Inaugural Issue · Live The Revival of Making Things Well Vol. I · No. 1 · May 2026
Field Notes from the American Rebuild

Denim Dispatch

On the revival of making things well, with denim as the lens.
The Census

The Directory

A living map of who makes denim, where, and how much of the chain is American. We map the chain, we don't grade it. When a maker sources a step abroad, that is not a mark against them. It is a measurement of how much capacity we let disappear.

Weaving is the link that broke most completely, so it is the step we hold up first.

How to read this

USAConfirmed made or woven in the USA
JapanConfirmed, sourced abroad or otherwise known
Japan?Reported but not yet verified by us
n/aStep does not apply to this maker
ConfirmedEntry verified from reporting
UnverifiedPlausible, pending our reporting

Mills & Spinning

4 entries
Mill Confirmed

Mount Vernon Mills

Trion, GA · 1845

Selvedge denim on restored White Oak Draper X3 + Picanol looms; broad denim line; heritage fabrics

CottonUSA
SpinUSA
WeaveUSA
DyeUSA
Cut & Sewn/a
Trimsn/a
Premium (selvedge)Scaling / live homecoming
The headline. Brought the White Oak looms home in 2026; first US industrial selvedge in years. Profile #1, interview #1.
Sources: 1 2 3
Mill Confirmed

Cone Denim

USA / global ops · 1891

Denim including selvedge; historic American denim name (Proximity, White Oak lineage)

Cottonunconfirmed
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveMexico / China
DyeMexico / Ch…?
Cut & Sewn/a
Trimsn/a
PremiumNeeds verify
After White Oak in Greensboro, NC closed in 2017, Cone weaves its denim in Mexico and China, and markets its Jiaxing, China selvedge as a continuation of its American heritage. The iconic name, now woven offshore.
Sources: 1 2
Mill (defunct) Confirmed

Vidalia Mills

Vidalia, LA · ~2018

Rope-dyed ring-spun selvedge; briefly ran the White Oak Draper looms; pitched farm-to-shelf

CottonUSA
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveUSA
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewOffered integ…
Trimsn/a
PremiumCollapsed (sheriff's sale)
The cautionary tale. Held the looms, then failed. The post-mortem (why?) is as instructive as the success stories.
Spinner/Mill Confirmed

Parkdale Mills

Gastonia, NC · 1916

Yarn/spinning at large scale; vertically integrated cotton-to-yarn; supplies broader textile chain

CottonUSA?
SpinUSA
Weaven/a
Dyen/a
Cut & Sewn/a
Trimsn/a
n/a (B2B)Active
The spinning link. Yarn is an under-covered but essential domestic step. Confirm denim relevance.
Sources: 1 2

Vertical Brands

2 entries
Vertical brand Confirmed

American Giant

San Francisco, CA (HQ); NC/SC/CA mfg · 2011

Decentralized US production coordinating knitting, dyeing, sewing across multiple states

Cottonunconfirmed
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveUSA
DyeUSA
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
Premium-accessibleActive / scaling
The scale-with-principles model. How far can domestic vertical integration go at real volume?
Sources: 1
Vertical brand Confirmed

Origin (Origin USA)

Farmington, ME (HQ); Asheboro, NC · 2011 (denim 2019)

Denim woven for it at Mount Vernon (GA), then cut and sewn in its own North Carolina factories at volume. Workwear, performance-stretch and heritage jeans; also boots and BJJ gis.…

CottonUSA
SpinUSA
WeaveUSA
DyeUSA
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsclaims US c…?
Value-mid ($76-128)Active / scaling
Often called fully vertical, but the precise picture is stronger journalism: Origin's denim is woven domestically at Mount Vernon Mills in Georgia, and Origin cuts and sews it in its own North Carolina factories, at vol…
Sources: 1 2

Brands (Cut & Sew)

8 entries
Brand (cut & sew) Confirmed

Gustin

San Francisco / CA mfg · ~2013

Raw selvedge + exotic fabrics; crowdfunded, true wholesale; chain stitch, flat-felled inseams

