Jeans are a popular garment in our closets, and you will not miss spotting a few people in them any day. They are stylish, comfortable, and durable clothes that hide stains very well. Jeans are also appropriate for various occasions and offer a simple, classy look when necessary. However, finding a fitting pair every time we go shopping is off the rack, you might just have to resize one so, Can You Hem Jeans?
Yes. You can hem jeans, and sewists acknowledge that it is among the most straightforward alterations you can make on the fabric. Whether you are shortening or slimming them, you can get excellent results by cutting off some material and redo the hems or doing the hems in a way that does not mandate you to cut the fabric.
Getting jeans that fit you is the perfect scenario as there are some hard-to alter areas that may not be easy to fix. However, if you got one that suits you but needs some adjustment, worry not!
Hemming will help you customize them to fit your figure nicely and reduce the stress of moving from store to store trying to replace or exchange them.
What Is the Best Way to Hem Jeans?
Often you find a pair of jeans that is too long, and you end up folding it at the bottom. It may work for you, but there is a better way to deal with the jeans’ length, hemming them. So, before you hem your jeans, you should aim at keeping the original hemlines professional and choose a technique that does not make the alteration obvious.
The best technique of hemming jeans preserves the bottom part of the parts and the original hem. It also keeps the distressed look that is always below the hem.
The method is different from the conventional way, where you fold the jeans and stitch your new hem. Therefore, please follow the following steps carefully to get a new way to hem jeans.
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Step one:
Fold the pant’s bottom until you get the desired length. Then, you can choose to pin it to hold the fold as you sew. Also, ensure that you do it lightly because you may need to adjust the length of the jeans if you find it is too short or too long. Therefore, after pinning, ensure you measure again to verify that it is the desired length.
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Step two:
Measure the inside of the folded part from the base and not include the top of the original hem. Once you have the correct measurement, divide it into two and refold the pant’s bottom using the new height.
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Step three:
Pin the side seams and the middle of the fold so that you match the folded edges. You can press lightly to enhance a crispy edge before hemming.
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Step four:
Put the jeans on a sewing machine and stitch along the bottom area right under the original hem. Please do it carefully to ensure that you get as close to the hem’s fold as possible as it gives a better look.
Experts recommend using a narrow zipper foot to make the stitch as it provides a tight hem. Additionally, keep checking where you are stitching to avoid stitching the pant’s legs together.
Remember to remove the pins as you sew to prevent the sewing needle from hitting them.
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Step five:
Flip out your jeans and try them on to see if they fit. Also, you may choose whether to cut off the folded part or leave it in case you want to lengthen or shorten the jeans again. However, if you’re going to adjust the pant’s length later, you may consider a temporal basting stitch.
NB: The above technique only works for jeans with a straight bottom, and you may want to get an alternative strategy for flared out or bell bottoms.
How Long Does It take to Hem Jeans?
For a professional sewer, 10 minutes are sufficient to get a perfect jeans hem. On the other hand, if you are beginning or learning, the stitching style and material type will determine your pace.
However, it should not turn into hours because the procedure is straightforward. Hemming a pair of pants requires you to know the tools to use, the various steps to follow, and stitches to use, and you are good to go!
If you are not confident of your hemming skills and want a quick fix, you can consult a specialist who will give you tips or offer to do it for you. Still, I suggest that you challenge yourself and learn if you are not in a hurry to get the stitch. It will help you get the desired length, and you can customize the stitch as you want to give a unique look.
Below are a few tips to help you begin hemming pants.
- Use a denim needle as it is sharper than general ones. Also, ensure that you pick higher numbers for thicker materials to prevent the needle from breaking.
- Ensure that you hold the fabric firmly while you sew it to prevent forced pulls. A tight hold will also prevent unwanted stretches and reduce the time wasted when you keep trying to have the jeans in place.
- Press open the seam allowances to separate them, especially if you are sewing across the same stitch.
- Sew as you keep both thread tails in your hand and do not pull them as it helps to avoid bird nests.
- If you are using your hands to stitch, the invisible backstitch is the best option as you can easily conceal it and get an excellent hem within a short duration. The backstitch is also durable and can compare to a sewing machine’s stitch.
How Do You Hem Jeans by Hand and Keep the Original Hem?
First, you need to know the tools that you need to get started. They include a hand sewing needle that passes through denim, sewing pins, iron and ironing board, sharp fabric scissors, and a ruler. Optional tools include a tailor’s chalk or a disappearing fabric pen to help mark the material as you sow. Also, ensure that you wash the pants if they are brand new before you begin sewing.
Follow the step-by-step guide to learn more.
