How to Alter and Shorten Jeans

Favorite pair of jeans

If you have found a pair of jeans with a great fit but are too long, you can alter the length. Altering jeans can be challenging because of the thickness of the denim, but using the right supplies can make the job easier.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine
• Measuring tape
• Dressmaker's chalk
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sturdy sewing machine needle, size 90/14 or 100/16
• Thread to match the stitching in the jeans, commonly a golden or yellow color

Instructions

1. Find a pair of your jeans that are already the correct length. Measure the inseam on the jeans with the measuring tape. Add one inch to this length.

2. Take the measurement from step 1 and measure the inseam of the new jeans. At the correct length, draw a chalk line all the way around the bottom of the jeans. Cut off the excess length of the jeans with scissors, maintaining the extra one inch.

3. Fold one half inch of the bottom of the jeans up into the inside of the pant leg, then turn it again one more half inch. Use pins to hold the new hem in place. Check both pant legs to make sure the length is even on both legs.

4. Thread the sewing machine with thread that matches the stitching on the jeans. Insert a sturdy sewing machine needle designed for denim into the sewing machine. Stitch the hem with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, removing the pins as you go.

Tips & Warnings

• Because denim is thick to stitch through, take your time with the sewing machine. Stitch slowly so that the needle can work through all layers of the denim without bending or breaking, which may damage your machine.

References

• Quiltbug.com: Choosing the Right Sewing Machine Needle