Tips on Hemming Pants With Original Hem

10:01 AM


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 I'm thrilled to say that my blog post Hem Jeans Fast and Easy has become very popular. In fact I'd say that it has turned into sort of a forum about hemming jeans. I never thought in a million years that that post would be so helpful to people all over the world and I want to thank everyone for sharing tips and giving great advice on the subject. Thanks to everyone who left uplifting and positive comments! There were a lot of concerns and questions about fraying and a few great solutions to that problem. I thought I would try a few sewing methods mentioned in the comments since my mom needed some new pants hemmed. Here we go!

*Update - We now have a video tutorial here!


Zig Zag Stitch-
Here we do everything exactly the same as in the original post but we go further. Add a zig zag stitch just below the seam you just sewed to help prevent fraying. (Keep in mind that any extra fabric below the zig zag stitch will fray, but once it the fray reaches the zig zag stitch it won't continue.) Cut off the extra fabric, fold over, and iron flat. You could leave it at that or go to the next option...




Zig Zag Stitch and Top Stitch-
Hem the pants just like the original post says, add a zig zag stitch just below the seam you just added. Cut off the extra fabric, fold over, iron flat, and...


 top stitch. This secures the zig zag stitch portion to the pant and prevents it from ever flipping up after you wash it. You won't have to iron after washing either. Just make sure the thread matches perfectly and keep your line straight and even.


Here's what it looks like with the top stitch. 


 When you put them on you can hardly tell there was any alteration.
*If you don't like this look then just tack the sides up.


 Fray Check-
This one was thrown out by a lot of people. This is the fastest and easiest way to prevent fraying. Just apply the fray check after you sew your first straight seam and cut off the extra fabric. Click the picture of the fray check to buy it at amazon.



Use a Serger-
I don't have a serger, but this would be a great method to use. Instead of cutting off the extra fabric, serge it. This prevents fraying and it cuts at the same time. Fabulous!

Thanks again to everyone for your words of wisdom! Love you all!


Stephanie


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Sisters Meg and Steph discovered that while living the life of poor, newlywed, college students, with fresh little babies in the middle of The Great Recession they could still have what they needed and wanted if they got to work and created things with their own hands. This mindset has saved them thousands of dollars in living expenses, and as they share their knowledge with others, the savings keeps growing.

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27 comments

  1. grandma hardingNovember 8, 2013 at 2:13 PM

    Thanks for sharing such a great tip. I have sewn for over 45 years and am excited to apply this tip! (It would have saved my machine going through all those layers of denim!) Yeah!

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  2. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommyNovember 14, 2013 at 10:26 PM

    Will have to remember this once my sewing machine is back in commission.

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  3. Laura GNovember 17, 2013 at 12:54 AM

    This is such a jeans-saver!!! I am short, as is one of my daughters, so I do a lot of hemming. She is pre-teen, and losing that neat bottom of the jeans has been a disappointment for her. Not any more! Thanks so much!

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  4. MarleneCNovember 18, 2013 at 1:01 AM

    I learned this secret after years of stitching up hems the hard way.

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  5. UnknownNovember 20, 2013 at 10:59 PM

    Love this! can you tell me where you got your slippers? I want a pair!

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  6. UnknownNovember 20, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    Can you tell me where you got your slippers? I LOVe them!

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    Replies
    1. do it yourself divasNovember 21, 2013 at 7:07 AM

      Thanks! White slippers were from Target a couple years ago. Yellow shoes, I can't remember but it's been a couple years.

      Delete
  7. birmsNovember 22, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    What does it mean to "tack up the sides?" I am a novice to sewing and am not familiar with that terminology.

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    Replies
    1. brymjNovember 25, 2013 at 12:32 PM

      If you choose not to cut the extra fabric off, 'tacking up' is hand sewing a few stitches on each side near the side hem that runs along the pant leg. (It will hold up all the extra fabric) I just trimmed extra fabric. I did a zigzag stitch like it was suggested in the tips section. Hope that helps. I just shortened my first pair of jeans today. :)

      Delete
  8. Jeanne728November 23, 2013 at 9:19 PM

    How do you hem dressier pants for women? These look pike pink corduroy jeans, They have the short 3/4 inch to 1 hem hem,

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  9. AnonymousNovember 24, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    Will this work on bootcut or flared jeans? I nromally have to shorten up to 3 inches.

