Weekend Review: Jean Genius

 

Jean Genius / Janelle Hanna
Skittledog, c2025.
160 p.

This interesting new book was one that showed up in my library. It's quite a clever one, with great aesthetics. If someone loves denim and has a lot of it, this is a look at the "slow denim" movement, exactly as the title says: repair, restyle, repurpose. 

The book begins with a bit of a history of denim, indigo, and the ecological footprint of a pair of jeans. So encouraging people to think more sustainably about their jeans. Then it moves on to know-how -- deconstructing jeans for maximal use, sewing tips for denim and so on. Next we have a section on repair (darning, patching, hemming), one on restyling (adding side seam inserts, making shorts or skirts), and then repurposing (bags, hats, slippers, patchwork). 

It's laid out in a clear manner, with tons of large photos of jeans, each finished project and all the steps. The instructions for each project include photos and step by step text, alongside a skill rating, how long the project is estimated to take, and the supplies needed (ie: a waistband from an old pair of jeans, certain amount of fabric etc). While some of the projects seem basic or common, there are options given even for easy ones, and lots of inspiration photos to get you going. 

The repurpose projects are a little different - while they are common accessories and household items, they have a fresh edge and the way the author combines varied colours and tones of denim is really attractive. The patchwork section is helpful with technique for a simple panel that can then be used for anything - pillows, throws, clothing. 

This is an attractive book, well put together, with enough to interest a casual reader as well as one ready to tackle that pile of old jeans. There is also a further resources section at the end with some books, websites and podcasts to follow up your reading. Although I personally don't have a lot of jeans (I hardly wear pants) I can see how this book could be useful to those who have tons to use up! Visually, it's really appealing and I enjoyed going through it.