what kind of denim is this?

[a tailor]

its a medium weight. its perfectly flat and smooth with no diagonal rib.
help help

 

[Brian SD]

Sounds like it's not denim then? How about a picture or something?

Denim is by definition cotton twill. No diagonal rib (unless it's a zig-zag, indicative of broken twill) means it's not denim. There are indigo-dyed fabrics which are not denim...

 

[a tailor]

how can i tell if it is broken? it is indigo on the face but white on the back.

 

[Rome]

They sound like hevy cotton trousers, probably in a "jean cut" which could account for the confusion.

 

[ringring]

Originally Posted by Brian SD

Sounds like it's not denim then? How about a picture or something?

Denim is by definition cotton twill. No diagonal rib (unless it's a zig-zag, indicative of broken twill) means it's not denim. There are indigo-dyed fabrics which are not denim...

Denim is usually a twill weave. It's sometimes a broken twill weave (as Brian mentioned), and sometimes a plain weave (1x1). I've recently just seen a satin weave kurabo japan denim. Rare. Very. But still denim.

Denim is usually defined as a cotton (or cotton mix) fabric that has an indigo warp and plain (ecru) weft. Although blue-blue twills, such as the indigo warp & weft fabric that 45rpm is using, would also be grouped with denim.

 

[a tailor]

sorry i have not been too clear. this is not a jean its yard goods i make my own jeans. the surface yarns are indigo on the reverse the yarns are white. the face is flat and smooth the back has a smooth finish,with a diagonal weave.

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

it is very difficult to define denim! denim can be different weaves: satin, plain, lht, rht, 2x1, 3x1, broken... and different colors: indigo, black/indigo overdye, black, roygbiv... [we would say black jeans are made from denim, too, yes-----even though there may not be any indigo involved (as would be the case with the s5000bks, if i'm not mistaken)] we have to resort to "family resemblances" to determine if something is denim or not... i wonder how much a role the cut of a garment contributes to our classification of a fabric. if we see a 1x1 weave that has black warp and black weft on a pair of jeans, we would say it is denim, but if we saw that fabric on a coat-----we would call it canvas? the matter is confusing.

 

[a tailor]

is there someone who is knowledgeable about denim. someone that i can send a sample to. this is driving me up the wall.

 

[cultpop 0217]

some nice detailed pictures would be enough for ring ring, ddml, or some of us other denim minded people to make that call. sending a sample is not needed.

 

[Saucemaster]

Seriously, man, you drew out ringring. You have an incredible resource already! Post a pic if you can.

 

[LA Guy]

I didn't read this thread until now, and am quite intrigued. Could you please post some closeup shots of both sides of the material?

My guess, from your second post, is that it is just incredibly color saturated denim that is very tightly woven. The denim SPURR uses is like this. It is very tightly woven with fine yarn and a very dark weft thread, with the result being a material with a very smooth finish, that looks, even at close inspection, to be uniformly blue.

If the backside of the denim shows a diagonal weave, it is assuredly a twill. Compare it to a typical pair of jeans (usually they will be 3x1 RHT). If the backside shows the same angle and inclination, it is the same.

 

[cultpop 0217]

Originally Posted by a tailor

is there someone who is knowledgeable about denim. someone that i can send a sample to. this is driving me up the wall.

i actually just noticed you live in the chicago suburbs. i do too and would be intrestd in hearing/ seeing more about your jeans and/or denim. pm me.

 

[a tailor]

a photo of the jeans may not help as they are not commercialy made. i bought the yardage and made them myself. but i have half a yard left over. and could easly send samples to anyone. i am a retired tailor and new to the internet. i have placed drawings on the net. but dont know how to take photos of good enough quality and insert them on the net. i wonder about just placeing a sample in my printer.

 

[a tailor]

my printer put out a black square. no help there.

still wondering what it is.