How to Hem Jeans Professionally
While many jeans are designed and sold according to both waist size and length, others are designed more generally, with a set length that is determined by the waist size. Such jeans are usually labelled with a single numerical size. This can cause problems for people whose bodies don't fall into the general measurements by which the jeans have been designed. Many consumers find themselves with pants that fit at the waist but are too long. Taking your jeans to tailors and seamstresses can be costly, especially if you have several pairs that need to be altered. However, with a sewing machine and some attention to detail, you can hem your jeans at home so that they look professionally done. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Jeans that are too long
- Sewing machine
- Upholstery or jean thread
- 14/90 or 16/100 or 18/110 jeans needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Pins
- Iron
- Ironing board
Instructions
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1
Put on the jeans you wish to hem. If possible, wear the shoes you will most frequently wear with the jeans. Find someone to assist you since it is difficult to stand up straight while pinning your own pants.
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2
Having assistance at this stage is extremely helpful. Decide how much length you wish to remove. Have someone assist you by measuring the exact length you wish to remove, then placing pins to mark where the new hem should be made.
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3
Take off the jeans, but be careful to not disturb the pins or to scratch yourself with them. Set up your sewing machine and assemble your thread and needles.
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4
Measure the length again, using the measurement your assistant took in Step 2. Adjust the pins if necessary so that the hem will be even all the way around each leg.
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5
Cut off the excess fabric, but leave 1 inch below the new hemline.
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6
Fold the inch of fabric below the new hem in half and then iron it to make it lie flat. Then fold it in half again and iron once more.
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7
Begin sewing the top of the new hem near the inseam of the jeans. Gently guide the sewing machine over the inseam, being careful to not break the needle where the fabric becomes thick. If the inseam is especially thick with the new hem, use your iron to help flatten it.
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8
Sew the bottom of the hem as well, if two seam lines are desired.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You will be using a hot iron. Take precautions to avoid burning yourself.
Pins and sewing machine needles can cause scratches or cuts if used without care.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
