shrunk jeans :(

skintchick

I needed my jeans washed quickly, so I did them on the usual 40C wash, then tumble dried them.

They've shrunk

The legs are now a good half centimetre than before (yes, it DOES matter).

Is there any way I can stretch them again? I am so cross cos they were the perfect length before, and it was only cos I was in a hurry that I tumbled them as I usually never use the TD.

I suspect that I can;t do anything, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts?

AussieLass

Are they stretch? I would put the leg of them underneath something heavy (bed, couch etc) and pull them as far as I can and secure the waist underneath something else heavy & let them be like that for a couple of days. Sorry can't think of anything else.

kittiwoz

If you unpick the hem you can probably let them down by at least 5mm, particularly if you hem them with Wundaweb or similar since that will stop them fraying so you won't need to turn the hem over twice.

Contains_Mild_Peril

kittiwoz wrote:

If you unpick the hem you can probably let them down by at least 5mm, particularly if you hem them with Wundaweb or similar since that will stop them fraying so you won't need to turn the hem over twice.

That would work with most trousers, but jeans don't usually tend to have any spare fabric there. I'd try stretching them manually when they're still wet after next time you wash them; probably won't help, but worth a go. You could maybe get someone to help you, grab an end each and pull.

kittiwoz

I know there isn't much spare fabric but 5mm is a very small amount and there is a double turnover at the hem. If you use Wundaweb you only need one turnover so you can let them down by the width of the hem.

homersimpson_3

I suspect that I can;t do anything, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts?

Try stretching them (if stretch jeans)- better to do it when wet- or turning down hem- how faded are they? material under hem may be darker colour. if necessary dye them. if all else fails you could make demin shorts out of them or other things (e.g pencil case, bag etc )
tip for future- towel dry and then dry them with hairdryer

lynsayjane

trim 5mm off the bottom of your feet then they'll fit again :rotfl:

skintchick

Lol!!! THey aren;t stretch but that might work. I'll have to give it a go. SHame cos I love them and they were £3.99 from Oxfam so a total bargain too!!

Madmel

I'd wash them again, then hang them on the line whilst still wet, but hang them by the legs, so the weight of the waistband pulls the legs a bit.

DH said why not tie something to the belt loops to pull it even more, but I guess you still want the jeans in one piece