American Made Denim
Rugged fabric made of cotton describes American made denim. The difference between denim and cotton twill is the diagonal ribbing on the reverse side of the fabric. The former has been the fabric for clothing worn by laborers, rebels, hippies, celebrities and other workforces and subcultures for centuries.
People began adoring denim as early as the 18th century. George Washington toured a production line of denim in Massachusetts in 1798. Blue color laborers wore denim because of its durability and strength. During the 19th century, the miners of the California gold rush needed strong clothing to handle the harsh work environment so Levi--he was called Loeb at birth--Strauss developed a pair of "jeans" that started a huge fashion craze in America. During the same time, the railroad workers wore a similar fabric called hickory cloth that was denim with white and black contrasting threads in the denim pattern. This cloth was believed to be as tough as hickory wood. Quite impressive.
Denim fabric was originally made in Nimes, France by the Andre family. They called it "serge." This fabric was made of silk and wool, but woven in the denim fashion. This is thought to be the first denim fabric produced. This denim fabric was originally called serge de Nimes, but later was called denim to give it a shorter name. Soon after the Italians from Genoa wore this denim as trousers finally the name "jeans" came to be after the Genoans who wore these pants.
In American culture, denim jeans and other apparel have been an historical part of fashion. Ironically, only a very small percentage of denim clothing is actually made in the United States. Note that nearly all of Hyde Park’s fabric is produced in the U.S. You can be confident that you are receiving quality denim fabric that has not been outsourced.
Uses for Denim
American made stretch denim fabric has been made into jeans, shorts, overalls, skirts, jackets, bags, capris, shoes, dresses , duvet covers, curtains and shirts and all kinds of accessories. Denim has many benefits over other materials for apparel. Jeans can be worn at various social and official occasions. Based on durability alone, denim makes sense economically. It is also great as stretch denim fabric for chef attire and all kinds of projects.
Recycling, Upcycling and Repurposing
Denim material, especially when purchased wholesale or by the yard, has become increasingly popular for crafts and DIY projects. New and unique ideas are always appearing. We've seen all sorts of innovative uses for denim. Whether it originates from raw denim by the yard or an upcycling of jeans, the possibilities are endless. Some of the many items which have been created from repurposed denim include bags, hanging wall pockets, coasters, cushions, blankets, quilts, scarves, pillows, stuffed animals and rugs. Not only are these items interesting, fun to make and environmentally conscious, nearly all serve a specific purpose.
The environmental impact of recycling denim is far-reaching. The process trims the amount of materials in landfills and reduces energy used to create more denim. Companies such as Nudie Jeans have milled discarded, used jeans into a pulp which then becomes a raw material for new products. The employees themselves have upholstered furniture with denim from jeans. This technique also saves people money. Table runners at a home decor store, for example, can run up to $50. Sure, they are handmade, maybe with some beads or tassles. But wholesale, American made denim by the yard can be upcycled to a table runner with no problem. And the best thing about making your own, is that you can do whatever you want with it. Heck, this is America, afterall. So take advantage of the ability and freedom to design your own denim creations, whether you are recycling the material or purchasing wholesale denim by the yard directly from Hyde Park.
But wait, there's more. Just simply conducting a search for "unique denim ideas" will yield a boatload of inspirational products made of our favorite material. And when we say "boatload," we are not kidding. You really could fill a boat of American made denim. In addition to the more common ideas like handbags and quilts, there are always fresh concepts for the exciting world of upcycling. Here's the latest: rugs, table runners, coasters, wreaths, lunch bags, table cloths, baskets and flowers. Some of these seem simple, while others may prove to be a little more complex. Since there are plenty of DIY craft sites out there, we're sure that step-by-step instructions are available for a range of denim pieces. If you are crafty and have the experience, perhaps one day soon your own denim creation will be featured on a popular, cutting-edge website.
Modern Start-Ups and Veteran Clothing Companies
Throughout the past century, many businesses have put a focus on denim fabric. On this site alone, we have examined just a few of the products and companies that have stood out from the hundreds which have made impressive use of denim. Jeans company FNL was started by two entrepreneurs in Kansas who wanted to produce jeans that didn't have an overpriced tag. They learned to sew and craft the garments themselves.
On another end of the spectrum is Eton, a larger, high-end company that was founded in Ganghester, Sweden in 1928. Known for its top quality clothing for men, Eton has evolved into a global leading shirt maker. They have introduced a button-down denim shirt design and continue to aspire to make new, creative clothing options for men.
Whether you are investing in a brand new DIY project at home or are building on your brand name, Hyde Park Denim would love to hear from you. We are a trusted American manufacturer of denim cloth and look forward to being your first choice for American made denim.