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Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 13492
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Posted on: 2/28/06 11:04 AM ET
I didn't know that distressed jeans, at least the most high-end, wrecked, trashed ones, were literally handwork. A story in today's LA Times describes not only bleaching, as you'd expect, but a whole crew of immigrant workers taking pumice stones, knives, drils and other woodworking tools to jeans, in order to produce specific, repeatable damage to these pants, before selling them at $200 a pop.

Sheesh. What people will buy! Here's the link to the story (you might have to register to read it, but it's free):

How to ruin jeans, artfully.
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Elona
  
Member since 10/31/04
Posts: 998
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Posted on: 2/28/06 11:10 AM ET
Oh my God he wore the same jeans everyday for over a year without washing them, unbelievable! I can't understand how someone would pay
over $40 for a pair of jeans to begin withlet alone $200 .
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Penny

Fabric Mart Bundle Fabric sewn- 10.5 yds
  
Member since 11/17/05
Posts: 600
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Posted on: 2/28/06 4:08 PM ET
I remember several years ago detailing the ecological cost of distressed jeans. I was specifically impressed by the amount of volcanic rock removed for pumice. Just think, back in the days we used to do a couple of bleach runs and call it a day.
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Singer Featherweight, Bernina 1630, Bernina L890, Bernina 770QE, Bernina Q20
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 8572
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Posted on: 2/28/06 10:26 PM ET
I'm thinking of all the time I spent lovingly, meticulously repairing my kids' jeans - especially where the top of the back pockets always pulled away. How many "works of art" did I ruin with those repairs?

OMG - can you imagine what those never-washed jeans smelled like?
-- Edited on 2/28/06 10:26 PM --
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“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'



  
Member since 1/31/04
Posts: 360
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Posted on: 3/2/06 5:26 PM ET
I spent time reinforcing those frayed places on DD's most recent acquisition. Some of those fray spots looked like they would just give away in a matter of weeks, on DD's lowly college student budget she wants her jeans to last a semester at least. I used black organza stitched in a way to bury the stitching in the frayed fuzzy. I don't know if this will help longevity or not but it made us both feel alittle better. :)
  
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