Blog - Martinizing Musings

The denim fabric we’re familiar with today is actually made up of two woven cotton yarns: one white and one that’s colored (traditionally with synthetic indigo, thereby giving jeans that beloved blue hue).Once cut and sewn, the denim is washed to the desired base shade. Sometimes pumice stones, enzyme washes, bleaches, or other abrasives are added, but the most important element is time. After a bit of patience, the newly born jeans are pressed and tagged.

What Is The Problem?
Sometimes, denim fabrics, such as jean pants, shirts, skirts,dresses, jackets etc. show mysterious rips, fraying or holes in areas that have been faded in manufacturing to impart the
faded, aged and worn look. Chemical and/or mechanical over processing during the distressing process can cause local loss of tensile strength.
What Does It Look Like?
The damage appears only in the artificially discolored or faded places designed to impart the worn or vintage look to the garment. Because the fabric has already been chemically

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Sometimes, after proper cleaning as labeled, designer or regular denim jean fabric shows objectionable dye fading and “streaks.” This damage usually is seen in blue or black denim, but it could occur in other shades.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The fabric color is duller and there are areas that look like bleached out lines on edges, double thick seams, and creases and folds.
WHAT CAUSED IT?

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Sometimes when denim jeans come out of dry-cleaning or washing, holes are noticed that may not have been seen before cleaning.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
There can be only one hole or just a couple holes or many holes in the same area or random places. The holes could be circular or have irregular shapes. In some instances, a discoloration will be visible around the edges of the holes.
WHAT CAUSED IT?

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
On many chenille-type fashions, the yarns tend to snag and pull out rather easily. Chenille yarn is mostly knit into sweaters, but can also be woven for other wearable fashions or household items, such as blankets and Afghans.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Shirts can sometimes show areas of dye disturbance after laundering.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Close examination reveals that the stained areas are mainly on the fabric where it comes into contact with the body, such as the neck, chest, or upper back. On solid colored (usually darker) shirts, the discoloration appears darker. On striped or plaid shirts, the staining looks like dye migration into the lighter areas.
WHAT CAUSED IT?

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
The collar and/or cuffs of shirts are distorted and bubbled after the care process.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
There is a rippling or puckering of the outer fabric from one seam edge to the other. Sometimes hard creases or wrinkles appear after pressing.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
The problem originates when washable items are washed according to proper procedures and they fade out to a lighter shade and/or the dye becomes streaked.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
On fabrics that are all one color, the dye may appear dull or faded overall. This shade variance can be uniform or be uneven. The edges and seams may have a more pronounced lightening of color or appear frosted. The surface can appear chalky or the fabric can look chafed or streaked.

TEARS IN ONE DIRECTION OF COLORED SHIRTS

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
The problem arises when the colored yarn-in mainly oxford cloth shirts-tears in one direction prematurely during
the laundering process.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The damage appears as thin horizontal tears. Close examination reveals that the damage is confined to only certain sets of the colored yarns while other-such as the white yarns-remain unaffected.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Mysterious weak areas and tears show up in the areas of the underarms in shirts made of cellulose, such as cotton,
rayon, ramie, or linen. This damage could occur in other cellulose fibers, as well as some cellulose blends, most
notably cotton and polyester.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The fabric is weakened and torn near the underarms, while the lower sleeves and body of the shirt remain strong. Sometimes, but not always, staining is noted in the area, such as a ring, streak, splotch, or a light area.