Spiky Jeans: Technique

[mishalak]

What I did was to first lay out half the spikes on the floor next to the jeans along with a yard/meter stick to figure out a good spacing. I used Levis 505 (like 501s, but with a zipper). My particular pair are 30/34s that have shrunk a bit, but still are not skin tight. I bought 40 of the little chrome spikes (don't pay more than a buck each, even for the larger ones like I used). I though it would look better visually if they were more tightly spaced as the top and more widely toward the cuff. I ended up with six spaces of about 1½ inches, four of 1¾ inches, one of 2 inches, two of 2¼ inches, five of 2½ inches, and the last being about three inches. Some of the spaces are adjusted by eye to get the right gradual progression, but I wrote down what I did on the first side so I would be able to match it on the second.

To actually put them in I used first a push pin to mark the spot and measure repeatedly from the first one I put in next to the rivet at the end of the pocket where it runs into the outside seam. After making sure the spot was were I wanted the spike to go I would pull the pin and use the very small hole in the fabric as a guide of where to work through my improvised punch. I didn't try to cut a hole in the fabric, just to work open one through the screw could be worked. To keep the spike stable the screw went through the center of the inside seam allowance (the flap of fabric inside the leg of the jeans) as well as the outer fabric of the jeans, for three layers of denim to pass through. Plus a bit of the pocket fabric at the upper end of the seam. At times it was quite hard to open a large enough hole to get the screw through. Rotating it like I was screwing it into a bit of wood seemed to help at times when there was enough of a hole started and after a bit was through I would put on the spike.

The seam allowance does not always lay all in one direction, so when I reversed the jeans I ironed it flat all in the same direction as the upper end so I didn't have to move the line of spikes from one side of the seam to the other. I used a pair of nail scissors as my improvised tool to actually open up the holes, turning them back and forth to make an opening without breaking too many threads.

To get the measurements correct I suggest hanging up the jeans (after turning them inside out) and using some sort of flexible tape measure (I happen to have one officially for sewing) and measuring from the first one put in rather than from each successive spike put in since that could lead to errors building up. Also you can mark with chalk to your heart's content without worrying on the inside of the fabric, though I found it more effective to just use the pushpin. As always measure twice, then put the hole in.

Comments

[von-krag.livejournal.com]

Hum, I guess that doing the bump in those might be ... shall we say a bit painfun for both parties.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

I haven't ever seen anyone do the bump outside movies. That's one of those '70s moves, isn't it?

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

I think maybe early 80s.

[von-krag.livejournal.com]

Hell ifIknow. I do remember it was a song and a dance kinda in the Disco era so 70-80's sounds right.

[armoire-man.livejournal.com]

The only time I've used that many screws that way was to make spiked snow tires for a my mountain bike a few years ago. They worked, though. I rode all over the place in the dead of winter, with ice all over the streets. Until I realized that it was freakin' cold out and that I didn't want to be out on a bike, like a dumbass.

So, if it's icy out, and you fall over, you'll have great traction! Way cool!

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

More importantly I'll look bad ass even if I do fall over. <grin>