How to Hem a Pair of Dress Pants

A nice, neat hem gives your dress pants a crisp, professional look. Don't bypass that sale because the only pants available are too long. You can also go ahead and accept those hand-me-downs from your tallest cousin. With these instructions you can save time and money by measuring, cutting and sewing your own hemline by hand and without the need for a sewing machine.

Things You'll Need

• Seam ripper (optional)
• Iron
• Straight pins
• Fabric marker or tailor chalk
• Needle
• Matching thread
• Ruler
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Remove any existing hem with a seam ripper or the point of a pair of scissors.

2. Wearing your dress pants, fold up the bottom to the desired length. You will want your hem about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches deep.

3. Pin into place and remove the pants, folding them inside out.

4. Measure 1 1/2 inches down from the fold, marking the spot using tailor chalk or fabric marker.

5. Cut the excess fabric from below the marked spot.

6. Fold in the edges ¼ inch and iron with a warm iron.

7. Fold in the hem 1 inch. Pin into place and press the edge of the hem with a warm iron.

8. Begin sewing by bringing the needle between the hem and the inside of the pants.

9. Begin making small stitches 1/4 inch above the hem line, then down diagonally into the hem to form cross stitches.

10. Catch only a few threads from the pants to keep the stitches invisible from the outside.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear the shoes you plan on wearing with the dress pants when determining the length of the hem. Use only a single thread to keep the stitching as light as possible.