Let’s do something different this time! I’ve got a guest blog post for you written by Sarah Duke from JustToSew. It’s about hemming jeans.
I know many of you likes to wear jeans so this tutorial will surely be useful.
How to Hem Jeans by Hand
Jeans are a wardrobe staple for almost everyone. They look great with many outfits and can be styled up or down. However, with so many sizes and style varieties, finding the correct pair might be difficult. Imagine having a great pair of jeans but the length of it isn’t quite your size. Worry not! there are many ways to solve such an issue.
You can hem your favorite jeans using a sewing machine. Moreover, hemming by sewing machine is faster and more convenient. In case you do not have a sewing machine available, you can hem by hand too.
However, it might take a little more of your time. That is to say, it is a DIY project that would take about an hour and as a result, you will have great-looking jeans that fit you perfectly. Furthermore, it feels good knowing should you ever need to change the look of your jeans or shorten any clothing, you can always help yourself.
Tools Required for Hemming
The first step to hemming your jeans is gathering the tools you would require. Following is a list of almost all the tools you would need for this little project.
- Jeans (the one that needs hemming)
- Scissors (for cutting but if you want to keep the original hem, you might not need them)
- Sewing thread
- Needles
- Straight pins (or ball pins)
- Chalk (for marking the hem)
- Measuring tape
Step-by-Step Hemming of Jeans
- Measuring the Jeans
Measure the inseam of the pants that are a perfect length. Inseam is the distance between the top of the crotch to the bottom of the pant leg. Regardless of which method you use, sewing machine or by hand, this is the first thing you need to do.
Once you know the inseam, subtract that number from the inseam of the jeans that you need to shorten. This will give you the length that you need to cut or fold.
For example, if your inseam is 30 inches and the jeans are currently 32 inches, you will need to remove two inches of fabric from the jeans.
- Marking the Hem
Once you know the desired length you want to have on your jeans, using a ruler and chalk or a fabric marker, mark the new hem placement. If you are using a sewing machine, you can also place ball pins on the markings and then sew around the pins later. Pins give the fabric a little sturdiness so the fabric isn’t floppy when you sew.
- Thread the Needle with Sewing Thread
You need to thread the needle if you are sewing by hand. Put the sewing thread in the needle hole. To make the stitch look invisible, try matching the color of the thread to the color of the fabric as closely as possible. The matching thread would give a neat finish.
- Sew/Stitch the Marked Area
An invisible backstitch is the best stitching option for hand stitching. Since this stitch will not be visible, perfection is not necessary. It is as strong as the stitch of a machine would last long just as much.
Make sure you sew a few extra stitches along the edges of both legs at the start and the end to make the stitches sturdier. To finish the hem, trim all stray threads and press with an iron.
- Iron to Crease
Ironing the hem presses it down and removes any unwanted tiny folds that the stitches might cause. This is the last step you will be doing.
Once you’re done with all these steps, your perfect-sized jeans would be ready to wear.
Hemming with a Sewing machine
Hemming with a sewing machine is similar to hemming by hand except that you would require lesser tools (a sewing machine and tools for marking) and would not need to stitch by hand. You can put the fabric under the sewing needle of the sewing machine and stitch it around the markings.
Furthermore, any good sewing machine could be used for this task but if you want a good quality sturdy stitch with a fine finish, Singers Sewing machines are the best option. They come in a variety of designs and some are multi-functional as well.
Conclusion
Hemming jeans by hand could be a fun DIY activity and does not take a lot of time. If you want to save more time you can use a sewing machine. If knowing all the tips/useful info we’ve provided you with, you’re still puzzled about what to look for when shopping, here’s a nice singer sewing machines review.
About the Author
Sarah Duke is an accomplished seamstress and tailor. She has a passion for sewing and takes great pride in her work. Sarah loves working with fabrics of all types, and her creations are always well-made and stylish.
What about JustToSew then?
JustToSew is the go-to source for sewing machines reviews, and tutorials. We make it easy to find the perfect machine for your needs and budget. We also offer helpful tips and tricks to get the most out of your sewing experience.
Have a look here.