CottonVaries w/ fab…
SpinVaries
WeaveJapan / US
DyeVaries
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsorigin?
Value-premium (<$170)Active (established)
The demand-side answer to the cost problem. Crowdfunding de-risks domestic production economics. Pairs with Mount Vernon as supply/demand halves.
Sources: 1 2
Brand (cut & sew) Confirmed

Raleigh Denim Workshop

Raleigh, NC · 2007

Small-batch, hand-finished jeans; craft-forward attention to detail

Cottonunconfirmed
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveUSA / Japan
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
PremiumActive
Small-batch craft archetype. Strong profile/interview candidate.
Sources: 1 2
Brand (cut & sew) Confirmed

Tellason

San Francisco, CA · 2008

Selvedge jeans, made in USA; historically Cone White Oak fabric

Cottonunconfirmed
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveJapan , forme…
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
TrimsUSA
PremiumActive
Classic SF made-in-USA label; White Oak history makes them part of the loom story.
Sources: 1 2
Brand (cut & sew) Confirmed

Imogene + Willie

Nashville, TN; Los Angeles, CA (sewing) · 2009

Premium denim and apparel; heritage retail experience

CottonUSA?
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveUSA
DyeUSA?
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
PremiumActive
Cultural touchstone of the modern American denim revival; personal-resonance story for the brand.
Sources: 1 2
Brand (cut & sew) Confirmed

Texas Jeans

North Carolina · n/a

Affordable USA-made jeans; value positioning

CottonUSA?
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveUSA?
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
ValueCeased production (2024)
The affordability case for made-in-USA, woven at Mount Vernon and sewn in Asheboro. Production was halted in early 2024, so it now reads as a cautionary data point on how thin the margins are.
Sources: 1 2
Brand (cut & sew) Confirmed

All American Clothing Co.

Ohio · ~2002

Durable work-friendly denim; traceability ('where's my cotton') focus

CottonUSA?
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveUSA?
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
Value-midActive
Workwear + cotton traceability. The transparency story made literal.
Sources: 1 2
Brand (cut & sew) Confirmed

Ginew

USA · ~2014

Native-owned premium denim/workwear; vocal about the domestic cost challenge

CottonUSA?
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveUSA / Japan
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
PremiumActive
Native-owned, premium, and candid about why made-in-USA is hard. A truth-teller voice for the cost story.
Sources: 1 2
Brand (cut & sew) Confirmed

Crawford Denim

California · ~2012

Small-batch; uses deadstock/overstock fabric from LA rag houses

CottonVaries
SpinVaries
WeaveDeadstock?
DyeVaries
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
PremiumActive (12+ yrs)
The deadstock workaround. Shows how small makers survive the domestic fabric scarcity directly.
Sources: 1 2

Bespoke & Made to Measure

7 entries
Made-to-measure (bespoke) Confirmed

Atlantic Standard

Brooklyn, NY · n/a

Bespoke jeans sewn on vintage Singer, Union Special & Reece machines; choice of fabric, patch, zip/buttons, thread, rivet

CottonVaries by f…?
SpinJapan?
WeaveJapan
DyeJapan?
Cut & SewUSA
TrimsCustomer-ch…?
Premium (bespoke)Active (boutique)
The true-bespoke ideal: American hands, vintage machines, every component chosen. The 'so damn cool' archetype.
Sources: 1 2
Made-to-measure (bespoke) Confirmed

Native Denims

Dublin, Ireland · n/a

Studio visit + measurement; hand-made by a Master Maker; 100+ denims, vintage construction, selvedge/raw/stretch

CottonImported
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveItaly / Jap…?
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewIreland
Trimsunconfirmed
Premium (bespoke)Active (boutique)
Hand-made bespoke denim by a single master maker, but the studio is in Dublin, Ireland, not the USA as the listing assumed. A reminder to check the address before the flag.
Sources: 1 2
Made-to-measure (bespoke) Confirmed

Jack & Jeff Denim Co.

