IH-777S-142od - 14oz Selvedge Denim Super Slim Tapered Jeans - Overdyed Indigo

[newtoiron]

@goosehd Interesting... how long do I need to soak them before washing? Will hot dry do anything? Thank you.

[goosehd]

@newtoiron

1. I typically soak for about 30 minutes to make sure that they are thoroughly wet prior to washing.
2. A hot dry may tighten them up temporarily, but they will relax with wear.

[newtoiron]

@goosehd thanks so much. Any temperature matter? Lay flat or in a bucket? Also, just out of curiosity, how/why does soaking prevent the vertical fades (which I hate)? Thanks so much for all of your wisdom.

[don_pipone]

@newtoiron
30°C will do the job
Make sure to set the lowest possible spin cycle. I do mine at about 400s/m
Washing detergent for dark/black fabrics I‘d recommend to lower the risk for unwanted streaks even more.
Be cautious with hot drying as it can f**k up the leather patch if too hot.

[goosehd]

@newtoiron Here is a link to the care instructions here

By soaking beforehand, you are decreasing the possibility of dry denim rubbing against itself hopefully preventing unwanted marbling. It doesn’t matter how you soak, they just need to be soaked throughly.

As @don_pipone drying at too high of a temperature or for too long will cook your leather patch. Also the low spin/no spin is also essential to prevent unwanted marbling.

[goosehd]

@don_pipone Thank you for your excellent input! It is appreciated

[don_pipone]

@goosehd just want to keep others from doing the same mistakes I did back in the days. I learned it the hard way with the leather patch

[newtoiron]

@don_pipone @goosehd Thank you SO MUCH. I tried shrinking some RGT Stantons last year when I lost the first round of weight and they became marble madness... couldn't bear to to do that to my 777's. Honestly debating taking this path or bringing them to Railcar to alter. Doesn't sound like there's much chance from a dryer after the OD process. Does putting leather conditioned on after the dryer help with the leather patch?

[goosehd]

@newtoiron the trick is not to cook the patch in the first place. Don’t try to excessively dry them to get extra shrinkage. It’s not going to happen, you will cook the patch, and what ever shrinkage you do get will only be temporary. Conditioning the leather is a good idea and I do it on occasion. It will not bring back dried out leather. Once the damage is done, it can not be repaired.

I’m trying to save you some heartache…

The jeans stretch and there isn’t much you can do about it other than to accept it, or as you stated, take them to someone who can alter them.

[goosehd]

…and hope that I don’t sound too harsh. I know that we all have our favourite most loved pairs. I just don’t want to see you make mistakes in trying to do something that isn’t possible.

[newtoiron]

@goosehd not harsh at all. Trying to chart a best course of action. Think alteration might be best option

[newtoiron]

No point risking destruction on a shrink