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  10. AnonymousNovember 25, 2013 at 9:35 PM

    I have a sewing shop sewn over 40 years. In business 15 years, and even when the fray check is used it does NOT stop the hem from curling up when wearing them. I sew the ORIGINAL hem back into the pants. Can't even tell I hemmed them. Depends on how much you have to cut off as to if the hem will match up with the leg up higher. I charge 12.00 a pair. I sew the white thread back into the hem.

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  11. Mel MackDecember 12, 2013 at 3:50 AM

    After you cut off the excess fabric, do a row of zig zag stitching next to the edge, allowing the zig zag to go off the edge on the right. You won't lose your stitches.....they encase the raw edge and prevent further fraying. I found this out accidentally.

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  12. Ktn LadyDecember 22, 2013 at 10:36 AM

    I did this on my grandsons pants... I left the extra fabric, tacked in up in a couple places. Then he grows I can take the old hem out and let it down, adding the length needed.

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2014 at 10:13 AM

    I needed this idea when I was cutting off and hemming overhauls.. Can use this next time for hemming. thanks for sharing.. love it.

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  14. DebsFebruary 7, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    I'm excited to try this but... I need cut 31/2 inches off my pants and they are about an inch wider at the bottom then that far up. Is there any way to still make it work?

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    Replies
    1. austen1977March 14, 2014 at 10:05 PM

      You may want to try hemming the jeans like normal and then re-distressing the new hemline with sandpaper. I'm a tailor. It's a trick I often use when hemming jeans with the issue you are describing. After you distress them with the sandpaper, you will probably need to re-stitch the hem if the sandpaper ate through your original stitching. After you wash them, the new hem should look like the original.

      Delete
  15. Cindy LivingstonMarch 22, 2014 at 12:01 PM

    Not just for the short folks! I am nearly 5'9". With some brands I find the regular length to be to be too short. I am forced to get the tall length which is too long and I must hem.

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  16. Rookie in CaliMarch 31, 2014 at 4:40 PM

    I'm a rookie seamstress and have a short legged son. My problem is needles. I keep breaking them. What is the best size and/or brand?

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  17. Rookie in CaliMarch 31, 2014 at 4:42 PM

    I break needles hemming my sons jeans. I love this idea but need help on what needle I should be using. Thanks!

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  18. UnknownApril 18, 2014 at 6:05 AM

    You can buy a plastic jig that you put under the back of your pressure foot to raise the pressure foot to the level of the layers of the jeans. It works great and no more broken needles!

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  19. sewhappyjanMay 27, 2014 at 6:48 AM

    This jig works wonders, use it all the time. Another trick is to slow the machine down to a creep or turn the manually turn the needle. It takes a little bit more time but saves the time you would spend changing the needle when you break them.

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  20. ajredJune 2, 2014 at 8:13 AM

    You can buy special needles for heavy fabrics called "jeans needles." Otherwise, a size 16 usually handles denim well. If you are finding that the hem doesn't fit back on the pants leg well, you can do a little fudging with the seams. Although the outseam is usually flat felled and hard to work with, the inseam is often just serged. You can open up that one or sew it in a little deeper. Make sure you taper the change well in to the seam. If you are doing a little girl's pants, you can often hide the difference with some rick rack or lace for a cute look!

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  21. littlenailladyNovember 4, 2014 at 3:35 PM

    I do not have a sewing machine.. Can this be done hand sewn?

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  22. jdyhntSeptember 18, 2015 at 7:09 PM

    Great method for hemming!

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  23. UnknownNovember 10, 2015 at 12:02 PM

    I haven't tried this yet because the first pair I went to hem, the jeans tapered down so that the bottom is narrower than the rest. So how do you hem them when you turn them up but the original hem is smaller in circumference than where your sewing on to?

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  24. jaamenNovember 14, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    Hi, I noticed that the thread on the needle was wrapped around the needle. Is there a reason for this? Just wondering.:) Natalie

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