- Hemming jeans by hand follows the same process in the above section, and the difference is the measuring technique and how you make the stitches. So, ensure that you fit in the pants and ensure that you mark the desired length before anything else. Then measure the hem of the jeans and double the measurement.
- Fold the jeans upwards and outwards and use a sewing marker to mark the length of the new jeans. Also, ensure that you measure that the folding measurement is the same all around the leg.
Note: Pin carefully to ensure that the side seams line up to create a professional look.
- After verifying that the fold is perfect, pick a thread that matches the pant’s color. Ensure that you cut an appropriate thread piece to avoid unnecessary tangles.
- Start sewing on a side seam because it is less visible than the rest of the area. A backstitch is the most right hem for this project as it is firm and concealable. Also, remember to use a shorter stitch length because it is stronger and more durable than long ones.
- If the thread runs out before you finish, ensure that you secure the end of the thread before you remove the needle. This step works best if you finish with your needle to the back inside the pant’s leg and remove the needle from the denim. Next, make a loop and tighten the thread. You can repeat the loops as many times as you want to secure the hems.
- Once you finish, flip up the hem and observe the backstitch below the original hem. Next, you can choose to cut off the excess fabric and stitch the open ends.
How Do You Hem Jeans Without Sewing?
The first step is always to identify the best position for your hem as it ensures that the jeans assume the most desirable height. Then it would help if you label the identified spots with a marker to help you stick to the hemline. Finally, draw another line one inch below the original line and cut off the excess fabric.
The next step is to adjust the other leg. You do not have to measure again because you can use the already cut portion. Just put the unadjusted leg on the one you have been working on, ensure that it is straightened, and cut carefully.
NB: You should ensure that the cuts are identical for both pant legs.
Measuring an inch upwards front the cut line is the next activity, and draw a straight line. Then get your heated-up iron and use it to secure your stitch line. Also, fold over the fabric over the line but ensure you measure it again to verify that it is an inch wide.
After you have folded the fabric along the hemline and pressed it, do the same thing for the other pant leg until you get similar results.
The other step is to get a fabric adhesive that should help to hold the fabric in place.
NB: Ensure that you read the product’s instructions to know how to use it, its drying time, and how you should wash and maintain the jeans.
Pour some tiny drops of the adhesive on the fabric and fold the marked areas carefully to join the pieces. Then, hold down for 45 minutes to a minute to ensure that it is secure before you let go.
Finally, turn the jeans into their right side and admire your work!
Here’s how to hem jeans without sewing:
How Do You Hem Jeans Professionally?
As you hem jeans professionally, you begin by doing a simple double-rolled hem, then roll the material twice, and press it.
Once you are satisfied with the fold, do a topstitch. It would help if you were careful to ensure that you get the right hem because one of the issues individuals have when trying to hem professionally is the stitch length.
However, it should not be an issue because it varies with your fabric thickness, and thus once you identify the nature of the material, you will have an easy time deciding how to stitch.
Identify the half an inch position run a stitch parallel to the hem. Ensure that you can see the stitches, and the smaller they are, the better. They are durable and hold the fabric tighter than long stitches.
Ensure that you do it slowly, especially if you are making short stitches to align with the original hem and form a parallel pattern.
How Do You Hem Jeans that Stretch?
Stretchy denim fabric is not easy to adjust using the sewing method because the stitches will stretch and ruin the jeans. Therefore, individuals use an iron-on adhesive that holds the excess part without any hemming.
The simple steps are;
- Get the necessary tools: a measuring tape, an iron box, an iron-on adhesive hem tape, and turn the jeans inside out. Then ensure that you align the leg you are working on and fold the excess fabric.
- Take the hem tape and put it on the top part of the cuff, and press it with the iron to allow the glue to melt. Once the pieces are intact, repeat the same process for the other pant leg and press the fold.
- Flip the jeans, and they are ready to be put on!
Stretchy denim pants are not like the ordinary clothes you put into the washing machine and forget about them. They require some special attention, and instead of washing them, put them in the freezer overnight as it kills bacteria.
However, if you still want to put the jeans in the washing machine, use the cold cycle—hot water damages the elastane, which causes the jeans to overstretch over time. Therefore, please avoid hot water to enhance the pants’ durability and attractiveness.
Additionally, you should dry the jeans by laying them flat on a surface and let them dry during the night. Tumble driers are also a bad idea for denim as the banging and the heat damage the pants.
Can You Hem Flare Jeans?
Flared jeans are a jeans’ style where they become wide from the knees and form a bell shape at the pant leg. Some people also call them bell bottoms, and they were popular during the 1960s. However, fashion never grows old, and it is not strange to find a person in flared jeans today.
