Levi's 501 Raw (Shrink-to-Fit)

[GWHiZiTSPHiL]

Before I start, I'd like to say that I did search through the forums pointlessly not being able to find answers to my questions.

I'm feeling the whole raw denim thing lately and haven't owned a pair since I was a kid (implying I don't really know how to treat it). I like the whole idea of breaking into the jeans yourself and giving it it's own, personal look.

Well yesterday I was at the Levi's Store in South Coast and bought the 501 Raw Shrink-to-Fit. I know it's not the best fabric to get, but it is raw denim that shrinks. What I need to know is,

what advice can you give to someone who's trying out raw denim for the first time? I know only very little about treating it (wash in cold, wear a lot before washing), but I don't know anything else. How often should I wear my jeans before its first wash? How often should I wash it? What's soak, then wear 'till dry?

 

[ang_kangkong]

Here's something from the other SF. They've got a butt-load and then some, of info.

http://supertalk.superfuture.com/showthread.php?t=12729

 

[GWHiZiTSPHiL]

In the 501 Shrink to Fit Definitive Collection Thread (http://supertalk.superfuture.com/showthread.php?t=12464) all the links don't work.

 

[mendel]

Originally Posted by GWHiZiTSPHiL

In the 501 Shrink to Fit Definitive Collection Thread (http://supertalk.superfuture.com/showthread.php?t=12464) all the links don't work.

They link to the old forum location. If you see a URL like

http://superfuture.com/city/supertalk/showthread.php?t=12345

then go to

http://supertalk.superfuture.com/showthread.php?t=12345

 

[GWHiZiTSPHiL]

i did a super shrink. washed in warm/warm for 46 minutes then soaked in warm water for 30 minutes with sea salt for starching. i'll post pics later today!

 

[ang_kangkong]

Do you mean you put it in the washing machine for 45 minutes? Also, you mean you used sea salt in the second soak and not in the starch, right? You use liquid starch or starch in a bottle for that.

Hope you did the soak and especially the wash inside out.

Awaiting updates.

 

[GWHiZiTSPHiL]

yes i washed it inside out and did the soak with sea salt. i loved the way the honeycombs and whiskers turned out.

only problem is there seems to be a sort of bulge (kind of like my patella of the knee extends) on my knees which makes it look awkward. i think it was from driving around 35 minutes while i was doing the soak and wear till dry. anyone else have this problem?

 

[Brian SD]

Originally Posted by GWHiZiTSPHiL

yes i washed it inside out and did the soak with sea salt. i loved the way the honeycombs and whiskers turned out.

only problem is there seems to be a sort of bulge (kind of like my patella of the knee extends) on my knees which makes it look awkward. i think it was from driving around 35 minutes while i was doing the soak and wear till dry. anyone else have this problem?

It will eventually sag down and become floppy and it will stop sticking out. Everyone has this problem.

 

[GWHiZiTSPHiL]

any tips from here on out? should i was them vigorously, not was them at all? i really want a softer feel to them.