Denim is a blue fabric that is normally made of cotton. The fabric is durable and commonly used to make jeans and other workwear. Denim was originally only for work clothing, but as it became more popular in the 20th century, it became fashionable to wear denim clothing in different shapes, including skinny jeans and leggings, as streetwear. Also, there has been a lot of growth in the denim industry within the past years, leading to the increasing popularity of denim fabrics within more fashion arenas than just streetwear. This blog post informs on the main properties of the denim fabric, the history behind the development of this fabric, and where it originated.
History of Denim Fabric
Denim fabric was first produced in France in the 18th century. It was originally used to make military uniforms because it was resistant to dirt and could be dyed easily. At this time, denim was often made by weaving together two different coloured threads, creating a twill effect on the surface of the cloth.
In 1795, Levi Strauss & Co. introduced blue jeans to the American market as an alternative to canvas trousers worn at the time. The company started manufacturing denim garments using copper rivets instead of buttons or zippers, which helped prevent them from falling apart easily. In 1924, Lee Jeans invented riveted pockets on denim jeans, which became one of their signature features.
How Is Denim Fabric Made?
Denim is made from cotton fibres woven into 2-ply yarns, which are then woven into denim fabric using either warp and weft or shuttle weaving methods. Warp knitting machines form continuous lengths of warp threads by stretching them between two sets of rollers, while weft knitting machines form continuous lengths of weft threads by stretching them between two sets of rollers. The two types of threads are combined at the end of their manufacturing process under heat and pressure to become fused. This process is called “skewing” and makes denim fabrics so durable. The process of weaving denim fabric is pretty straightforward:
1) The warp and weft threads are prepared by twisting them together using a machine called a “twister.” This ensures they won’t separate when woven together later in manufacturing.
2) The warp threads are then stretched across a loom and woven together with the weft threads to form a pattern.
3) After this, the denim fabric is washed and dried. This makes it softer and more comfortable to wear.
4) Finally, the denim fabric is sent through a process called “denting”, which gives it its permanent creases.
The final step is to cut the denim fabric into manufacturers’ sizes and shapes.
Fabric properties
The denim fabric has many different characteristics or properties that make it unique compared to other fabrics such as wool or silk. Some of these characteristics include:
Softness
Denim fabric is quite soft and comfortable to wear, which makes it popular for clothing items like jeans and jackets because they can be easily folded up and put away when not worn without causing damage to the material itself.
Durability
Denim fabric also tends to be quite durable, even though it may appear delicate at first glance due to its thinness and texture (see below). This feature makes it ideal for heavy-duty tasks such as construction or military applications where durability is needed to prevent rips and tears.
Flexibility
Denim fabric is also quite flexible, allowing it to be easily manipulated into the shape of whatever clothing item it is used for. This feature makes it ideal for use in other clothing besides jeans or jackets, such as skirts and shirts, which require a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Different Types of Denim
There are many different types of denim, each with unique properties. Here are some of the most popular types of denim:
- Stretch Denim: This type of denim is made with a small amount of elastane, which gives it a bit of stretch. It's comfortable to wear and looks great on all body types.
- Raw Denim: Raw denim is denim that hasn't been washed or treated in any way. It's usually a bit stiffer than other types of denim, but it will soften over time with wear.
- Selvedge Denim: Selvedge denim is made with a special type of loom that creates a clean, finished edge on the fabric. It's often more expensive than other types of denim, but it's also very high quality.
- Distressed Denim: Distressed denim is made to look like it's been worn and loved for years. It usually has faded areas, rips, and other intentional imperfections.
Where is Denim Fabric Produced?
Denim fabric is produced in many countries worldwide, including Australia, America, and Asia. The majority of denim in the U.S. is made domestically, however, and more than 200 brands of jeans use denim fabric produced in this country alone. Denim fabrics are also made in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world.
The denim fabric has been produced in Australia since the early 1900s. Denim is still produced in its traditional home state of NSW today; however, several other major denim producers are scattered throughout Australia.
Sourcing Denim Fabric
Australian denim fabric suppliers are highly competitive, with most companies sourcing their denim overseas. This means that the quality of denim fabric in Australia is inconsistent.
The best way to ensure you’re getting high-quality denim is to buy it from a supplier that sources its fabric from Australia and USA. These countries produce some of the highest-quality denim in the world, so if you want your jeans to last, look for Aussie or American denim.
Australian denim is made from cotton grown in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. The climate and soil of this area are especially suited to grow cotton, which gives Australian denim its characteristic softness and comfort. It also makes Australian fabric ideal for jeans, as it is durable enough to withstand the stress of washing while still feeling soft against the skin.
When choosing a supplier, ask them where their materials come from and how they determine their product quality standards. If they can’t tell you where their denim comes from or what makes it good quality, then there’s no point buying from them!
Australian denim is a premium product we proudly offer our customers. We want them to know where their jeans come from, how they were made, and why they should care about their new denim purchase quality. If your brand is also looking for a supplier of Australian denim, then get in touch with us today!
Conclusion
One of the best aspects of denim clothing is its versatility. From jackets to jeans, dresses to shirts, denim will always be a great choice for every occasion, and it's easy to find one that fits your style. When you own a quality article of clothing made from denim, you can wear it for years to come, and it will always look stylishly vintage.
