Tutorial: How to hem a pair of pants

Step #1 - Go to your closet and grab a pair of pants that fit you well. Measure the inseam (along the inside of the leg from crotch to end). Remember that number.


Step #2 - Take the pants that need to be altered and turn them inside out. Measure along the inseam and mark (with a fabric pencil or a straight pin or if you're desperate use one of your child's crayola washable markers). DO NOT CUT!!



Step #3 - Now, add 2 inches and mark again. If you want the hem to look skinny (like a jean) add a tad less. If you want the pant to have more of a trouser hem add a tad more. Go look at the bottom of the pants in your closet. You'll see what I mean.

Now you may cut along the bottom marking.



Step #4 - Fold the material up about 1/2 inch all the way around.



Step #5 - Now iron. Please iron. The iron is your friend. I know it's a hassle to drag thing out, but trust me. IRON.



Step #6 - Fold up a second time along your first marking. You will be "hiding" the mark. If you fold and can still see the mark, you've folded the wrong direction.



Step #7 - Iron Again. Use some steam. Have fun. Sing a song. Get it nice and crisp.



Repeat Steps #1 - 7 for the second leg.


Step #8 - Choose some thread. These pics show the pant to be grey but really it's more of a toffee color. I had 3 thread options in my basket. Usually it's better to go with a darker thread. The one on the right looked too light and the one in the middle looked too dark. So I went with lefty. (You SHOULD go to the store and buy a thread that matches exactly - whatever)



Step #9 - Starting near the seam (but not on the seam!) begin to sew. Try to stay as close to the folded edge as you feel comfortable. About 1/8 inch is perfect. This is the inside and no one will see this but you. Most important that you get a nice straight line all the way around. If you need a tad more room away from the fold to make that happen, so be it!



Step #10 - Keep going all the way around. When you come to a seam, don't panic. It's a little bulky but keep the machine moving at a steady pace. Sometimes I have to "help" the fabric through by gently pulling a bit to keep it moving. Or when doing jeans or really bulky fabrics, I sometimes just use my turning wheel on the side to walk the needle across that little part. When you reach the end - backstitch (go in reverse) for a stitch or two.


Step #11 (OPTIONAL)
Uh-oh. See that thread? I don't like it. Too light. Not blending well. Do not be afraid to make friends with your seam ripper. I HATE ripping seams. Blech.


Repeat Steps #9 and 10 using the dark brownish thread (the one in the middle). Much better.


Now - go wear your fancy new pants that don't drag the ground!