MEET DENIM
FROM:
Traditionally made from 100% cotton. Can be enhanced by blending with for example: polyester or elastane.
IS IT SUSTAINABLE?
Can be if 100% cotton.
IS IT DURABLE?
Yes.
IS IT BREATHABLE?
Can be if 100% cotton.
IS IT WARM?
No.
HISTORY
The fabric that would later be known as denim originated in the city of Nîmes, France, in the 17th century. It was initially called “serge de Nîmes,” which eventually evolved into the term “denim.” Its durability and resistance to wear, made it the go-to choice for hardworking folks like laborers and miners who needed rugged pants and overalls.
Fast forward to the mid-19th century, where the tale of denim took a new turn. A crafty German immigrant named Levi Strauss joined forces with the talented tailor, Jacob Davis. Together, they created a masterpiece – workwear pants made from denim. They added shiny copper rivets to reinforce stress points, and voilà! Blue jeans were officially born in 1873, becoming an instant hit!
But the denim story didn’t end there. It kept evolving. In the 20th century, denim made its way from workwear to fashion royalty. It became THE go-to choice for casual and everyday wear, taking the fashion world by storm. From classic blue to edgy distressed, stone-washed, and even designer jeans, denim kept surprising us with its endless style possibilities.
And guess what? Denim knows no borders! It’s a true global sensation, loved by folks of all ages and backgrounds. From the American West, cowboys to rebellious youth culture.
PRODUCTION PROCESS:
So how did they make your favourite blue jeans?
The cotton fibers go through a spinning process, where they are cleaned, carded, and drawn to create yarns of the desired thickness and strength. The yarns are then dyed using indigo dye, which gives the fabric its characteristic blue color. The dyeing process can be done using various techniques, like rope dyeing or slasher dyeing.
The dyed yarns are wound onto a large beam in parallel to create warp beams. These warp beams are then sized to add strength and smoothness to the yarns. The warp beams are placed on a loom, and the weft yarn is inserted horizontally, creating the interlaced pattern that forms the fabric. This weaving process uses a twill weave, which gives it its diagonal ribbing pattern.
After weaving, the denim fabric undergoes various finishing processes to achieve the desired appearance and characteristics. This may include processes such as washing, sanding, or distressing to create different finishes like stone-washed or distressed denim. The finished denim fabric is then cut into pattern pieces based on the desired garment or product. These pieces are sewn together to create jeans, jackets, or other denim items.
Once the garments are sewn, they may undergo additional washing and finishing processes to add softness, improve fit, and create specific aesthetic effects.
And there you go!
