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How to Hem Pants at Home with a Sewing Machine

CraftsEasy8:578 steps
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 Chalk
Ruler
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

Ruler
Tailor's Chalk
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 Scissors
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 Pins
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 Pins
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

Thread
Sewing Machine
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 Machine
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 ChalkRulerFabric ScissorsSewing PinsThreadSewing Machine

Your Guide

Good Housekeeping

Tags

sewinghemmingpants alterationDIYcraftsbeginner sewing