Yesterday I needed to shorten a pair, so I took a few photos. It’s crazy simple. The only trick is measuring correctly.
Tuck a straight pin along the desired hem length. This is the line that you will stitch along. With pants right side out, fold up the existing hem to just above that pinned line. Stitch just above the current hem’s fold. Iron the fold to keep the fabric in position as you sew around each pantleg.
Once sewn, fold the bulk up into the pantleg and press with an iron.
Turn pants inside out and stitch either by hand or machine the fold under sections to the side seams to keep them from dropping down.
I find that that extra thickness at the bottom of my jeans actually holds a nice open flare to them.
Didn’t I tell you it was going to be easy?
37 comments:
I wish it were so easy to LENGTHEN jeans! :)
Wow! I can't believe there's no cutting involved. If the legs are flared at the bottom, does the folded part want to pucker inside?
Great tip and super easy, however I wish it worked the opposite way. Though Lucky Jeans actually seem to be the perfect length every time for me...maybe i'm just 'lucky'. ;0) Blessings, Katy
I just learned how to do this a couple months ago and LOVE IT! I didn't know the trick about sewing along the side seams so it doesn't fall down. I'll definetly be using that next time.
Yes, I would love a tip on how to lengthen jeans and trousers too lol
Pam, great question! That could definitely happen if the jeans are quite flared. Mine weren't that much at all and weren't being folded over enough for that to happen.
I was just about to take a pair of pants to the tailors to do just this. So i think I'll try it myself. The great news is, if I mess up, I can just unpick it! Thanks!
This is brilliant! I am taller than "average" but shorter than "tall" - so sometimes I end up with tall jeans that either need way-high heels (not happenin') or this magic treatment. Thanks for the show-how. Btw, I have 2 empty white marmalade jars- would you like them?
-Vicki K.
Being a short girl myself (5 ft 0 inches) I have a difficult time finding jeans that fit in the length as well. So basically...fold up, fold down and sew?
Vicki K- Fun, I'd love the jars. Email me and let's talk!
undomesticated, that would be:
Fold up
Sew
Turn
Press
Tack
: )
Thanks so much for this tip! I too am short (slightly over five feet) and I can NEVER find a pair of pants that actually fit me properly! Even petite is slightly too long. :(
Certainly an easy way to do a pain in the rear chore. I think for me, I would cut that bulk right out of there and finish the raw edge to prevent raveling. I like the idea of keeping that original bottom hem intact.
Thanks for the tip!
Ellen
Your blogg is so nice!!!
Agneta from Sweden
This is how I hem my jeans (it's impossible to find jeans for my 5 foot height) but the bulk always bothers me, so I cut it out rather than sew it up. Just a suggestion for those who it annoys!
Now why didn't my mother think of that...she does all of my alterations because I don't sew ;o)
I will definitely have to show her this post.
Thanks for sharing!
very cool!
Unfortunately , being 5 foot 11 , yep I need the magic lengthener too!
Helen
Is there anything you can't do?! I'm so impressed.
Lesley
Thanks for the help! I am well, very short. And I am always taking it to get hemmed b/c I don't want them to look cheap. But I think I just might be able to pull this off!
Thanks for sharing!
Neat trick, glad you shared, I have kids who have to have their jeans shortened! Thanks, Karen
Oh my dear friend, where have you been all of my life? At 5'2" I always have to hem my pants. I can't believe I hadn't thought of that one. That is amazing. I think you just made my week, heck maybe even my year!
Now I have completed a pair of flared jeans using this method. They look really great. With a small percentage of spandex in my jeans they do not seem to be puckering inside.
But my new query is whether a new 'wear-line' will develop where the fold of the jean is underneath. The amount of jean shortened is about 3/4". If I were to cut the bulk out, then will that also develop a wear line?
In any case, it's still brilliant.
Great trick! I'm tall though and usually need MORE jeans not less:-)
That was easy! I'm tall, so I never have to hem. I have to find things that are long enough. That can be tricky.
What a nifty trick! Have to remember this one. :)
wow - thank you for this!! i actually have a pair that needs hemming, but i've been putting off going somewhere to have it done - time to try my hand at it!
Hi Cathe :)
I found you through Julia (Hooked on houses) and I loved your creative space so much, I've been checking out your blog. Love it! You have great ideas :)
rue
That's a great tip! My jeans are always too long. Apparently, if you're a size 10, you better be 5'10" LOL!
I may have to give this a shot!
Love this! I blogged about your post today! http://tidymomof2.blogspot.com/2009/06/linky-love-6-12-09.html
~TidyMom
I have this problem all the time too and usually just end up walking on the extra length!
Thanks for sharing this!
Oh, THANK YOU so much for this, it's just what I need!! I have not yet EVER bought a pair of jeans with legs short enough to look good on me. Wow, had I only knew before it can be this simple it would have saved me hours of measuring, cutting, fighting, muttering and drinking too many cups of coffee trying to keep my brain functioning while shortening the legs of several pairs of jeans! Once again, thanks!!!!
Thanks so much! I'm going to try today
Amazing! I've been hemming pants for years (I'm 5' 1"). This is AWESOME! Thanks!!
Thank you So much for sharing this...I have a pair of Sevens I got cheap at Costco but they are WAY too long. I was afraid to take them somewhere to get hemmed because I HATE those hemmed jeans that are just folded and sewn. Yuck!!! Now I can do it myself. Yea! :) BTW, just found your blog...love it!
I know you posted this last summer, but I've been using this technique since then. I just blogged about it and linked back to you.
http://craftevangelist.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-i-patch-hem-jeans.html
I'm trying so very hard to get this, but I can't. How is it the original hem is left?
Hi Melanie. The original hem, (the yellow thread with the distressed edging) is left hanging below the altered/sewn-up section that I stitched. So, just above the original hem(yellow stitching,) you can see the folded back area that I sewed and ironed flat. Does that help?
This brilliant. I have a pair of Buckle jeans that are completely tattered on the ends because I was too impatient to wait for the tailoring. From now on I'm doing this! Thanks for the super-simple tutorial!
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