There are thousands of folks out there who learn to sew for one reason only: to hem pants!
We’ve all been there: standing in the dressing room, thrilled to have found that perfect pair of slacks that hits you in all the right places, only to realize that (shoot!) they’re way too long! Luckily, you are a talented seamstress who knows how to hem pants so that they fall in exactly the right place. You buy them anyway and head right to your sewing machine!
I’ve compiled my top 5 tips for hemming pants in this list. Whether you’re that talented seamstress who’s been hemming for years or just about to tackle your first pair of pants, these tips will guide you through so you end up with a smooth, professional-looking hemline.
Don’t hold them up! I know you will want to, but don’t be tempted. You MUST try them on to get an accurate measurement.
Bring a buddy. Pin at the point where they are JUST above the floor, or, to where you would like them to end up permanently. It’s very hard to get it right if you bend over (which lifts the hem further from the floor) and try to place the pin yourself.
Don’t cut off too much! When you take out the original hem, you will notice that there is maybe an inch or so of fabric that was folded up underneath the slack and hemmed into place. Don’t cut too much of this off! Feel free to put your hem a bit higher than normal if it saves some extra fabric. This reason is twofold: you can always take away, but you can NEVER add more fabric; and, what if you get a fabulous new pair of heels, and now they are too short? No worries! You have plenty of fabric in order to let them down again.
Wear the right shoes. Make sure to not shift your weight to one hip or the other. Stand with your weight equally spread across both legs, and stand up tall!
Use a blind hem. Don’t be afraid to try blind hemming! The manual for your sewing machine always explains exactly how to do it. You’ll soon find that the blind hem is a powerful sewing weapon to have in your arsenal!
Related Videos:
How to Hem Jeans
How to Blind Hem
How to Hem a Skirt
Get in touch! Leave a comment or email editor@nationalsewingcircle.com.
Love the help!
I have to hem everything! I put the pants on an use my hands to ‘pinch’ the fabric at about thigh level. I measure the ‘pinched fabric’…noting that it’s double. Then i take off the pants, and use fabric clips to turn under that amount. Try them on again to see if any adjustment needs to be made. I hem all pants to the top of the heel—where the sole and shoe join together. Your leg is the same length at that measurement no matter what shoe you’re wearing. If I’m in heels, great—the heel shows. If I’m in ballet flats, also great—they don’t drag the ground. Try it—see if it works for you!
Thank you for helpful. Information
Interesting thank you
love your tips
I discovered the blind hem foot 20 years ago. I don’t know any other way to hem pants, curtains and many other garments and household items. Once you get the hang of it, you will never go back.
Tip #3 suggested extra fabric for the hem so it can be let down if you later have shoes with a different heel. Once the hem has been pressed it will be difficult to press out that crease, especially when the fabric is a synthetic.
Great “5 Tips for hemming pants”, Thanks
I have used the hemming method where you fold up and then stitch, the only issue I have is that it wants to turn up, like a cuff. Any suggestions on how to keep it from turning up?
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