Foo - Is it worth repairing old Levis?

Regular 501s....and they were too big for me anyway.

Since they don't make 'em in the US of A anymore, and these are older ones from about 5-10 years ago (big deal, but still) I am thinking of having a drycleaners take them in along the crotch and seat (they wore out along the seam, from cycling, no doubt). This would repair the hole and make them fit smaller...assuming they even can do this or ae willing, and not sure how much it costs....over $25 and I'd say it might be too expensive.

The rest of the pants are okay - medium fade. Not close to being blown out at the knees yet.

I never used to do this, i'd just throw 'em out when they ripped/wore out in the crotch or seat (actually i used to wear out the knees and thighs first, I guess I am just riding more now). Would you do this, or is it just a waste of money?

Worth it if they'll do it cheaply, but that may not be likely. Before fretting too much over it, call or take in to get an estimate. You might find they'll want too much and not have to look further.

It will be over $25 for a quality repair, and you'll end up with a pair of pants you can't fit into any longer. If they're worn at the heavy seam along the centerline, they'll have to open that seam and take in enough fabric from either side of the damaged area to make another flatlocked double-fold.
Say the damaged area is 1/4" of material on either side, so you're up to 1/2" of take just to get to good, sewable fabric. Now you need another 1/4" from either side for the foldover, so you're taking in 1" of material.
If they're 501s from long ago, they're shrink-to-fit, so unless you've lost a bunch of weight, these pants are going to end up being the most uncomfortable Iggy Pop lookin' nutcrushers you've ever tried to shoehorn yourself into.

I've been wearing them, they're at least one waist size too big and are much longer than I needed (I bought used and had them hemmed), so they are super baggy in the butt and thighs.

I'm not too worried about them being too small, just that it's poor value to repair. I just hate throwing out work pants that otherwise have a lot of life left in them...I wish I had a sewing machine (and knew how to use one!)

I'm not too worried about them being too small, just that it's poor value to repair. I just hate throwing out work pants that otherwise have a lot of life left in them...I wish I had a sewing machine (and knew how to use one!)

You can buy a new pair and get another 7 years out of them for the same price it would cost to repair the current ones. Repairs would likely not last you another 7 years.

thinking of having a drycleaners do some tailoring work

do you happen to get your bike fixed by the pizza guy?

do you happen to get your bike fixed by the pizza guy?

It's a reasonable statement, since many drycleaning shops employ an alterationist.

do you happen to get your bike fixed by the pizza guy?

Nearly all dry cleaning places I've been to offer tailoring/alteration services.

Nearly all dry cleaning places I've been to offer tailoring/alteration services.

Alterations, yes. Tailoring, no. You're not going to get a made-to-measure suit at the drycleaners.

Semi-related question: are you not buying new ones because you just don't like the fact that they're made in Chile and you're being patriotic, or because they are lesser quality?? I used to work at a huge western clothing store in high school and dealt with several long-term 501 wearers, and they would sometimes blow a gasket after i searched through 15 pairs of jeans and they were all made in Mexico. Then came the ear-full of why it was Bush's fault... Honest question, just curious...

no, the new imported ones are ok (from a quality standpoint-aside from the slave labor issues-)...I do think the Usa ones were better, at least going back several years.

I just hate tossing them when it's just one little area that ripped

It's a reasonable statement, since many drycleaning shops employ an alterationist.

Yeah I know; it just amused me that he specified "drycleaners" as where he'd get it done (when the where wasn't strictly necessary information).

There's a pizza place next to my LBS, so I could conceivably "drop my bike in for a service and grab a pizza", though depending on context the pizza bit may not be relevant. Would amuse me just as much though. ;)

Get an estimate, or just patch 'em up with the most outrageous fabric you can find. Or just donate or recycle to someone you know who sews. My friend makes pretty warm quilts out of old blue jeans, and they can be turned into bags as well, among other things.

no.

You should just stitch in a chamois! Why not?

Donate them to a charity.

All my old clothes are given to a a no kill cat shelter. They are turned into cat food by means of a garage sale.

thanks for the input, everyone. I decided i'd donate them to a textile recycler nearby

these pants are going to end up being the most uncomfortable Iggy Pop lookin' nutcrushers you've ever tried to shoehorn yourself into.
You say that like it's a bad thing.