How to Pick Thread Thickness for Hemming Pants

It can be so frustrating to finally find the perfect pair of jeans or work pants, only to try them on and find they are too long. Many people avoid buying this near perfect fit because of the hemming that may be involved. Hemming pants doesn't have to be that difficult. One of the tricks to sewing a good hem is to find the right thread thickness.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find the materials label in the pants to discover what they are made of. You need this information to choose the correct thickness of the thread so the seam will hold. Different kinds of material require different threads.

2. Choose a cotton/polyester blend of thread for most hemming jobs on pants that are made from cotton or polyester. A medium thickness thread, typically a size 50, is the best thread for most of these jobs.

3. Look for silk thread in a very fine thickness for silks and other very thin pants. This thread will be a higher number, such as 70 or 80. Always remember, the lower the number, the thicker the tread.

4. Hem jeans with a heavier thread, such as a size 40 or 30. You will also need thicker needles and a thimble to push the thread through the material. For hemming leather pants, you may want to use the thickest thread you can find, such as a size 12.