for jeans to naturally fray at the ends after years of use and wear. If your jeans touch the ground when you wear them, chances are they’ll eventually fray. Depending on the severity of the fraying, however, the denim fabric may continue to unravel to the point where the jeans are no longer salvageable. It appears now, however, that men and women are intentionally fraying their jeans as a fashion statement. Frayed jeans offer a fun alternative to traditional jeans, adding a unique element that really draws attention to the wearer’s appearance. But like most fashion statements, there’s a wrong way and a right way to sport a pair of frayed jeans. Surprisingly, frayed jeans aren’t a new trend. According to the style experts at Philly.com, they’ve been around since the 1980s, with Donnie Wahlberg wearing them on the cover of his album. Fast forward to the 200s and premium, clean-cut denim began to take hold. While premium denim is still a popular choice by many men and women, some fashion-forward individuals are looking to revive the classic look of frayed jeans. But if you’re thinking about rocking a pair of frayed jeans for first time in decades, there are a few things you should know. Avoid Light Colors Stick with dark indigo or even black frayed jeans. Why is this important? Well, light colors blend...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans |
With the summer season officially here, you’ll probably be wearing more shorts and fewer full-length pants. There’s nothing wrong with full-length pants, but most people will agree that shorts are cooler and more comfortable to wear during the summertime heat. If your wardrobe lacks shorts, you might be surprised to learn that you can turn any pair of old jeans into shorts. It’s relatively simple and straightforward, requiring just a few basic tools and a little bit of your time. Before we start, it’s important to note that you should only attempt this with jeans that you no loner want or intend to wear. I don’t recommend cutting up your favorite pair of denim, simply because there’s always the possibility of destroying them in the process. If you happen to cut too far or make a cut in the wrong area, it could leave you without jeans or shorts. The bottom line is that you should only attempt this process with jeans that no longer fit, are faded, or that you simply don’t plan on wearing again. Once you’ve found a pair of jeans that you’d like to turn into shorts, go ahead and put them on. Next, mark or pin the area at which you would like the shorts to stop. Generally speaking, men prefer longer shorts that extend to their knees, whereas women prefer shorter shorts that stop before the knees. Of course, this is a personal preference, and only you can decide the length of your shorts. Mark the desired length on your jeans and proceed to the next step. Now remove your jeans and place...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | custom fit jeans, jeans |
Can’t seem to fit into your favorite pair of denim jeans? Over time, denim will shrink due to the constant washing, drying and wearing it sees. So just because a pair of jeans fit perfectly today doesn’t necessarily mean they will six months from now. If they are become too small to comfortably wear, however, you can often stretch them out by following the tips listed below. Waistband Stretcher You might be surprised to learn that there are devices made specifically for stretching the waists of pants. Known as a “waistband stretcher,” it’s a small metal device that’s placed inside the waist of a pair of pants. When you turn a knob, it pushes the waist outwards; thus, stretching it. Using a waistband stretcher is a simple and effective way to stretch out your jeans, although you should proceed with caution, as stretching them too much may cause the fabric to break. Wear Them When Exercising If you don’t feel like messing with a waistband stretcher, you can always stretch out your jeans by exercising in them. The next time you’re sitting around the house bored, put on your shrunken jeans and perform some lunges. It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but lunges will stretch out your jeans so they fit a little easier in the future. Unfortunately, this method is a bit time-consuming (and laborious). Unless you exercise in your jeans several times a week, this probably isn’t going to work. Spray With Warm Water Many people have reported success stretching out jeans by spraying them with warm water. How exactly does this work? Well, the...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, jeans |
Let’s face it, stiff jeans are downright uncomfortable to wear! It can make doing otherwise simple tasks like walking difficult and uncomfortable, as it restricts your body’s normal range of motion. But denim is supposed to be stiff, right? Wrong. While denim has a certain level of strength and durability that’s not found in other materials, it should also be soft and comfortable to wear. So, what causes stiff jeans and how can you prevent/fix it? Poor Quality Denim All denim is not made equally. Some denim is made with higher quality cotton-twill and better craftsmanship than others, which usually means a more comfortable fit. This is why it’s a good idea to spend the extra money by investing in a pair of premium denim jeans instead of just another cheap pair that will degrade after a couple of wears. You may have to pay a little more for premium jeans, but it’s a smart investment that will pay off in the long run. Hot Drying Did you use the high-heat seating on your clothes dryer when drying your jeans? If so, this could be the reason why they are stiff. Denim — like most fabrics — is sensitive to heat. When exposed to high heat, the fibers will shrink, remaining in a semi-constricted state that creates the perception of stiff jeans. I recommend drying your jeans on either the tumble dry or low-heat setting to prevent this from occurring. Wrong Detergent Use caution when choosing a detergent, especially if you are going to use it to wash jeans. Some of the cheaper brands of detergent contain harsh chemicals...
