Tired of tripping over long pants?
Learn how to hem your pants like a pro, no sewing experience needed! In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you three easy and beginner-friendly methods to shorten your pants at home. Whether you’re working with jeans, dress pants, or casual wear, you’ll find a hemming technique that suits your style and skill level.
How to Hem Pants With a Sewing Machine
Hemming pants is a common sewing task that can be easily accomplished with a sewing machine. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to hem pants using a sewing machine
1. Prepare your materials and tools: Gather all the necessary materials and tools. You will need a sewing machine, thread (preferably matching the color of your pants), a needle suitable for the fabric, pins, scissors, measuring tape or ruler, and an iron.
2. Measure and mark the desired length: Put on the pants and fold up the excess fabric to the desired length. Use pins or fabric chalk to mark the fold line around the entire pant leg. Ideally, the pants should hang about half an inch above the ground when you are wearing the shoes you will pair them with.
3. Remove any existing hem: If your pants already have a hem, you will need to remove it before proceeding. Use a seam ripper or small scissors to carefully cut and remove the thread holding the existing hem together.
4. Prepare the sewing machine: Select the appropriate thread and needle for your fabric. Wind the bobbin with the thread and thread the sewing machine following the machine’s manual.
5. Fold and press the hem: Fold the pants up along the marked fold line, ensuring that the folded edge is even all around the pant leg. Use an iron to press the fold, creating a crisp and clean hemline. This step helps the fabric stay in place during sewing.
6. Pin the hem in place: Secure the folded hem by placing pins along the fold line, about 1-2 inches apart. Make sure the pins go through both layers of fabric, holding them together.
7. Adjust the sewing machine settings: Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch and adjust the stitch length to suit your fabric. It is generally recommended to use a medium stitch length for most pants fabrics.
8. Sew along the hemline: Start sewing at one of the side seams, near the folded edge. Backstitch a few stitches to secure the thread, and then continue sewing along the entire hemline. Remove the pins as you sew and maintain an even seam allowance, which is typically ⅜ to ½ inch. Be careful not to catch any other parts of the pants while sewing.
9. Backstitch at the end: Once you reach the starting point, backstitch a few stitches to secure the hem. Trim any excess thread.
10. Press and finish the hem: After sewing, press the hemline again with an iron to give it a professional finish. This step helps to set the stitches and makes the hem lie flat.
Make sure to try on the pants and check the length before wearing them to ensure they are just how you want them.
How to Hem Pants by Hand with a Needle and Thread
Hemming pants by hand with a needle and thread is a fairly simple process that can be done at home.
1. Prepare your materials: You will need a needle, thread that matches the color of your pants, scissors, pins, an iron, and a measuring tape or ruler.
2. Try on the pants: Put on the pants and fold the excess fabric up to the desired length. Use pins to hold the folded pants in place. Stand up and check if the length is suitable and even on both legs. Make any adjustments needed by repinning and trying them on again.
3. Measure and mark: Sit down and remove your pants. Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure the distance from the original hemline to the desired length. Make small marks at regular intervals around the leg of the pants using a fabric pen or tailor’s chalk. These marks will help you maintain an even hemline.
4. Remove the original hem: Turn the pants inside out and carefully remove the existing hem stitches, ensuring the fabric is not damaged. You can use a seam ripper or small scissors for this task.
5. Fold the fabric: Starting from one leg, fold the excess fabric up along the marked line. Make sure the fabric is folded evenly around the leg. Use pins to secure the folded fabric in place.
6. Thread the needle: Cut a piece of thread, about twice the length of your arm, and thread it through the eye of the needle. Tie a knot at the end of the thread.
7. Begin stitching: Starting at the inner seam of the leg, push the needle and thread through the folded fabric about 1/4 inch away from the edge. Pull the thread through, leaving the knot on the inside of the leg.
8. Stitching method: There are several different hand stitches that you can use for hemming pants. A simple and commonly used stitch is the whipstitch. To whipstitch, bring the needle over the folded fabric and then back through the fabric, creating a diagonal stitch. Continue this stitch along the folded fabric, spacing the stitches about 1/4 inch apart. Be sure to catch both layers of fabric each time you make a stitch.
9. Continue stitching: Work your way around the leg of the pants, using the marked lines as a guide for an even hemline. Take care to maintain an even tension on the thread to ensure a neat finish.
10. Finish the hem: Once you reach the starting point, make a few extra stitches to secure the end. Tie a knot close to the fabric and cut off any excess thread.
11. Press the hem: Turn the pants right side out and use a hot iron to press the newly created hemline. This helps to set the stitches and create a crisp finish.
Remember to take your time and be patient, especially if you are new to sewing. With practice, you’ll be able to achieve professional-looking results.
How to Hem Pants Without Sewing
Hemming pants without sewing can be achieved through the use of fabric glue or iron-on hem tape.
1. Measure the desired length: Put the pants on and fold up the bottom hem to the desired length. Use a ruler or measuring tape to make sure the folded part is even on both legs.
2. Prepare the pants: Remove the pants and turn them inside out. Fold up the bottom hem again, this time 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) higher than the desired length. This extra fabric will create a clean finish once the hem is secured.
3. Apply fabric glue or iron-on hem tape: If using fabric glue, carefully fold the bottom hem back down to the desired length. Apply a thin line of fabric glue along the folded edge, making sure to distribute it evenly. If using iron-on hem tape, place it along the folded edge of the pants.
