How to Hem Suit Pants

A pair of suit pants look ideal in a business environment or a slightly formal gathering, such as a church service, a wedding or a funeral. Hemming a pair of suit pants is a little different than hemming a pair of traditional pants. If you will be hemming your own suit pants, follow a few simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Needle
• Thread
• Pins
• Iron

1. Try on the pants without shoes. Do not attempt to hem the pants without first marking them while you are wearing them.

2. Fold the bottom edge of the pant legs up underneath. You will hem the suit pants at an angle, so you must pin them after you position them.

3. Make sure the back of the pant leg touches the ground. The front of the pant leg should rest on top of your foot. Use straight pins to secure the hem in place.

4. Remove the pants and turn them inside out. Be careful that you do not stab your finger with a pin.

5. Thread a needle with a color of thread that matches the color of your pants.

6. Working on the underside of the pants, put the needle through the top of the upper edge of the hem and through the pant leg right above the hem. Pull the needle back towards you. Continue hemming all the way around the pant leg. Hem the other pant leg the same way.

7. Turn the pants right side out. Iron the seams and the hemline flat.

Tips & Warnings

• It's okay to hem your suit pants straight across, but hemming them at an angle means the pant leg will not bunch up around the top of the shoe while you are standing.
• Make sure you only catch one or two threads on the pant leg while you are hemming, to prevent the stitch from showing on the outside of the pant leg.