Comments on: Levi’s 501XX Shrink to Fit FAQ http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/ Shrink to Fit Levi's 501xx Jeans Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:30:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-1332 Jim Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:29:33 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-1332 I found a good way to shrink STF 501's without having to go in a Bath. It has to be winter time when the heat is on. I would get up against the radiador while wearing My new Levis and get them real Hot till my skin just starts to Burn. Then I'll switch to a different position, Front, Back, Side, etc. This was in the 70's. I'm not sure if the Levis though of today shrink like the one's of years ago, but you can try it. I used to get them form fitting doing that. I found a good way to shrink STF 501′s without having to go in a Bath. It has to be winter time when the heat is on. I would get up against the radiador while wearing My new Levis and get them real Hot till my skin just starts to Burn. Then I’ll switch to a different position, Front, Back, Side, etc. This was in the 70′s. I’m not sure if the Levis though of today shrink like the one’s of years ago, but you can try it. I used to get them form fitting doing that.

]]> By: doug http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-1298 doug Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:21:54 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-1298 Hi! I bought a pair of 1947 levi's broken down 501s a few days ago, new in 28x32. I usually wear a 28 but not may sizes were available. They were barely closeable at first, which is silly and uncomfortable. But I'm wearing them now and they are only a smidgen tighter then I might want, and I expect them to loosen even more as I wear them. Here's what I did stretch the waist line of the jeans: -put on jeans, did some stretching in them to loosen them up. -crammed as much of a washcloth as I could wedge into the right side waist. Repeated for the left side (much tougher at that point due to the doing it on the right side!). -filled tub with hot water, got book, sat in tub 10 mins, did some reading. -emptied tub, waited a few mins for excess water to run off pants, dried off top of body, hair, etc. Oh I also stood in the hot water of the shower a bit, why not. No soap, though! -Laid out two big towels, one atop the other, and did some lunges (held them for a bit), switching sides. This squeezed a lot of excess water out of the crotch. -wore them a few more hours, sitting on the towels or doing some lunches or stepping up on a chair to stretch the legs. -At some point I crammed some more washcloth into the waist, careful not to let it drop below the waistline where it wouldn't help stretch the waist. -I also moved the washcloths to the front waist and back for a bit. When I got tired of wearing damp jeans, without undies of course, I took them off. Then I: -left them unbuttoned, and pushed a wooden hanger into the waist. I buttoned the top button and pulled the hanger up, one side at a time, until it was wedged in the waist. -Then I hung them up in the hanger's hook to air dry! When I put them on again a few hours later they fit very nicely in the waist. I hope this is helpful - there are SO many postings about shrinking 501s but nothing really specific about stretching them. Oh I did see something about a car jack, which may have influenced my hanger idea.... Hi! I bought a pair of 1947 levi’s broken down 501s a few days ago, new in 28×32. I usually wear a 28 but not may sizes were available. They were barely closeable at first, which is silly and uncomfortable. But I’m wearing them now and they are only a smidgen tighter then I might want, and I expect them to loosen even more as I wear them. Here’s what I did stretch the waist line of the jeans:

-put on jeans, did some stretching in them to loosen them up.
-crammed as much of a washcloth as I could wedge into the right side waist. Repeated for the left side (much tougher at that point due to the doing it on the right side!).
-filled tub with hot water, got book, sat in tub 10 mins, did some reading.
-emptied tub, waited a few mins for excess water to run off pants, dried off top of body, hair, etc. Oh I also stood in the hot water of the shower a bit, why not. No soap, though!
-Laid out two big towels, one atop the other, and did some lunges (held them for a bit), switching sides. This squeezed a lot of excess water out of the crotch.
-wore them a few more hours, sitting on the towels or doing some lunches or stepping up on a chair to stretch the legs.
-At some point I crammed some more washcloth into the waist, careful not to let it drop below the waistline where it wouldn’t help stretch the waist.
-I also moved the washcloths to the front waist and back for a bit.

When I got tired of wearing damp jeans, without undies of course, I took them off. Then I:
-left them unbuttoned, and pushed a wooden hanger into the waist. I buttoned the top button and pulled the hanger up, one side at a time, until it was wedged in the waist.
-Then I hung them up in the hanger’s hook to air dry!

