How to Shorten Jeans

It is so hard to find jeans that fit. Luckily, it is easy to tailor them to your size, even if you don't have a lot of sewing skill. Here is how to easily shorten jeans.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Dressmaker's chalk
• Someone to help

1. Turn the jeans inside-out.

2. Have your helper mark where the jeans hit the perfect spot on your leg. For example, if you like jeans that end at your ankle, have the helper make a mark there. If you like your jeans a little longer, mark that spot.

3. Mark another line that is two inches lower than the first line. This is your hem line.

4. Take the pants off and lay them on a flat surface.

5. Use the measuring tape to make your lines straight. Measure the amount of space between the line and the bottom of the jeans all the way around. Make sure the lines are the same length all the way around the leg.

6. Cut off the extra fabric, if there is extra, below the hem line.

7. Fold the leg twice, so that the raw edge of the fabric is inside the fold. Pin the folds and try the jeans on again. The jeans should be the proper length now, if not, adjust the pins.

8. Sew the fold down.

[kkelley89]

on 1/27/2009 Good info, I run into this problem all too often! Thanks for posting!