(controlled) shrinking raw denim?

[bargecharge]

My APC english have stretched in the waist considerably since I first bought them, so much so that they're starting to look too big. I haven't washed them yet, but will soon, and wanted to see what was the best tactic to wash and shrink them (around 1") in the waist. The only rub is that the length is about perfect (I had them hemmed) - they could also shrink about an inch, but any more than that would be too much...

Any advice? I searched, but couldn't find much info.

Hot/cold wash? Dryer?

Thanks in advance.

[Serge d Nimes]

You could just soak the top half in Hot water and the rest in cold water.

Carpe Denim!

[XX]

i had a pair of shrink to fit jeans and had a similar problem

i just ran them through a hot wash and after they came out i stretched out the inseams and actually wore them til they were dry

if the waistband starts shrinking too much just stick something in between you and the jeans (like a rag)

if you dont want to wait for them to dry just speed up the waistband with a hairdryer and then take them off and let them dry in the sun....

Edited by XX on May 1, 2005 at 02:04 PM

[shinobi2000]

just out of curiosity, just how much did the waist stretch out? What was the original size and what do you think they are now? Thanks. I recently got an APC pair a while ago but I haven't really worn it enough and I'm wondering how big they will eventually get.

[Serge d Nimes]

I guess it makes sense to always wear a belt

Carpe Denim!

[bargecharge]

Shinobi - they were a 33, fit like a loose 34 (I'm a true 34), and I'd say now they fit like a loose 35...

Serge, xx, thanks for the replies...

[XX]

a belt is definitely the way to go.. right now im wearing some rigids that have stretched out slightly (1/2 to 1") but aside from throwing them in a dryer in their rigid state for 20-30 minutes, i wouldnt consider any other method of shrinking them..

[Geowu]

I don't like belts... because they're too much trouble... everytime opening and closing doesn't make sense... I prefer those back buckles

[superherox]

Hey guys, any idea how to get the raw denim to fade without shrinking?

Thanks!!