How to Cut a Triangle in the Cuffs of Jeans

Widen the leg openings in your jeans by cutting a small triangle.

While cleaning out your closet, you find a pair of your favorite old jeans that you haven't worn in quite awhile. After trying them on, you notice that the leg openings seem tapered and a bit small. Instead of having the jeans professionally adjusted, which can be costly, widen the openings yourself with fabric shears. If you enjoy cuffing your jeans, this approach works especially well, as the fold will help disguise the triangular cut you need to make.

Things You'll Need

• Chalk marker
• Fabric shears
• Needle
• Thread
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Iron

Instructions

1. Decide where you want to cut the two triangles. Most cuts are made along the side seams of the jeans, which fall around the inside and outside of the ankle.

2. Draw guiding lines onto your jeans using a chalk marker. For a wider, more flared fit, draw large triangles. For a more conspicuous cut, draw smaller triangles. All four triangles should be roughly the same size for uniformity.

3. Cut out the triangles using a pair of heavy duty fabric shears. Denim is a thick fabric, so be sure that you're using a pair of high quality shears for best results. Regular scissors or shears with dull blades can permanently damage the jeans.

4. Use a needle and thread or sewing machine to make a backstitch at the top of each triangle to prevent the cut from running up the side of the jeans.

5. Set your iron to its "Cotton" setting. Cuff your jeans as desired and iron them smooth. If the creases on your cuffs begin to loosen over time, iron them as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't attempt these steps on a new or expensive pair of jeans.

• Use caution when cutting with sharp fabric shears.

References

• Sewing.org: Choosing and Using Scissors and Shears
• Mens Fashion Tips: Is It Fashionable to Cuff Jeans?