Denim & Jeans

Find out all about Jeans, Denim or Denim

• Particularly strong, notched cotton fabric.
• Denim is a durable fabric with a long lifespan.
• Choice of both stretch and non-stretch denim fabrics.
• Fairly easy to maintain.

What is denim or denim fabric?

Traditionally, denim was used for workwear because of its abrasion resistance. At that time, denim was still very stiff and not comfortable for everyday use. Denim was then made from canvas. Today, denim is made from cotton and omen and more and more materials and compositions with it. Special techniques are also used that make denim increasingly softer and can be used as a fabric for everyday garments. If you want extra comfort, you can even choose an elastic denim fabric.

Different types of denim

The most commonly seen color for denim is blue, from light to dark blue. But there denim fabric also comes in a variety of other colors such as white, ochre and with prints. In addition, there are different qualities of denim.

A basic quality of Textile City is the stretch jeans. With a mix of cotton, polyester and elastic threads, this is a very fine denim with enough stretch that we have in stock in different colors.

The Tencel jeans are made of 100% viscose and therefore not stretchy. Tencel is a natural material. These Tencel jeans are airy and have a supple fall which makes it a very suitable fabric for spring and summer.
The combination of cotton and polyester with elastic yarns makes the knitted denim wonderfully soft and supple. This denim is knitted instead of woven.
The heavy denim in 100% cotton comes directly from the weaving mill. This fabric is untreated, i.e. not washed or bleached and therefore suitable for a traditional jeansoutift. This denim is not stretchy.

The properties of jeans fabric

Jeans fabric often contains a large portion of cotton fibers. Often a portion of polyester or elastic yarns is added to create some degree of stretch which usually provides greater comfort. Fabrics with elastic yarns retain their shape longer and move better with the person wearing them. A pair of jeans without elastic yarns can be quite stiff when you've just bought them, but as you wash and wear them, the fabric becomes increasingly flexible. It depends on what you are going to do with the denim what degree of stretch you need.
With frequent use, the fabric will start to show signs of wear, for example, the fabric becomes thinner and lighter in color in certain areas such as elbows and knees. Whereas with other fabrics this is seen as a negative, this gives denim a tough look and makes your garment extra personal. A good denim fabric can last a lifetime if you take good care of it.

How do you process denim or denim fabric?

Cutting

Most denim fabrics are easy to cut, although they fray quickly. We therefore recommend trimming the edges of the fabric with a zigzag stitch or an overlock machine. The thickness of the fabric may vary, with thicker denim it may take more strength to cut or trim, but with a good pair of scissors or a sharp rotary cutter you will certainly succeed. Cutting has the advantage of preventing snapping. If necessary, weight the fabric with weights so it will not slide while cutting or trimming.

Sewing

When sewing with denim, we recommend using a jeans needle. This is strong and sharp enough to move well through the fabric without breaking or bending. If you are going to work with a sturdy denim, it may be smart to use super-strong thread, this is more tear-resistant than regular all-purpose sewing thread. Just keep in mind that not every machine handles this sewing thread well and you can't use it in the bobbin.

How do you care for denim?

Wash

To keep your newly purchased denim fabric beautiful for as long as possible, we recommend washing it inside out at up to 30 degrees with equal colors. Also, wash the fabric before you process it, as it may shrink slightly the first time you wash it. If you wash your garment after this after putting it together with care, it will not shrink again. The exact washing instructions of all our denim fabrics can be found in the product information on the website.

Drying

Shake out your denim fabric well after washing and let it hang to dry. Preferably not over the washing line because the fabric will wrinkle there. Hang it as straight as possible with clothespins at the top or bottom. This way the fabric dries with as little wrinkling as possible.

Ironing

Jeans fabric can be ironed, but preferably not too hot. If you hang it straight after washing, ironing may not even be necessary, but stubborn wrinkles can certainly be addressed with an iron. Dry cleaning denim occasionally instead of washing and ironing also keeps it fresh.

Buying denim fabric?

Have you found a nice denim for your next project, and thought about a jeans needle, super-strength yarn and sharp scissors or knife? Then you're ready to order. If all products are in stock and you order by we'll make sure your package ships today. That way you can get started on your new fabrics quickly. Need help or advice? Then contact one of our customer advisors via email or phone.