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'Forever' in Blue Jeans

If you have been following my blog for awhile, you know that I'm a little funny about my jeans. I don't believe they have an expiration date.

I buy jeans with my own lifetime guarantee. They should last for my lifetime.



Now, this doesn't mean that I believe jeans never change. We all need to change and grow...become worn, even.


I spend a lot of time on my knees, because it's best to talk to little ones on their level. And they all have a ways to go before they see straight across into my eyes. Just the action of bending--to get baking items out of the lower cabinet, to see if that vacuum is picking up the dirt under the bed, to weed out the green varmints in the garden--causes wear on the fabric.


Worn jeans, even if they sprout tears, are still worthy for wear, per my guarantee.
But, they are not always practical to wear in that condition, which is why I also believe in patches.

Not satisfied with the store brand iron-ons (which don't provide the kind of coverage I need), I started making my own heart patches and embroidering them on my jeans. This involves ripping out the outer leg seam of the jeans and putting it back in. Using multiple functions on the sewing machine gives it a good workout!


Unfortunately, even the best intentions sometimes fall apart at the seams, or the patches. Sometimes, you have to take that last-resort option: Throw them out.

My dear friend Kelly offered me solace. "They have stores for that."

She would know. She helped me buy jeans the last time I went to the store. Showed me that I could remember the size and style I bought and find the same in other stores. Wow, what a concept. But that meant shopping.

If you have been following my blog for awhile, you know that I'm a little funny about clothes shopping. I don't shop well...for clothes...for me. But, this particular blog is not about my shopping aversion therapy treatments. [Kelly is laughing!]

There had to be an alternative. A way to get new jeans but not go to the jeans store for them. Thinking...thinking...sewing machine needs a workout. AHA!


A custom-fitted pair of jeans. $5 in fabric and supplies (at Wal-Mart on a regular trip).

Ah, patches. Parting is such sweet sorrow.



(And two pair beats one, even outside of Atlantic City!)

Comments

Kelly said…
Humming Paula Abdul's "We go together cause opposites attract!" You look for excuses NOT to shop, while I use any excuse to GO shopping. Wow.

I'm still game for a shopping trip, would LOVE it! Not that custom made jeans aren't too cool for school. Just something about the shopping. Ahhhhh. Couple it with Starbucks - nirvana!

Reminds me of Sonya grinding her own wheat and baking bread each week. "You know you can buy that at Walmart for 99 cents?"

Opposites attract indeed!
gibsonfam said…
And I just bought two new pairs of jeans because of the knee holes in all but one pair of my old ones. I like the heart patches--very cute! Your new jeans sound wonderful and like they'll fit perfectly. That's what I can't stand about shopping for jeans...they never seem to fit just right. Maybe I needed to bring Kelly with me!
Carmen said…
Oh Sue...sometimes I think we're very much alike. I don't like shopping for myself either. My husband loves to shop. He has so many clothes, they're taking over my part of the closet. I also love to be in jeans...I am seldom wearing any other kind of pants, although I did buy some cords. They look nice in my closet. Most of my jeans however, are looking a little worn...
PS: Thank you for your insightful comment on my last post! I appreciate your thoughts!!
KelliGirl said…
Ha ha! Don't you know you're perfectly in style with torn jeans! People pay extra for holes in the knees and thighs.

Ever crafty and creative you come up with a solution. Good for you.

Although, I'm with Kelly...at least on the Starbucks part! I did get a bunch of jeans at Old Navy last year for $12 and thought that was pretty clever.

Good to read about your winter carnival. It looked like so much fun. Very impressed with the craftiness of all involved. I'm now craving a snowman pop, though.

Talk to you soon,
Kelli
Edie said…
This is too cute! I love patched up jeans. Then never go out of style either. You really just shoulda put another patch on top of that broken heart. :)
My ADHD Me said…
I am completely with you on clothes shopping. AND also on the lifespan of blue jeans.

When i do need some new jeans, nothing beats the thrift store. usually $2-$8 and although sometimes they look like new, they also have been broken in a bit and are mush more comfy!

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