Denim Prep
I love starting new projects.
Raw denim, rolled out and inspected.
Tossed in the tub for a soak. I feel bad holding it under the water against its will.
Hung out to dry in the sun.
Rolled back up, ready to cut.
In case you missed it, here is a little interview I did with Peter from Male Pattern Boldness about denim and making jeans.
posted May 13, 2011 by Taylor Hackbarth
Lisa — May 13, 2011 @ 11:10 am
Hi Taylor! Is there a reason you don’t wash the denim in a washing machine (outside of the fact that it may be too long for your machine)?
P.S. I really like your blog and new sewing supply site. You are VERY talented for someone so new to sewing!
Taylor — May 13, 2011 @ 12:17 pm
Thanks Lisa! I like to preserve as much of the dark indigo color as possible, and think that a static soak might be better than the continuous churning of a washing machine. I put everything else except raw denim in the washing machine.
Taylor
Johann — May 17, 2011 @ 10:47 am
Taylor,
Do you wash your jeans once you’ve made them? I’ve read how the selvedge denim enthusiasts wash them every 6 months or something crazy like that. It just sounds so disgusting.
Ms. McCall — October 22, 2014 @ 1:52 pm
Hi Taylor! I’m sorry that this is a question on such an old post, but I’m wondering if you soak the denim to get some of the shrinkage out, or if there’s some other reason? I know denim enthusiasts don’t like to wash their jeans very often, but I do plan to wash mine I think. I’m wondering if your wife’s jeans have shrunk much and if that’s affected the fit. Thanks!
Taylor — October 24, 2014 @ 4:08 pm
Hi Ms. McCall! I soaked this piece of denim because I made a pair of jeans for my wife, and she wanted the denim to be softer. Soaking it does remove some of the starch/sizing, and makes it a little softer.
I don’t soak the denim (or even wash it) before making a pair of jeans for myself. I wash my jeans, but when I do so, I soak them in cold water, and I never put them in the dryer. As a result, I never worry about shrinkage. If you think you will wash your jeans in hot/warm water, or ever put them in the dryer, then I would definitely prepare the raw denim that way before you cut into it, otherwise I think it could shrink a fair amount.
Ms. McCall — October 26, 2014 @ 2:09 pm
Great to know – thank you! I am going to wash them, but I live in a warm place, so cold water washing / air drying should be no problem for me. I’m still considering making them a little roomy to account for a little shrinkage, but hopefully it won’t be too much. Thanks again!