Altering a jeans hem length and keeping the original hem intact is really fast and easy to do. It's one of those projects you can knock out in 10 mins or less. I learned how to do it when I first learned to sew since most of my pants are too long.
My legs are shorter than the average, I suppose. These days, I wear most of my jeans tucked under or over as a temporary solution.
Yesterday, I was hit with the sewing bug and worked on a pair that was already prepped.
Normally, you have to try on, pin and measure before making hemline adjustments. I've been folding the bottom of these jeans so long they have a permanent crease so I used it as my guide.
Jeans Hem Tutorial
Step #1: Pinch pant leg between crease mark and lower hem of jeans. Tuck excess fabric in and up (toward waist).
Step #2: Pin around pant leg. This is a good place to try them on again to make sure they are the right length.
Step #3: Sew around leg with thread that is the same color as original hem. You should sew a seam as close to original hem as possible.
Step #4: Cut excess fabric away. I didn't do this step because I'm lazy and the excess fabric wasn't very much. If you have a big hunk of fabric inside you definitely want to cut it down and clean it up with a zig-zag stitch.
I have one pair down and many more to go! The going rate for a jeans hem in my neighborhood is $20. I'm certainly not going to pay that much when the jeans were $5 (or less) at the thrift!
Do you alter your jeans?
I learned this trick in my apparel construction classes in college. I have my own sewing machine, but I don't use it much. This made me want to go to my fabric store and start a project.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI needed this post! Thanks!
DeleteYou know, I just might try this. Thanks for the clear pics : )
ReplyDeleteMy mom usually alters all my clothes. She's a fab seamstress. However, I think I could do this myself. I have a sewing machine but the poor thing gets little attention from me, lol. Great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteyou did a great job with these, they look great!!
ReplyDeleteI need to learn how to use a sewing machine, great job on the hem job.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I can't find my sewing machine since we moved to ATL.....still unpacking, hope it turns up.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, will be doing this!
ReplyDelete