Harrisburg, PA · n/a

In-person measurement (Harrisburg metro or client location), pattern made to you, test fitting before final cut

Cottonunconfirmed
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveJapan?
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
Premium (bespoke)Active (boutique)
Real in-person, pattern-and-toile bespoke process. The intimate, local model the thesis says domestic does best.
Sources: 1 2
Made-to-measure (bespoke) Confirmed

Michael Andrews Bespoke

New York, NY · n/a

Custom jeans/chinos to exact measurements; pattern kept on file; hundreds of fabrics incl. Japanese selvedge; from $445

CottonImported
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveJapan / oth…?
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
Premium ($445+)Active
Established NYC bespoke house extending tailoring into denim. Pattern-on-file repeat model.
Sources: 1
Made-to-measure (bespoke) Confirmed

Williamsburg Garment Co.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY · 2011

Denim specialist (founder Maurice Malone); ~15% custom orders; selvedge options; Black-owned

CottonVaries by f…?
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveJapan / Italy…
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
Premium ($400-550+)Active
Designer-led, partly custom, storied founder. A profile rich in person and history.
Sources: 1 2
Made-to-measure (offshore) Confirmed

Sumissura / Hockerty

Online (mfg overseas) · n/a

Online 3D configurator, made-to-order; tailors cut on order; broad fit/detail customization

CottonImported
SpinImported
WeaveImported
DyeImported
Cut & SewChina
TrimsOverseas
MidActive (large)
The asterisk: true made-to-measure FIT, but sewn overseas. Belongs on the map to show custom-fit is not the same as American-made.
Sources: 1 2
Made-to-measure (bespoke) Confirmed

Fitted Underground

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY · 2014

Custom and made-to-measure selvedge jeans, shirts and jackets, cut and sewn to the wearer's measurements in one Williamsburg workshop. Self-taught founder Eric Steffen, est. 2014.

Cottonunconfirmed
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveJapan
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
Premium (bespoke)Active
American hands, Japanese cloth, in one Williamsburg building. 'Not outsourced. Not shipped overseas.' Founder Eric Steffen taught himself the trade and builds custom-fit jeans from the ground up, the bespoke model the t…
Sources: 1 2 3

Made to Order

3 entries
Made-to-order (domestic) Confirmed

Todd Shelton

East Rutherford, NJ · n/a

Made-in-own-factory jeans; fit-customization model

Cottonunconfirmed
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveJapan / Ita…?
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
PremiumActive
Owns its factory, a rarity. Direct, transparent, fit-focused. Good model-contrast profile.
Sources: 1 2
Made-to-order (domestic) Confirmed

Blue Delta Jeans

Mississippi · ~2012

Custom-fit, made-to-measure jeans to the wearer's exact measurements

Cottonunconfirmed
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveUSA / Italy…
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUSA
Trimsunconfirmed
Premium (bespoke)Active
The bespoke-fit angle. Custom measurement as a domestic value proposition.
Sources: 1 2
Made-to-order (offshore) Confirmed

Sene (Sene Studio)

Los Angeles, CA · 2019

Online custom-fit jeans + made-to-order US tees; algorithmic fit; collab denim collections

Cottonunconfirmed
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveJapan
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewChina
Trimsunconfirmed
PremiumActive
Custom-fit jeans designed in Los Angeles, but the jeans themselves are sewn by a manufacturing partner in China (only its tees are US-made). On the map as custom-fit, not American-made.
Sources: 1 2

Teachers Abroad

7 entries
Mill (teacher) Confirmed

Kaihara

Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan · 1893

World-leading selvedge denim mill; vertically integrated dyeing/weaving

CottonImported
SpinJapan
WeaveJapan
DyeJapan
Cut & Sewn/a
Trimsn/a
PremiumActive (global standard)
A global standard-bearer. Covered as a master to learn from, per the honesty principle.
Sources: 1 2
Mill (teacher) Confirmed

Kuroki

Japan (Okayama) · 1950

Heritage Japanese denim mill; rope-dyed selvedge

CottonImported?
SpinOutsourced?
WeaveJapan
DyeJapan
Cut & Sewn/a
Trimsn/a
PremiumActive
Okayama mastery. Teaches what mature, uninterrupted craft capacity looks like.
Sources: 1 2
Mill/brand (teacher) Confirmed

