How to Mark a Hem

The proper hem length gives pants a more professional and tailored look. When you need to adjust the hem on a pair of pants, it's important to know how to mark them accurately. You can mark and hem a pair of pants yourself, but it helps to get a friend's help for the most accurate measurement.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tailor's chalk or a fabric marker
• Small ruler
• Straight pins

1. Try the pants on with the type of shoes you'll be wearing with them. This will give you a more accurate measurement and keep you from ending up with pants that are too short.

2. Enlist a friend to help you measure the pants while you stand on a chair or stool. You can measure the pants yourself, but it's much easier and more precise if you have someone else measure while you are standing up with a straight posture.

3. Allow the pants to drape naturally and fold the existing hem under until you have it adjusted to the desired length. Unless one of your legs is shorter than the other one, it isn't necessary to measure both legs. You'll use the same measurement for both legs.

4. Place a single mark inside of the fold with tailor's chalk or a water-soluble fabric marker. The mark is easily removable with a slightly damp cloth.

5. Remove the pants and lay them out on a flat workspace. Measure the distance from the bottom of the pants to the mark you made. Continue to measure around the entire cuff, making sure that the hem is the same length all the way around. Repeat the same process for the other leg, pinning the cuff in place as you go to prepare them for the final hemming.

Tips & Warnings

• After you have measured both legs and pinned the hem in place, try the pants on again before the final hemming.