DIY: Hem your own pants WITH original hem – then take it out for more length later

I LOVE to buy jeans. I’m not exactly rich so I can’t buy as many or all the brands I would like to, but I still enjoy buying a new pair every now and then. I generally have them hemmed at a professional tailor for around $12. It’s not a huge expense but it can add up and it’s just a pain when they don’t turn out right or you have to wait 2 weeks to get them back. Plus, $12 bucks is $12 bucks to a cheapo like me! So… through a bit of trial and error, I figured out how to hem my own pants, and maintain the original look of the jeans by keeping the original hem (that was a must for me). It was so easy I sort of feel dumb posting this – but in case you’ve been paying a tailor, here’s you chance to do it for yourself and save that $12.

One of the best parts of this technique is that you can let the hem out in the future if you need more length. Obviously I’m done growing at age 28 ;), but your kids might not be and you can increase the length of the pants as your kid grows. It’s a win win for saving money.

Step #1:

Measure the length of the pant. You can do this however you like, but this is what I’ve found to be easiest. If anyone has a better idea, let me know. This is the most painful part of the process.

• Put your pants on and roll up the bottom to the desired length and pin it. Measure the length of the roll. Subtract the length of the original hem then divide in half. Re-roll the pant to that number.
  

  Image #1: This is a weird angle, but make sure you have rolled the pant equally. This roll measure 3 1/2 total. I’ll subtract 1/2 (for the hem) and divide by two. My final number would be 1 1/2 inch. Re-roll the pant up  1 1/2 inch and pin (the 1 1/2 includes the hem).

Step #2:
Using thread that is as close to your pant color as possible, sew along the original seam as close as you can without sewing on the seam. You’ll lose the look of the original hem if you sew over it.

Can you see the navy seam? It’s just below the original white threaded seam (where my re arrow is pointing).

Step # 3:
Flip the pant hem over so that it’s right side out and the original hem is showing. You may need to tug the material a bit to get the original hem to show. The closer you have sewed to the original hem in step #2, the better. You’ll now sew along the crease as close the original hem as possible. This will allow the hem to stay flat and in place when you wash it.

Step #4 (Optional):

If you’re happy with the length and will not need to alter it, you can cut off the excess material on the underside of the hem. You can use a surger to finish the edge to prevent fraying or just use a zig zag stitch over the raw edge.

If you want to be able to release this hem in the future to add more length, keep the extra material and put a small stitch going up each side (be the side seams), to prevent the extra material from flapping down when walking (depending on how much is material has been hemmed up).

Where I put a smal stich to hold the extra material against the jean (optional).

TIPS:

• You may need to use the manual turn option on your sewing machine when you get to sewing over the side seams. Depending on the pant, this may be to bulky to use you pedal without risk of messing up your tension.

• Sew slowly! If you sew over the seam in step #2, it’s not going to look right!