4. Secure the hem: After applying the fabric glue or iron-on hem tape, press the folded part firmly to adhere it properly. Ensure the edges are neatly aligned.
5. Let it dry or activate the adhesive: Allow the fabric glue to dry according to the instructions on the packaging. Alternatively, if using iron-on hem tape, follow the directions to activate the adhesive by applying heat with an iron (typically by pressing for a few seconds on a low to medium setting).
6. Reinforce the hem (optional): To ensure a stronger bond, you can reinforce the hem by applying another layer of fabric glue or iron-on hem tape on top of the folded edge. Again, let it dry or activate the adhesive as previously instructed.
7. Trim excess fabric (optional): If there is a significant amount of excess fabric on the inside, you may want to trim it with fabric scissors. Leave a small margin to prevent unraveling.
8. Allow for complete drying or cooling: Give the hem enough time to dry or cool completely before wearing or laundering the pants, as per the instructions provided with the fabric glue or iron-on hem tape.
It’s important to note that this method may not provide the same durability as a sewn hem, especially for heavy fabrics or if the pants are frequently worn or washed. However, for a quick fix or temporary alteration, it can be an effective solution.
FAQ
How can I shorten my pants without a machine?
Shortening pants without a machine can be done by hand sewing.
1. Try on the pants and determine how much length you want to remove. Fold up the hem to the desired length and pin it in place.
2. Take off the pants and turn them inside out to access them.
3. Thread a needle with a matching thread color and tie a knot at the end.
4. Start sewing the hem by inserting the needle through the fabric right at the fold. Create small, even stitches around the hemline, securing it in place. Make sure to sew through both layers of fabric.
5. Continue sewing around the entire hemline, making each stitch close to the previous one. If the pants have a wider hem, you may want to use a whip stitch or blanket stitch to create a more secure seam.
6. Once you reach the starting point, make a small knot to secure the thread and trim off any excess thread.
7. Turn the pants right side out and try them on again to ensure the desired length. Adjust if needed by re-sewing any areas.
Remember, hand sewing may take more time and effort compared to using a machine, but it can be a handy alternative if you don’t have access to one.
How do you hem pants fast by hand?
If you need to hem your pants quickly by hand, here are the steps you can follow:
1. Start by trying on the pants with the shoes you plan to wear them with. This will help you determine the desired length for the hem.
2. Flip the pants inside out and fold the extra fabric to the desired length. Pin it in place with sewing pins. Make sure the fold is even all around the leg.
3. Take a needle and thread and make a knot at the end of the thread.
4. Start sewing near the seam of the pants, using a basic running stitch. Push the needle through both layers of fabric, from the inside to the outside, about 0.5 cm away from the fold. Then, bring the needle back through the fold and repeat.
5. Continue sewing in this manner, making sure to keep your stitches evenly spaced and secure. Take small stitches to create a neat and sturdy hem.
6. Once you reach the other side of the leg, tie a knot at the end of the thread, close to the fabric, to secure the hem.
7. Trim off any excess thread and flip the pants right side out.
By following these steps, you should be able to quickly hem your pants by hand. Remember to take your time to ensure a neat and even hem.
What can I use instead of hemming pants?
There are a few alternatives to hemming pants. Here are some options:
1. Cuffing: Instead of sewing a hem, you can fold up the bottoms of your pants to your desired length and create a cuff. Secure it with iron-on hem tape or fabric glue if needed.
2. Iron-on hemming tape: Use iron-on adhesive hemming tape to create a temporary hem on your pants. This can be easily removed or adjusted as needed.
3. Fabric glue: Fabric glue can be used to create a temporary or permanent hem on your pants. Apply a thin line of glue along the bottom edge, fold it up to the desired length, and press the glued area firmly until it dries.
4. Safety pins: If you need a quick and temporary fix, you can use safety pins to hold the folded-up hem in place. Just be cautious while wearing them to avoid pricking yourself.
5. Stitch Witchery: This is a double-sided iron-on adhesive tape that can be used to hem pants without sewing. By applying heat with an iron, the tape adheres to the fabric and secures the hem.
Remember that these alternatives may not provide the same durability or professional finish as traditional hemming, so they might not be suitable for all situations.
How do you fix pants that are too long?
There are a few methods to fix pants that are too long:
1. Hemming: One of the most common and straightforward ways to fix long pants is hemming. You can either do it yourself if you have basic sewing skills or take it to a tailor.
Here’s how to hem pants yourself:
- Try on the pants with the shoes you’ll typically wear them with, and fold the excess fabric up from the bottom.
- Make sure the fold is even all around the leg and pin it in place.
- Take off the pants and use a sewing machine or needle and thread to sew the new hemline, following the pinned fold.
- Trim any excess fabric close to the stitches and press the new hemline with an iron.
2. Cuffing: If you don’t want to permanently alter the length of your pants, you can cuff them. Simply fold the excess fabric from the bottom to the desired length, creating a cuff, and press it with an iron for a crisp look.
3. Tape or adhesive: There are various types of hemming tapes or adhesives available in stores. These can be a quick fix for temporary situations, without needing any sewing. Follow the instructions on the package to apply the tape to the inside of the pant leg and fold it up to the desired length.
