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    Discover our "What Is?" section to learn more about denim!

    Random questions to which you seek an answer

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    • UnTuckedU
      UnTucked
      Joined:

      A series of questions that might strum up quite a bit of commotion or conversation:

      Is selvedge denim inherently "better" than non-selvedge denim? Does it actually make for a better product in the sense of "stronger denim", or a stronger end item (The finished pair of jeans)? There's the argument that using the selvedge keeps the end of the denim for the outer leg seam sealed, so it won't fray, but, isn't the stitch used for the out seam inferior construction anyway, compared to a felled seam? It seems to me that if it were about quality/quality of construction, a felled seam would be used on the inner and outer seams (Like with all of the IH work pants*), regardless of the fabric being selvedge or non-selvedge.

      *Particularly, I would like to point out that the fabric used for the IH-704 and IH-714 is a selvedge fabric, as seen on the fly detail, but there is no selvedge detail showing on the outer leg seam.

      In search of:
      IHV-04, med.
      IHSH-185, large
      IHSH-186, large (khaki, and green)

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • GilesG
        Giles
        IHUK Crew
        Joined:

        There's some seriously crap selvedge denim and some seriously brilliant non-selvedge denim out there.  Haraki's first Iron Heart jeans were the IH-634, made out of non-selvedge 21oz denim.  Haraki would argue that he can make a better cut using non-selvedge because the constraint of a straight outseam is removed….Though of course, as you suggest, he could fell the seams.......

        "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • UnTuckedU
          UnTucked
          Joined:

          @Giles:

          There's some seriously crap selvedge denim and some seriously brilliant non-selvedge denim out there.  Haraki's first Iron Heart jeans were the IH-634, made out of non-selvedge 21oz denim.  Haraki would argue that he can make a better cut using non-selvedge because the constraint of a straight outseam is removed….Though of course, as you suggest, he could fell the seams.......

          So, in the case of IH and the 634 vs 634S, is there any REAL incentive to getting the 634S, aside form the selvedge "badge of honor"? Though they aren't identical, I imagine they're both damn good denims, and that both jeans are made to the same standards of construction.

          In search of:
          IHV-04, med.
          IHSH-185, large
          IHSH-186, large (khaki, and green)

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • neph93N
            neph93
            見習いボス
            Joined:

            About two years ago I worked out that the hand of the fabric was more important to me than selvedge ID. The realisation started when I got my 666D and was fully realised when I got my 714's (which are selvedge but only have the detail in the fly, not the outseam).

            That being said I enjoy the aesthetic of the selvedge ID, but far more so on shirts and jackets now. The selvedge cuff and side seam gussets on the IHSH-67, 118 and 119 are all sublime details, and the selvedge seam on interior of the 13oz riders jacket (which is an absolute bargain in the outlet btw) is so very, very, pretty.

            «Stevie Heighway on the wing!
            We had dreams, and songs to sing…»

            • Dame Vera Lynn
            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • UnTuckedU
              UnTucked
              Joined:

              The "hand" is very important for me, especially the slubby stuff… I personally am IN LOVE with pretty much anything by PBJ... Their cuts are just either too slim, or too relaxed. A dream jean for me would be PBJ fabric, with an IH cut/construction. I would drop money on that without even thinking about it.

              In search of:
              IHV-04, med.
              IHSH-185, large
              IHSH-186, large (khaki, and green)

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • gaseousclayG
                gaseousclay
                Joined:

                @UnTucked:

                The "hand" is very important for me, especially the slubby stuff… I personally am IN LOVE with pretty much anything by PBJ... Their cuts are just either too slim, or too relaxed. A dream jean for me would be PBJ fabric, with an IH cut/construction. I would drop money on that without even thinking about it.

                I don't own any PBJ jeans but I agree that they would excel as a brand if their fits were like IH. Every fit chart i've looked at simply doesn't work for me – either the thighs/knees are too slim, or the hem is too big (in relation to the thighs/knees). If they had denim with consistent fits like IH i'd buy their jeans. Right now I have the houndstooth type 2 and the deep indigo type 2, both of which are cut kinda weird.

                WTB:
                IHSH-129 size L (blue)
                IHSH-19

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • J
                  Jett129
                  見習いボス
                  Joined:

                  Earlier,today,I asked for my jeans to be hemmed with a different color,and G sent me an email wanting to know if I wanted needle and bobbin,or just bobbin.I'm embarrassed to say,I had absolutely no idea as to what he was talking about, or what the ramifications of my answer could be. I asked him to take care of it,as he thought best, which he did. Can someone,or G, please explain. Thanks!

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • ChrisC
                    Chris
                    Raw and Unwashed
                    Joined:

                    In a standard sewing machine, there are two threads. The top thread, which runs through the needle, is the one seen on the outside of your jeans. The bobbin, a small spool in the bed of the machine, holds the thread that is seen on the inside of your jeans.

                    In this illustration, you can see the way it all works.  The needle thread is the green one on top, the bobbin thread is the blue one on bottom.

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • ChrisC
                      Chris
                      Raw and Unwashed
                      Joined:

                      I should mention that a Union Special 43200G, which is what Giles uses for chainstitch hemming, works slightly differently from a technical perspective, but the practical impact is the same, just to be pedantic and more annoying than usual…

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • J
                        Jett129
                        見習いボス
                        Joined:

                        Is there any reason,or advantage to having the bobbin thread a different color?

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • ChrisC
                          Chris
                          Raw and Unwashed
                          Joined:

                          Purely cosmetic.

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • NomadN
                            Nomad
                            Raw and Unwashed
                            Joined:

                            Does anyone know where to get viberg or similar quality leather boot laces in the uk? (preferably)

                            Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • GilesG
                              Giles
                              IHUK Crew
                              Joined:

                              https://www.ironheart.co.uk/boots-accessories/

                              "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • NomadN
                                Nomad
                                Raw and Unwashed
                                Joined:

                                hangs head in shame and adds to cart
                                Cheers!

                                Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • SeulS
                                  Seul
                                  Joined:

                                  The Wesco laces are superior to Viberg ones btw…

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • J
                                    jdl1279
                                    Joined:

                                    I would say Wesco's leather laces are the best readily available

                                    Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • BloodnThunderB
                                      BloodnThunder
                                      Raw and Unwashed
                                      Joined:

                                      I would agree.  Mine have been through the ringer and the leather is still holding up phenomenally.  Mine are currently in a pair of Red Wings and I fear they may outlast the boots themselves.

                                      IG: Shadesofindig0

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • SreeniS
                                        Sreeni
                                        Joined:

                                        I've been googling this for sometime now. Does anyone know the kind of cotton Cone Mills uses for their natural indigo fabric? Is it supima?

                                        Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • BloodnThunderB
                                          BloodnThunder
                                          Raw and Unwashed
                                          Joined:

                                          That would be my guess.  Definitely American grown cotton so Supima would most likely be it.  Of all the brands using it none that I have seen actually reference the type though.

                                          IG: Shadesofindig0

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • SreeniS
                                            Sreeni
                                            Joined:

                                            I need something from cone mills anyway. Supima would be an added reason.

                                            Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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