Although people prefer skinny and tight jeans, some fancy bell-bottoms once in a while. If you are one of them or might know someone who wants to keep the trend alive, here are some essentials to factor in when adjusting the pants.
- Put on the jeans and measure to see where you want the hem to hit. You can have someone else help you because bending would make the pants hike up slightly, which would mess up your measurements. Also, encourage them to put a pin or a mark on the desired height, and you can consider wearing the shoes you wear with the jeans because different shoes will give a different look.
- Remove the jeans and draw a straight line across the mark using a ruler. You can choose to work on the other leg by aligning it with the adjusted piece and mark appropriately.
- Use a pair of scissors or a seam ripper to rip out the hem. Then customize your desired hem and draw your lines again.
- Determine the new hem’s width and use a marker or chalk to draw the line. Since these are flared pants, you need to take the side seams to have a proper stitch.
- Add a seam allowance after the hemline, and this creates your new cut line.
- Cut along the cut line and fold the finish line.
- Press with an iron until the fold is secure.
- Fold under the hem allowance and pin along the miter sides to ensure less bulk on the hemline.
- Sew the hem along the hemline’s edge. Ensure that you use a similar color thread to the pants. However, if you want a contrast to enhance a fancy look, go for it!
- Turn the pants and press! There you go, a perfect hem!
How Do You Hem Flare Jeans on Legs?
When considering flare jeans and adjusting them, they can choose to work on the legs or the knees. Since the flaring part begins from the knee downwards, an individual may decide to hem at the knee as they adjust the whole pant into the desired length.
Hemming flare jeans on legs are not different from the hemming we talked about in the previous sections. Once you have determined the suitable length and marked it, you should fold the fabric carefully and stitch.
If you are sewing with a machine, please consider smaller stitches as they are more firm and durable. On the other hand, if you are hemming manually, ensure that you prioritize a backstitch to conceal it after you finish hemming.
Ensure that you press the fold and hem once more and fit in the flared jeans once you finish stitching to verify that it is the correct length.
Hemming the flare jeans on the knee is a different experience altogether because you measure the excess fabric and make adjustments at the knee point. The procedures will be the same for the hemming and pressing part, but you should ensure that the stitches are as concealable as possible.
You do not want the new stitches to be evident unless the other person takes a closer look. The good thing is who will have the time to assess your jeans in a busy street?
Anyways, whether they check or not, could you not make it obvious for them? Stick to tiny stitches and take your time to perfect them. Additionally, do not forget to press the pants after the process, as it helps to reinforce the hem and secure it.
NB: Always consider the shoes you are wearing with the flare jeans as you make the adjustments. Different shoes will give you a different style and look, requiring you to adjust accordingly.
Also, if you have a friend that can help you take the measurements, it would help have accurate details. When you bend trying to measure the most suitable jeans’ length, the pants may hike upwards and compromise your readings. You do not want to guess and take chances, especially if it is a permanent adjustment.
Can You Hem Jeans With a Serger?
You can hem pants with a serger as it is not just for sewing knits. A serger works well for multiple finishing applications, and therefore if you have one, you can go ahead and hem your jeans.
Let me give you some beginner guidelines to help you understand how a serger works and how you can optimize it as you hem jeans.
- When using a serger, ensure that you are using a good quality threat whose color matches your pants’ color. However, if you want a unique look, you can go for contrasting colors. Some sellers thread their sergers, but if you get one that does not have a thread, please buy one that pleases you.
- You may consider learning to rethread from scratch instead of knotting and pulling the thread. However, this tip will work best if you are not in a hurry and you want to learn using the serger step by step. Then, when you want to finish your work faster, you can knot and pull but be careful to keep the knot from the needle’s eyes lest it breaks or bends.
- It is also suitable for you to know that a serger will not offer perfect backstitches. Therefore, it may not be a good alternative when you want small and firm stitches for your hem.
- Do not sew on pins as they damage and bend the needles. Instead, use other alternatives such as basting when using the serger. However, if you still want to pin, please sew slowly and remove them as you feed the fabric to the machine.
Conclusion
You don’t have to return your jeans to the shop every time you discover that they are not fitting. Instead, you can consider the above tips on how to hem them and end up with a perfect fit. However, ensure that the pant’s width is okay because we have only answered the question,
Can You Hem Jeans
Hemming jeans is possible and easy as long as you follow every step and ensure that you take correct measurements. You should also determine beforehand if you want to hem them permanently or temporarily. If it is a kid’s jeans, you may want to do a permanent job to allow future adjustments when they grow up.
Knowing how to hem jeans will reduce your pants hunting stress because as long as they fit your figure nicely, their length is not an issue.
