Does everyone know what denim is? How did his story begin? Features of production? Pros and cons?
Denim is a coarse, dense twill weave material made from cotton raw materials of the highest class, this is denim (DENIM).
Translated from French, serge de Nîmes means “fabric from Nimes.” It was from her that Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis sewed the first classic jeans. Solid trousers were created, first of all, for gold diggers, workers from sugar plantations and cowboys.
Today, denim is used to sew trousers, hats, service jackets, vests, shirts, shorts, dresses, etc.
How denim is made
The fabric is sewn on the principle of a twill weave: the main thread dips under every third thread of the weft. Its distinctive feature is the blue color typical of jeans. To achieve black, manufacturers used sulfur-based dyes. The seamy side of the canvas is always white. Usually lycra or elastane is added to it to increase strength and resistance to wear.
Right – the diagonal of the picture is directed to the lower left corner to the upper right. The so-called classic denim.
Left – with this weave, the fabric of jeans turns out to be softer and smoother.
Herringbone – the surface of the material looks like a zigzag. As with the left-hand weave, the fabric becomes smoother.
Denim is based on cotton. Most often, high-quality denim products are made from raw materials grown in the USA, Egypt and Mexico (Gossypium barbadense, Upland cotton, Extra Long Staple). The fiber length of such cotton varies from 2.5 cm to 7 cm. Cheaper cotton is obtained in Asia, India and Zimbabwe.
High-quality denim products are necessarily rolled between two very hot rolls. So the manufacturer prevents strong shrinkage of things after washing.
Manufacturers of cheap cotton garments add cellulose fibers to increase the wear resistance of the material.
The color intensity of the material depends directly on the number of dipping into the bowl with the dye and subsequent drying.
Denim fabric properties
Denim is an incredibly durable material. Its density is measured in ounces (you may have seen its designation “oz” on the tags):
Lightweight Denim – 5 to 12 oz. Lightweight stretch fabric. Comfortable to wear, does not restrict movement.
Medium denim – 12 to 15 oz. The most common denim. Comfortable to wear in cool and warm weather. Differs in its versatility.
High Density Denim – Over 15 oz. A very dense, durable and wear-resistant fabric. Warm, not afraid of severe cold. Not suitable for everyone, it hinders movement a little when worn.
Denim is highly absorbent and moisture-retaining. Does not fade, retains the dye for a very long time. It cannot be called “stuffy”, the material breathes perfectly even in the hottest weather. It protects the skin from overheating and reduces the intensity of perspiration. Pure cotton is at the heart of any quality denim. But often we are faced with mixed compositions of raw materials:
Lycra, polyester and nylon lend elasticity and lightness to the fabric.
Polyester increases the durability of cotton fibers. Prevents the material from stretching.
Cellulose adds strength.
Elastane is used for sewing tight-fitting trousers.
How to care for denim
At the end of the last century, denim was washed in cold water, and laundry soap was used as a powder. Thanks to this, the material retained its original shape. In 2020, this material can simply be thrown into the washing machine, observing some rules:
Separated from other clothing.
At a temperature of no more than 40 ° C in a gentle mode.
Spin at low speeds.
Unscrew the garment before washing, close the zippers and buttons.
Do not use bleaches or chemically aggressive substances.
When washing by hand, it is not recommended to listen to the product with twisting. It is better to let the product dry on its own. And when it is slightly damp, stretch to the desired shape. Ironing is also recommended at low temperatures.
