February 2006 Issue
In this months Issue:
How Much are Those Jeans?
Sewing for the Sewing-Challenged
Home Laundry Tip
Whether you call them dungarees, blue jeans or denims, the durable riveted pants once known as "waist overalls" have a fascinating history. Think about it: what other clothing or fabric has remained popular for more than 130 years?! Fads come and go, but jeans have traditionally been viewed as a low-cost wardrobe staple for generations.
The story goes that Levi Strauss, a Bavarian immigrant, came to San Francisco in the 1850's and discovered that miners seeking their fortune there desperately needed pants that would stand up to wear and tear. In particular, the pockets were constantly ripping. Working with tailor Jacob Davis, the pair created and patented riveted pants using a denim fabric. It's believed that the word "denim" comes from the French fabric "serge de Nimes." As for the term "jeans" its thought that it comes from the word "Genoese," a word used to describe sturdy pants worn by sailors from Genoa, Italy.
While they were first revered as durable work wear for miners and then cowboys, jeans have been in and out of fashion: In the '50s, they were the symbol of teenage rebellion..think James Dean. In the 60s, the hippies wore them ripped or decorated with embroidery, beads and patches. In the late '70s and '80s, designer jeans were all the rage... think of Jordache, not to mention Brooke Shield and her Calvins. We've seen bell-bottoms, high and low-rise, button-front, stonewashed, distressed, acid-washed, other colors besides the traditional blue, beaded, ripped and more.
What's the latest trend with jeans? If you've been in a department store lately or if you have teenagers in your life, you may be experiencing some sticker shock. While you can still buy reasonably priced jeans at many discount stores, it's not uncommon to see jeans priced from $150...and up! New designers have leapt into the fray, promising better fitting, form-flattering, haute couture styles. Add in decorations like 14 karat gold or silver rivets, diamond buttons or even Swarovski crystals, and watch the price rise. You can actually buy a pair of jeans starting at $7,500 from Escada. Yes, you read that correctly. And to think that in 1947, boys jeans sold for 85 cents a pair in the Sears catalogue!
Are Expensive Jeans Really Worth the Difference?
Some people swear by them; others say the difference is not substantial enough to make them worth it. Our best advice is to try them yourself and see!
One thing that remains the same: be careful when laundering jeans. They should be washed in the machine or by hand, in cold water (never hot, unless you want them to shrink dramatically) and never with lighter colored clothes. Jeans can be dried in the dryer at a low, cool setting. Jeans should not be bleached and they can be ironed; you can also dry clean them, especially if they have special decorations or are already "distressed" or "ripped" (on purpose!). Jeans will lose color over time and fade, no matter how you wash them.
Sewing for the Sewing-Challenged
Here's the good news: if a button is loose or falls off, here at Pressed4Time we're happy to fix it for you. So if you are sewing phobic or just never learned, there is help! Sewing on buttons, however, is probably a skill that everyone should-and can-learn. It's actually fairly simple and very useful. All you need is some thread, a needle, scissors and a straight pin.
If you never learned how to sew, or want to re-teach yourself this skill, we recommend the Internet! There are many sites, including www.ehow.com, www.tide.com and many more. You can even find on-line videos that will demonstrate this skill.
Still worried? One way to ensure that you won't have to sew on buttons is a quick and easy fix to do right after you buy a garment with buttons. Just dab a tiny bit of superglue right on the middle of each button, over the thread. Be careful not to drip any of the glue onto the fabric...you only need a drop.
Know someone who is sewing-challenged? Here's a sweetheart of a gift that will make them laugh...and be much appreciated!
* 1 spool of white thread and 1 spool of black thread * 1 packet of all-purpose needles (get the "self threading" kind) * 1 card with four-hole white shirt buttons * 1 package each of white and black Velcro strips * small pair of scissors * superglue
Home Laundry Tip
If you feel as though your washing machine or dryer isn't doing the job, here are some pointers!
* Don't overload either machine. They'll actually wash-and dry-better if there's room for circulation.
* Check items before putting them into the washing machine. Pre-treat grease or other stains, since many stains won't come out once they've been laundered or dried.
* Clean your machine every now and then. Pour a gallon of distilled vinegar into the washer and adjust the temperature to warm. Let the machine run through a wash and rinse cycle.
* Be sure to clean the dryer filter often. If you find damp lint, this may mean you have a clogged vent. Check the outside vents too, to make sure they're clear!