When I put them on again a few hours later they fit very nicely in the waist. I hope this is helpful – there are SO many postings about shrinking 501s but nothing really specific about stretching them. Oh I did see something about a car jack, which may have influenced my hanger idea….

]]> By: Alex http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-1271 Alex Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:02:27 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-1271 Hello Ned, Given that the rigid STF 501s are more true to size after intial washing, what size would you recommend if I wear a 32X32 pant size? Thanks much and you have a great blog! Hello Ned,

Given that the rigid STF 501s are more true to size after intial washing, what size would you recommend if I wear a 32X32 pant size? Thanks much and you have a great blog!

]]> By: pedro http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-1241 pedro Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:44:48 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-1241 I just found this site and have worn 501's daily for about 43 years (since I was 12 you do the math LOL) my question is: I like the idea of bathtub shrinkage, I've lost 20 pounds so I need a new better fit BUT I have already machine washed a couple pairs 501xx ( turned inside out) in hot water/hot dryer BUT have not worn them yet and was wondering if the bath tub custom butt hugging strategy would still work or have I lost that magic ? thanks and enjoy the zipper free lifestyle. I just found this site and have worn 501′s daily for about 43 years (since I was 12 you do the math LOL) my question is: I like the idea of bathtub shrinkage, I’ve lost 20 pounds so I need a new better fit BUT I have already machine washed a couple pairs 501xx ( turned inside out) in hot water/hot dryer BUT have not worn them yet and was wondering if the bath tub custom butt hugging strategy would still work or have I lost that magic ? thanks and enjoy the zipper free lifestyle.

]]> By: Polly Anne http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-1179 Polly Anne Tue, 23 Aug 2011 04:57:56 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-1179 Thanks for all the great information, and for updating it to FAQ. So glad I can find 501s that fit me. Used to wear waist 27 in high school and could get them in all lengths, then suddenly they were not for women and girls anymore and smaller sizes were gone. Then Levi's only had boyfriend jeans, women's jeans, etc., now finally with a larger waist size and more 501 availability, I am back in the 501 saddle. Bought my latest STF at JCPenney's (great price, btw, $23.40!), want them in dark indigo blue but also in colors. Found Mexican made 501 there in a sort of dark tan color. Tried soaking and drying while wearing over the weekend - the 1" larger waist size did not shrink enough. The second pair I bought in my regular, good-fitting waist size (30 x 34). I am wearing them right now and they fit great, before soaking. Of course I don't want them to shrink in the waist, only in the length. I understand that they will shrink only to my body size if I wear them while they dry, but after I do this a couple of times, do I have to never dry them in the dryer in order to keep them fitting properly? Especially as these are a lighter color, don't think I can go for long periods of time without washing. I am used to washing my jeans every week for cleanliness and to keep them from getting baggy, but I can learn to adjust for a pair of well-fitting 501s. Basic question is: Is there a built-in amount of shrinkage in the jeans, that is just waiting there to happen when you finally wash them in the washer and dry them in the dryer? Or does the shrinkage only happen in the first two or three wettings (from soaking, bathtub washing, washer washing, swimming, whatever) and then it stops, even if you wash them in the washer and dry them in the dryer? Sorry for so long - you see where I'm going...once I've done the soak and wear 'til dry exercise a few times, am I done and then can wash them in cold water and dry them in the dryer? Or for the rest of the life of the jeans am I always washing them in cold water and hanging to dry? Thanks so much for all the great input. I can see that I will never buy anything but STF 501s! Okay, except for white 501s that I can dye in colors. Thanks for all the great information, and for updating it to FAQ. So glad I can find 501s that fit me. Used to wear waist 27 in high school and could get them in all lengths, then suddenly they were not for women and girls anymore and smaller sizes were gone. Then Levi’s only had boyfriend jeans, women’s jeans, etc., now finally with a larger waist size and more 501 availability, I am back in the 501 saddle.

Bought my latest STF at JCPenney’s (great price, btw, $23.40!), want them in dark indigo blue but also in colors. Found Mexican made 501 there in a sort of dark tan color. Tried soaking and drying while wearing over the weekend – the 1″ larger waist size did not shrink enough. The second pair I bought in my regular, good-fitting waist size (30 x 34). I am wearing them right now and they fit great, before soaking. Of course I don’t want them to shrink in the waist, only in the length. I understand that they will shrink only to my body size if I wear them while they dry, but after I do this a couple of times, do I have to never dry them in the dryer in order to keep them fitting properly?

