How to Hem Slacks
Many people discover that the bargains they obtain on slacks are frequently accompanied by a necessary round of tailoring. Particularly for petite folks, it is not uncommon to have pants hemmed if they are simply too long but otherwise well fitting. Learn to hem your own slacks to save you both time and money on your wardrobe. Supplies required can be minimal, costing only a few dollars, and the procedure can take only a few minutes.
Things You'll Need
- Hand stitching needle
- Thread
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Measuring tape
- Straight pins
- Seam ripper
- Small scissors
Instructions
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1
Put on the slacks you are planning to hem and the shoes you will normally wear with them. If the slacks belong to someone else, have them model the pants. Determine where you would like the slacks to end. Use a straight pin to mark this spot.
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2
Turn the pants inside out, being careful not to pull out the straight pin. If you are concerned about losing the spot, you may want to use a safety pin instead of a straight pin so it doesn't move, although a safety pin may create a larger hole and cause undesired curves in the fabric. Roll up the cuff of the pants on the inside, so that the bottom of the pant is where you want your hem to be. Measure the rolled up fabric on both sides to ensure they are even.
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3
Press the bottom of the pants to create a stiff crease where the hem will be. Use an iron setting that is appropriate for the particular fabric of your slacks.
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4
Cut away any rolled up fabric that is more than 1 inch higher than the crease. This will ensure you are able to hand stitch the hem.
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Double-thread your hand needle with a thread that matches the color of your slacks. Stitch alongside the inside of the pant hem in a circle, using a zigzag stitch where the hem meets the inner pant. Make sure your stitching is shallow enough so that the stitches do not show through to the outside of the pant. If you have a sewing machine, you may want to use this instead if you have a blind hem foot and are experienced at using it.
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6
Turn the pants inside out and try them on again. If you need to adjust your hem length, use a seam ripper or small scissors to remove your previous stitching and start again.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit legs image by Astroid from Fotolia.com
