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How to Hem Pants at Home with a Sewing Machine

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By ShowMeStepByStepPublished Updated

Based on a video by Good Housekeeping.

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Taking pants to a tailor costs $15-20 a pair, and it takes like a week to get them back. This tutorial from Amanda Perna at Good Housekeeping shows you how to do it yourself in about 20 minutes. She walks through a top-stitch hem on denim, which is the easiest type to start with. You'll need a sewing machine, some pins, chalk, and decent scissors.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Measure and Mark Where You Want Them

1:30
Step 1: Measure and Mark Where You Want Them
Put the pants on with the shoes you'll wear most. Mark the outside seams at the length you want. Then lay them flat and measure from the bottom up to your marks. Round up a little to be safe. Amanda marked hers at about 3 inches.

Tip

Mark both outside seams so if one rubs off you still have a reference.

Products used in this step

Tailor's ChalkView product
RulerView product
2

Mark the Seam Allowance

2:10
Step 2: Mark the Seam Allowance
You need a half-inch hem that folds back twice. From your finished-length line, measure down half an inch and mark it. Then go down another half inch and mark again. That second line is where you'll cut.

Products used in this step

RulerView product
Tailor's ChalkView product
3

Cut the Excess Fabric

2:35
Step 3: Cut the Excess Fabric
Cut along that bottom line with sharp scissors. Keep it as straight as you can. If the line's a little wobbly, that's okay since it'll be hidden inside the fold.

Tip

Sharp scissors make a huge difference on denim. Dull ones will chew up the edge.

Products used in this step

Fabric ScissorsView product
4

Fold and Pin the First Turn

2:50
Step 4: Fold and Pin the First Turn
Fold the fabric up half an inch along your first mark. Pin it in place as you go around the leg. You can press it with an iron if you have one to make it lay flat, but it's not required.

Products used in this step

Sewing PinsView product
5

Fold and Pin the Second Turn

4:20
Step 5: Fold and Pin the Second Turn
Roll it up one more time so the raw edge is hidden inside the fold. The bottom of the pant leg becomes your guide since it should line up with your finished-length mark. Pin it all the way around with pins on the outside so you can pull them while sewing. Make sure the side seam lines up.

Tip

Don't stretch the fabric while pinning, especially with stretch denim. It'll pull the leg out of shape.

Products used in this step

Sewing PinsView product
6

Pick Your Thread and Set Stitch Length

5:20
Step 6: Pick Your Thread and Set Stitch Length
Match the thread to the original stitching color if you want it to blend, or go with something close. For stretchy denim, set your stitch length to about 3.5 or 4 so the thread has room to move with the fabric. Tighter stitches can pop when you pull the jeans on.

Products used in this step

ThreadView product
Sewing MachineView product
7

Sew the Hem

8:20
Step 7: Sew the Hem
Stitch just under half an inch from the bottom edge to catch all the folded fabric. Pull pins out as you reach them. Go slow through the side seams where it gets thick - use the hand wheel if your machine struggles. Do a small backstitch at the start and where you meet back up at the end.

Tip

Keep checking that you're not accidentally sewing through the other side of the leg. Easy to do on skinny jeans.

Products used in this step

Sewing MachineView product
8

Finish Up

8:40
Step 8: Finish Up
Cut the thread, pull the pants off the machine, and check your work. Press the hem flat with an iron if you want a crisp finish. Do the same thing on the other leg and you're done.

Products Used

Tailor's ChalkViewRulerViewFabric ScissorsViewSewing PinsViewThreadViewSewing MachineView
☐ The Checklist

How to Hem Pants at Home with a Sewing Machine

Tools
5
Materials
1
Steps
8
Video
9 min

Tools

5 items

Materials

1 item

Steps

  1. 1Measure and Mark Where You Want Them
  2. 2Mark the Seam Allowance
  3. 3Cut the Excess Fabric
  4. 4Fold and Pin the First Turn
  5. 5Fold and Pin the Second Turn
  6. 6Pick Your Thread and Set Stitch Length
  7. 7Sew the Hem
  8. 8Finish Up

Your Guide

Good Housekeeping

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Tags

handmadecraftshem pants at homeDIY

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