Acid Wash denim--ragbag or compost pile?

Iron Ethel Flint

It's a long skirt that my late grandfather gave me when i was a teenager. It could potentially be wearable (at least in the event of TEOTWAWKI, lol) if i cut off the waistband and zipper and put in some elastic--it's a nice sized piece of fabric in very good condition.

I have a young child, so ragbag could mean dressing up as an '80s character for Halloween or a stuffed animal rather than just polishing furniture and cleaning up kitty puke.

I have limited experience and talent with dyeing.

Of course I could take a picture and/or cut a scrap for a memory quilt and have some closet space for something new if i get rid of it.

9 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from Summer

shedev

Veteran

I like the idea of making a stuffed animal, or more than 1. I'm sure there are easy patterns online.

9 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Does denim compost?

9 years ago

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I made a pretty cool and warm raw-edge quilt out of some old jeans and old flannel shirts. It'd keep us plenty warm if TEOTWAWKI comes to pass. In the meantime, it's almost too hot.

Why does it disturb me that Apple's spell-check understands TEOTWAWKI? (In so typing thus ensuring that my post will be forever enshrined in a hard drive deep in the bowels of Bluffdale Utah.)

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

They make very cool wall insulation out of denim these days. Also have to say I like the idea of an acid wash denim stuffed animal, as does a denim quilt - that's cool kid stuff. But it sounds like it might have potential for wearing, depending on the style you go with (no Wayne's World allowed ;)) (and so long as it doesn't bewitch you into doing the noodle to the Grateful Dead).

Finally: I think that might be the wrong amount of wrong... Apple spell-check understanding TEOTWAWKI, while making all my *on's* into *in's.* Bad Apple!

8 years ago

Iron Ethel Flint

Active Member

It breaks down eventually if there's not too much of it, but I've definitely got too much of it and hate to give up the skirt without a fight. It's rock solid with no rips, tears or stains--just doesn't fit any more and is a couple million years out of style.

i opened a thread here that I thought was from someone asking advice for what to wear to a job in IT that involved Apples and it turns out that she's not necessarily a geek, we just share a body type--such a nice, positive reframing of "fat bellied girl". Angie, you rock!

The iPad my Dad gave me is kind of a cool paperweight but I much prefer this on my computers.

< warm smiles >

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Hey now! Be nice to my food baby! Lol

I've done that too here - opened a thread thinking we were gonna talk about what to wear for a job in IT at Apple... Oh man. Haha!

8 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I am a procrastinator so I'd say ragbag first, I like the idea of an 80s costume for your child that could make for great photos. If it doesn't get used for a year then bring it to someone who recycles textiles. I just purchased a pair of jeans from H&M, fabric content is 50% post consumer denim. I will report back on how they fit/feel/wash etc. They were on the higher end of H&M denim at $40 but way less than what I usually pay as I'm a premium denim fan.

Related to your thread about jumpers, I just found these skirt overalls at 7 for All Mankind.

8 years ago

Active Member

Sounds like you'd enjoy getting more wear out of this well-loved skirt and that you have the vision and skills to remake it into a garment that fits your real body and your real life. I think you should try. It's not a crime to wear clothes that aren't "in fashion," but it would be a shame to miss out on a comfortable, affordable, appropriate, durable skirt, remade by yourself! out of the skirt you cherish.

8 years ago

Iron Ethel Flint

Active Member

I'll post a picture tomorrow. It really isn't that bad--at least I don't think so. I have vision issues so it isn't always easy for me to tell.

8 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Y'all are so funny had me dying laughing and rereading this thread. Hopefully it will be a long time until TEOTWAWKI. I cant wait for the pictures. If the skirt does not work out the the stuffed animals sound adorable.

8 years ago

Iron Ethel Flint

Active Member

I couldn't resist popping on really quick to post these--should be putting the kid to bed and I'm still starting dinner so I can't get carried away.

#1 gives you an idea of the style and also how blind I am, since I put the skirt and the camera away without even noticing how horrid the lighting was. The pockets go down pretty far, so maybe side panels like this would be a better idea than just whacking off all the hardware at the top and putting in some elastic. I really, really hate tight waistbands and it makes me angry that I'm supposed to hate myself for being too poor to get liposuction because it's too inconvenient for them to make clothes that fit.

#2 is a close up of the fabric. It's not THAT out of place and it's really nice, soft but sturdy.

#3 is for historical context and your geeky pleasure. WHAT!? Talk about language evolving! That piece of denim is NOT distressed by 2015 standards! This thing is heirloom quality! My great granddaughter could wear it to slop the pigs and plough the fields after she takes that box of $100 bills back around to the outhouse because sooner or later somebody's going be glad she found them even though she didn't believe me when i told her what we used them for back in the olden days when i was only 50.

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8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

This skirt looks in style to me. I honestly don't know where it would be out of place... Except dinner at the beach club, because that's white dinner jacket. If you can do something about the waist band, I think it's great.

Waistbands are THE reason I don't do denim. Well, there's a little bit of personality that contributes as well. But I do fake jeans all the time. Stiff heavy denim, anyways, wreaks havoc with my digestive system. Lipo wouldn't help. Maybe would worsen the problem.

ps: if all else fails, you should display the skirt in one of those acrylic art boxes. That is too funny, the label!

8 years ago

Summer

Veteran

Ethel, you brighten my day. You have such a lovely sense of humour.

I vote dressing up box.

8 years ago

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