the tested production denim and inspected for quality and fit. Phase 4: Next they have a pattern maker do all the marking and grading for the style they have created. This means they have each size of that style of jean turned into its own individual pattern. Phase 5: Production run. Each jean is made up of 21 individua lly cut pieces that are sewn together in a 39-step process, which includes size tabs, care labels, buttons, rivets and so forth. After the ‘raw’ jean is completed, it is trimmed and inspected, then sorted by size. Phase 6: Washing and aging. Depending on the particular style of jean, some go to a washhouse across town to give them their “worn-in feel.” The techniques for accomplishing the desired wash are virtually endless and can vary between hand and machine made. Phase 7: After the washing process is complete the jeans are packed on a truck and sent back to the factory for sorting and final inspection. Then they are pressed and all the hangtags are applied. The jeans are then folded, bagged, sealed and boxed before being shipped to retailers. The tour of the facility ends where the boxes of finished product are waiting to be picked up by shipping trucks and sent off to a Nordstrom’s retailer near you. Steve and James smile proudly as they’ve just finished showing me the entire process a piece of denim fabric goes through to become a quality pair of jeans.
No. 049 THE STNDRD LIFESTYLE - SUMMER 2013
Resized 9.00004 by 11.0 to 9.0 by 10.875 and Adjusted to 98.8% Vertical and 100% Horizontal
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