Comments on: Jeans too short? Stretch them!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:57:15 +0000

Joey,
It doesn’t seem as if the width changed at all. I also wondered about whether the process would negatively affect the denim but there is no way to tell but to wait! I’ve only worn the jeans one day since the stretching since we’ve had 85 degree days here in Seattle and our home is not air-conditioned. I’ll keep you all posted!
Stephanie

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:54:12 +0000

Do not dry your jeans in the dryer if they contain a spandex content. The elastic fibers relax but do not contract back again causing major “growing”. You’ll ruin your jeans, and virtually everything else in the tumble dryer. I do not encourage tumble drying.

By: SavingDiva

SavingDiva — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:06:58 +0000

Thanks for the tip! I don’t have any jeans that I need shorter right now, but I can see this problem coming up in the future.

Am I the only person that dries my jeans in the dryer? It helps me shrink them back down to size after wearing them.

By: Joy

Joy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:27:38 +0000

Yesterday I accidentally stretched a pair of new jeans so much that I’ll have to wash them again in order to wear them. I’d tumbled them in the dryer with no heat and hung them wet to dry with a man’s wooden clip pant hanger. As usual, I clipped another hanger to the bottom of each leg to let the weight help pull out the wrinkles. For more wrinkle-free drying I added a very heavy man’s wooden suit hanger to each leg. When dry the jeans are about 4 inches longer but not narrower. I looked at the tag and they are 6% spandex, probably the source of the problem. You might be able to stretch your jeans some at home if the fabric includes spandex.

By: Joey

Joey — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:48:02 +0000

At first I thought this might be the miracle I’ve been searching for, but several bothersome questions have been bobbing around in my brain:

1) If we aren’t supposed to wash or dry jeans with heat because it damages the spandex–how can heavy duty heat presses not cause damage?
2) If the fabric is elongated, will the width be compromised?

I called my dry cleaner to see if they do heat press stretching. I’m waiting for an answer.

Stephanie, I’m curious to know more. How are your jeans holding up after the procedure? Was the width smaller?

Thanks!

By: Joelle

Joelle — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:31:21 +0000

Oops! I’ve already given away all my short jeans! But this is good to know. I seem to always find jeans that fit well but that are 2″-3″ too short. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to dry your jeans in the dryer if you have an Air Dry setting on it, so that there is no heat involved. I’ve been drying mine this way since I got my new dryer and so far, no disasters.

By: Val

Val — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:20:39 +0000

This is interesting! Does the heat damage the spandex at all? Where can I find out more about this? I’m long waisted, so I’d love to see if this process can be done to dresses or shirts.

By: Cherylynne

Cherylynne — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:14:14 +0000

I had to laugh out loud at this “…you can wash, air dry and press as normal.” I moved away from cotten blouses and linen anything because I pull out the iron 2x a year!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:14:55 +0000

Wow, that sounds amazing. Do they do it to any jeans or only ones purchased at Nordies?

By: Angie

Angie — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:51:29 +0000

I doubt it Pam. I’ve tried!