Especially as these are a lighter color, don’t think I can go for long periods of time without washing. I am used to washing my jeans every week for cleanliness and to keep them from getting baggy, but I can learn to adjust for a pair of well-fitting 501s.

Basic question is: Is there a built-in amount of shrinkage in the jeans, that is just waiting there to happen when you finally wash them in the washer and dry them in the dryer? Or does the shrinkage only happen in the first two or three wettings (from soaking, bathtub washing, washer washing, swimming, whatever) and then it stops, even if you wash them in the washer and dry them in the dryer?

Sorry for so long – you see where I’m going…once I’ve done the soak and wear ’til dry exercise a few times, am I done and then can wash them in cold water and dry them in the dryer? Or for the rest of the life of the jeans am I always washing them in cold water and hanging to dry?

Thanks so much for all the great input. I can see that I will never buy anything but STF 501s! Okay, except for white 501s that I can dye in colors.

]]> By: Bob Mc TX http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-1151 Bob Mc TX Wed, 06 Jul 2011 04:25:01 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-1151 You are seriously wanting them to shrink fast: boil in water with salt, then cook'm in the oven for an hour @350'F You are seriously wanting them to shrink fast:
boil in water with salt, then cook’m in the oven for an hour @350′F

]]> By: Howto Shrink Levi’s 501 Shrink to Fit Jeans Part 2 | 501XX Info http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-724 Howto Shrink Levi’s 501 Shrink to Fit Jeans Part 2 | 501XX Info Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:57:12 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-724 [...] 501xx Jean Sizing Tool ← Howto Shrink Levi’s 501 Shrink to Fit Jeans Levi’s 501XX Shrink to Fit FAQ → [...] [...] 501xx Jean Sizing Tool ← Howto Shrink Levi’s 501 Shrink to Fit Jeans Levi’s 501XX Shrink to Fit FAQ → [...]

]]> By: Timmy Gordineer http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-706 Timmy Gordineer Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:10:59 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-706 Possess you due to any kind of imagined at all with targeted your web page in to German? I comprehend a couple of of translaters here that would surely assist you get it done for no expense if you would want to generate contact with me. Possess you due to any kind of imagined at all with targeted your web page in to German? I comprehend a couple of of translaters here that would surely assist you get it done for no expense if you would want to generate contact with me.

