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Post by drstrange on Oct 21, 2014 13:38:17 GMT -6
Dear friends
ok ok I am completely new to raw denim so probably pretty unskilled yet .....
here is my problem:
I remember having read somewhere to soak your new raw trousers in cold water in order to wash out some of the starch in order to increase longevity ....
now I have worn my new Gustin Classic16 (my introduction to quality denim ...) once (which went quite ok) then soaked them for say 30min with cold water in the bathtub, then dried them .... result: the trousers are stiff like wood now (much much stiffer than before) ..... as I soaked them left-handed (inside out) I am even scared of turning them
Q1: did I do anything wrong?
Q2: any suggestions in fixing the problem, i.e. getting them at least as sleek as before
Q3: should the starch be washed out at all?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 13:45:15 GMT -6
those that do an initial soak (myself included) usually soak for an hour or two. you didn't do anything incorrect, just a shorter soak than some.
the denim will pretty much always be super stiff after that soak...combination of the remaining starch and some shrink causing the weave to tighten up a wee bit. that stiffness will typically dissipate after a wear or two.
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Post by ickes on Oct 21, 2014 13:50:45 GMT -6
as david said, you didn't do anything wrong at all. The stiffness is completely normal and will go away after some wears. Just put those puppies on and start wearing them.
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Post by drstrange on Oct 21, 2014 14:02:49 GMT -6
thanks david & ickes for your kind reply ... I feel quite relieved .....
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Post by exophobe on Oct 21, 2014 15:48:16 GMT -6
as david said, you didn't do anything wrong at all. The stiffness is completely normal and will go away after some wears. Just put those puppies on and start wearing them. Well, turn them right-side out first, then wear them.  |
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Post by exophobe on Oct 21, 2014 15:59:36 GMT -6
as david said, you didn't do anything wrong at all. The stiffness is completely normal and will go away after some wears. Just put those puppies on and start wearing them. Well, turn them right-side out first, then wear them. Isn't the "selvedge id" on these a strip of fabric sewn about 8-12 inches up the inseam, or is it actually selvedge denim? |
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Post by exophobe on Oct 21, 2014 21:33:27 GMT -6
Wow. Dunno what happened there, that was supposed to end up on the uniqlo post someone had earlier.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 3:08:21 GMT -6
After you soak it, it's not "raw"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 9:06:47 GMT -6
After you soak it, it's not "raw" To me that is the best thing about raw denim...they are yours. Each persons method of soak, don't soak, wash, wear, hang, work in, stuff in the pockets...all create a unique experience to that owner. I'd say that as long as you didn't burn them in a fire and they still fit, that there really isn't a 'wrong' (though there is probably a butt-ugly) |
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Post by julian on Oct 22, 2014 9:34:18 GMT -6
I'd say that as long as you didn't burn them in a fire and they still fit, that there really isn't a 'wrong' Hey, don't knock the 'Arthur Brown wash' |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 9:41:59 GMT -6
After you soak it, it's not "raw" To me that is the best thing about raw denim...they are yours. Each persons method of soak, don't soak, wash, wear, hang, work in, stuff in the pockets...all create a unique experience to that owner. I'd say that as long as you didn't burn them in a fire and they still fit, that there really isn't a 'wrong' (though there is probably a butt-ugly) I wasn't saying anyone's methodology was wrong, only terminology. It's only "raw denim" up until that first wash or soak. After that you have "The Denim Formerly Known as Raw" |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 9:44:02 GMT -6
@untucked didn't mean to imply you had, was only using it as a springboard to relay a benefit of the raw denim to drstrange |
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Post by drstrange on Oct 22, 2014 15:04:18 GMT -6
well, I got it ... perhaps I might abstain from soaking my next pair ....
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 23:50:38 GMT -6
After you deal with a few pairs of raws in different fabrics, you'll be able to better judge the benefit or demerit of soaking a particular pair. Different weights and textures will respond differently. I *normally* don't pre-soak, but a couple of pairs i have i felt that the raw state was holding back the overall potential of the fabric. That's why companies like PBJ offer certain fabrics in raw or "once washed" as a completed product.
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