Saturday, May 4, 2013

How to hem jeans with original hem without cutting

So you're wondering how to hem jeans without cutting them, but you still want to use the original hem?  Fear not - DIY jean hemming is actually much simpler than it sounds. 

Take it from me Miss Shorty Pants who needs to hem nearly ev-e-ry-thing!  In just 6 easy steps you'll have this done in no time and you'll be pounding your hand to head over why you ever spent money on having your jeans hemmed by a pro.

Okay, so here goes..

1. Decide how much you need to hem your jeans by trying them on and marking with a pin where you want the new hem to be.  

    2. Lay them flat on the floor - right side out - and measure from the hem of the jeans to the pin.   In this example my husband wanted his pants hemmed by 1.25 inches. 
    Step 2: Measure from hem to desired new hem

    3. Now, fold up the hem of the pants all the way around the leg measuring half of the length you measured in step 2  between the bottom of the fold to the closest part of the original hem (DO NOT INCLUDE THE ORIGINAL HEM IN THE MEASUREMENT).  Hopefully this picture explains what I'm trying to say but am having trouble finding the words...
    Fold up the amount equal to HALF of the amount you want the pants shortened by

    In my case, I wanted there to be a little less than 3/4 of an inch between the fold and the hem since my husband needed his pants hemmed a total of 1.25".  If you need your pants hemmed 2 inches, you'd want the distance to be 1 inch if you want them 4 inches shorter than they were originally than you would measure 2 inches.  Get it? Okay, good... moving on...

    Measure this same distance all the way around the pants, pinning as you go.  Pay special attention to the area around the inseams to make sure you're lining up the seams evenly. 

    4. Now you're ready to sew. Sew a straight stitch right below (or in this picture - to the right of) the original hem. Sew as close to the hem as you can without sewing on it. 


    Sew as close to the bottom of the original hem as you can without sewing on it
    See how close I sewed (and it doesn't matter what color thread you use)

    5. Now flip the bottom of the pants so they're right side out and iron on high heat to press the new hem down.



    6. If you had to hem a lot you may want to cut some of the extra folded up material.  However, I would suggest tacking it to the inside of the seam instead of cutting it in case you ever decide you want to take out the hem.



    That's it that's all there is to it.

    Now there's no reason to ever spend big bucks to have a tailor shorten your pants, knowing you can hem jeans with the original hem yourself...all without cutting them.

    14 comments:

    1. Cool. A lot easier than the way I've always done it Thanks

      ReplyDelete
    2. Very easy to follow. I used it on jeans and also a skirted swim bottom that was too long! It worked perfectly for that. And I didn't have to worry about cutting it wrong! Thanks!

      ReplyDelete
    3. This is such a game-changer! Keeping the original hem makes a huge difference in how the jeans look most people wouldn't even guess they were DIY'd. It’s all about having the right technique to get that custom fit. Just like finding clever ways to optimize your wardrobe, many people look for efficient ways to optimize their digital experience as well. For those who enjoy customizing their software or running specific scripts for a smoother performance, https://thedeltaexecutor.us/ is a great resource to keep your tools updated and running perfectly. Thanks for the clear, step-by-step guide!

      ReplyDelete
    4. This is such a clever hack for fellow "shorty pants"! Keeping the original hem makes a huge difference in how professional the jeans look, and the fact that you don't have to cut anything is a total game-changer for resale or growth. It’s a great way to save money on tailoring. Speaking of saving money, just like this DIY trick helps keep your budget in check, I always look for discount codes before heading out for a meal to keep things affordable. Thanks for the clear, step-by-step photos!

      ReplyDelete
    5. The tutorial clearly shows that hemming jeans with the original hem is a smart and practical technique to shorten denim while preserving its authentic factory finish. It’s especially useful for maintaining the original stitching, color, and worn-in character of the jeans, making the alteration almost invisible from the outside. This method is a great balance between fit and style, allowing you to customize length without losing the garment’s original design appeal.
      non emergency ambulance singapore
      home cleaning services across Melbourne
      Hood Suppression System Service

      ReplyDelete
    6. This is actually a really clever and budget-friendly way to hem jeans while keeping the original factory hem intact. The step-by-step explanation makes the process much less intimidating, especially for beginners who don’t want to ruin their denim. I also like the tip about not cutting the extra fabric in case adjustments are needed later. DIY projects like this are great for saving money, just like checking the Cracker Barrel Menu with Prices before dining out so you can plan meals and costs ahead of time.

      ReplyDelete
    7. I love how simple and practical this hemming method is, especially for shorter people who constantly need alterations on jeans and pants. Keeping the original hem really helps maintain the natural denim look compared to traditional hemming methods. The instructions and measurements are also explained clearly enough for beginners to follow confidently at home. Saving money through DIY solutions always feels satisfying, similar to browsing the Dunkin Donuts Menu with Prices before ordering coffee or snacks.

      ReplyDelete
    8. This tutorial explains the original hem technique really well, especially the part about folding the jeans by half of the amount you want shortened. A lot of people avoid hemming their own jeans because they think it’s too complicated, but this method actually looks very manageable. I also appreciate the advice about preserving the extra fabric for future adjustments instead of cutting it off immediately. Helpful guides like this save both time and money, much like checking the Whataburger Menu with Prices before planning a meal or family outing.

      ReplyDelete
    9. Keeping the original hem while shortening jeans is such a smart tailoring trick because it preserves the authentic look of the denim. The tutorial also does a good job breaking the process into easy steps that even beginners can follow without professional sewing experience. Ironing the fold afterward really makes the finished result look clean and polished too. DIY techniques that help people save money are always useful, just like reviewing the Zaxbys Menu with Prices before ordering food or planning dinner options.

      ReplyDelete