]]> By: Mike XX Only http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-677 Mike XX Only Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:53:06 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-677 After purchasing my 22nd pair of Levi 501's (my first when i was 13 years old in 1970), i've seen a great deal of changes in the manufacturing process of this icon. My brother-in -law was a London 'Mod' in the 1960's and went to great lengths to make sure he shrank his Carnaby Street-bought Levi's to the correct size and so introduced me to this extraordinary (and somewhat uncomfortable) custom. He used to drive his parents crazy, lying on the divan upon endless numbers of towels, whilst the denim shrank. We also had the Wrangler and Lee brands, etc - but Levi' were the ones to be seen in. In the mid to late 1970's, the supply of 'red-tag' 501's had all but dried up on our side of the Atlantic, so a few of us made the pilgrimage to the U.S.A in search of our 'holy grail'. Alas, they were becoming very hard to find. This led to a large number of second-hand denim shops opening in the U.K., with original 'Big E' red-tag 501's changing hands for a lot of money. But that's another story. . . . Nowadays, as everyone 'in the know' knows, Levi's 501 XX Vintage are available, - BUT, whilst looking the same as the originals, there is something to be aware of when putting them into your washing machine. The famous leather patch on the back of the jeans is printed with a red ink that isn't resistant to many modern wash powders and detergents. This is something that i took up personally with Levi's in California, so they've now changed the washing instructions on the care label inside the left leg of the jeans. After test, Levi's are now advising the use of a soft liquid soap at a 30 degrees centigrade cool wash. This will protect the printing on the leather patch and not cause the leather itself to perish. I still have a pair of 'big E's' from thirty years ago, and they've been washed in every type of detergent going, - but still the leather patch remains intact (albeit a little faded, of course). The normal 501 red-tag jeans bear a patch that is made from compressed fibre and doesn't bear the wording 'Every Garment Guaranteed', above 'Lot 501 XX'. But that's progress, i suppose. Rolls Royce wouldn't dream of producing cars bearing a plastic model angel atop the front grille, so why should Levi's sell-out ? It's part of their heritage. We in the U.K. hope they long continue to produce jeans and jackets in the original way. After purchasing my 22nd pair of Levi 501′s (my first when i was 13 years old in 1970), i’ve seen a great deal of changes in the manufacturing process of this icon. My brother-in -law was a London ‘Mod’ in the 1960′s and went to great lengths to make sure he shrank his Carnaby Street-bought Levi’s to the correct size and so introduced me to this extraordinary (and somewhat uncomfortable) custom. He used to drive his parents crazy, lying on the divan upon endless numbers of towels, whilst the denim shrank. We also had the Wrangler and Lee brands, etc – but Levi’ were the ones to be seen in. In the mid to late 1970′s, the supply of ‘red-tag’ 501′s had all but dried up on our side of the Atlantic, so a few of us made the pilgrimage to the U.S.A in search of our ‘holy grail’. Alas, they were becoming very hard to find. This led to a large number of second-hand denim shops opening in the U.K., with original ‘Big E’ red-tag 501′s changing hands for a lot of money. But that’s another story. . . . Nowadays, as everyone ‘in the know’ knows, Levi’s 501 XX Vintage are available, – BUT, whilst looking the same as the originals, there is something to be aware of when putting them into your washing machine. The famous leather patch on the back of the jeans is printed with a red ink that isn’t resistant to many modern wash powders and detergents. This is something that i took up personally with Levi’s in California, so they’ve now changed the washing instructions on the care label inside the left leg of the jeans. After test, Levi’s are now advising the use of a soft liquid soap at a 30 degrees centigrade cool wash. This will protect the printing on the leather patch and not cause the leather itself to perish. I still have a pair of ‘big E’s’ from thirty years ago, and they’ve been washed in every type of detergent going, – but still the leather patch remains intact (albeit a little faded, of course). The normal 501 red-tag jeans bear a patch that is made from compressed fibre and doesn’t bear the wording ‘Every Garment Guaranteed’, above ‘Lot 501 XX’. But that’s progress, i suppose. Rolls Royce wouldn’t dream of producing cars bearing a plastic model angel atop the front grille, so why should Levi’s sell-out ? It’s part of their heritage. We in the U.K. hope they long continue to produce jeans and jackets in the original way.

]]> By: Andy Taylor http://501xx.info/blog/levis-501xx-shrink-to-fit-faq/#comment-674 Andy Taylor Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:49:20 +0000 http://blog.nedsferatu.com/?p=151#comment-674 Super website. Bought my 501xx at Sheplers (2 pairs), and I live in the UK. ~$30 shipping and $35 tax! Still ok value for here tho'! (<i>and unavailable otherwise</i>) As yet un-shrunk, I am wearing a pair now. Because they're unshrunk, they are ~2.5 inches too long, so have long cuffs. Apart from looking a bit silly, I'm concerned that the folds of the cuffs will become proper "folds" in the fabric and fade etc. I can't see a way around this, other than to "get in the bath", something I'm not looking forward to!! Been wearing them unshrunk for ~2 weeks, most days, perhaps it is time to get in the bath. It is February tho', and a <i>little</i> cold for wandering around in soaking wet jeans! Cheers! Andy Super website. Bought my 501xx at Sheplers (2 pairs), and I live in the UK. ~$30 shipping and $35 tax! Still ok value for here tho’! (and unavailable otherwise)

As yet un-shrunk, I am wearing a pair now. Because they’re unshrunk, they are ~2.5 inches too long, so have long cuffs. Apart from looking a bit silly, I’m concerned that the folds of the cuffs will become proper “folds” in the fabric and fade etc. I can’t see a way around this, other than to “get in the bath”, something I’m not looking forward to!!

Been wearing them unshrunk for ~2 weeks, most days, perhaps it is time to get in the bath. It is February tho’, and a little cold for wandering around in soaking wet jeans!

Cheers!

Andy

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