Collect (Japan Blue)

Japan (Kojima) · 1992

Selvedge weaving + own brands (Japan Blue, Momotaro)

CottonImported
SpinJapan
WeaveJapan
DyeJapan
Cut & SewJapan?
TrimsJapan
PremiumActive
Kojima vertical model: mill + brand under one roof. A blueprint for integration.
Sources: 1 2
Brand/mill (teacher) Confirmed

John Bull

Japan · n/a

Bought vintage US looms dumped in the 1960s; high-quality selvedge ever since

CottonImported
SpinJapan
WeaveNot a weaver?
DyeJapan
Cut & SewJapan
TrimsJapan
PremiumActive
A cut-and-sew house in Kojima, Okayama (founded 1952), not a weaving mill. We checked the romantic story that it runs the vintage American looms the US dumped in the 1960s and could not substantiate it: Japanese selvedg…
Sources: 1 2
Brand (teacher, UK) Confirmed

Blackhorse Lane Ateliers

London, UK · 2016

London-made selvedge and organic jeans; repair-for-life ethos

CottonImported
Spinunconfirmed
WeaveJapan / Italy
Dyeunconfirmed
Cut & SewUK
TrimsYKK / UK / Tu…
PremiumActive
The UK revival parallel. Shows another country rebuilding craft, with a lifetime-repair model worth borrowing.
Sources: 1 2
Hardware (teacher) Confirmed

Spring '85

Italy · 1985

Press/jeans buttons, rivets, hooks; entirely Made in Italy; custom logo hardware

Cottonn/a
Spinn/a
Weaven/a
Dyen/a
Cut & Sewn/a
TrimsItaly
n/a (B2B)Active
Foreign incumbent / teacher. Shows the craft-hardware capacity that thrives abroad. Jacob Davis irony: rivet was a US invention.
Sources: 1
Hardware (teacher) Confirmed

Timay & Tempo

Turkey · n/a

Buttons, rivets and trims; OEKO-TEX certified; supplies global denim brands

Cottonn/a
Spinn/a
Weaven/a
Dyen/a
Cut & Sewn/a
TrimsTurkey
n/a (B2B)Active
Major global trims supplier. Represents how offshored the hardware link is, even for sustainability-forward brands.
Sources: 1

Hardware & Trims

2 entries
Hardware (US) Unverified

Scovill Fasteners

Clarkesville, GA · 1802

Jeans rivets, buttons, fasteners, zippers for jeanswear; long-standing US trims supplier

Cottonn/a
Spinn/a
Weaven/a
Dyen/a
Cut & Sewn/a
TrimsUSA?
n/a (B2B)Active
Now Morito Scovill Americas, owned by Japan's Morito. It self-reports up to 80 million American-made fasteners a week at Clarkesville, GA (Berry-compliant, with a CAGE code), but it also runs Asian and Mexican plants, a…
Sources: 1 2
Hardware (US) Confirmed

YKK (US operations)

Lawrenceburg, KY (US ops) · 1934 (JP); US ops decades

Buttons, rivets & zippers forged in Kentucky; supplies traceability-minded US denim brands (Taylor Stitch, Bluer)

Cottonn/a
Spinn/a
Weaven/a
Dyen/a
Cut & Sewn/a
TrimsUSA
n/a (B2B)Active
Confirmed making jeans hardware (buttons/rivets/zips) in Lawrenceburg, KY. Japanese-owned co running one of the last domestic hardware lines, an echo of the whole thesis. The answer to 'who still makes a jeans button he…
Sources: 1 2
A note on method Every entry carries a reporting status. Confirmed means we verified it from trade reporting or a primary source. Unverified means it is plausible and widely repeated but not yet confirmed by us, so we never present it as fact. As we do our own reporting, brand by brand, the unverified marks turn into confirmed ones. That is the work. This directory is the starting line, not the finished record.
The Dispatch, by post

Field notes on the people rebuilding American denim. Sent when there is something worth sending.

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