How To Add A Cuff To Pants
Cuffing is one of the best ways to lengthen your pants or trousers. It will make it appear professionally finished and expensive. You can also use the cuffs in the form of a decorative component for the pants.
Other than the pants, you can also use the cuffs to change the look of your sleeves. You can add these cuffs to your child’s trousers and enhance their look. Individuals can also add cuffs if the pants or the trouser is pretty long.
Cutting the length might not be a good idea, so cuffing it up will be a much better choice. The process of making these cuffs is not that difficult. You need to have basic sewing or stitching skills and get the job done within minutes.
You can go through this blog to learn more about it, as it has everything explained in detail.
How To Add A Cuff To Pants?
Contents
You can easily add cuffs/cuffs to your pants by hand sewing them with a good-quality thread and an embroidery needle.
Make sure the thread you choose matches with the color of the pants so that it blends well. If you do the work correctly, the results will be positive because the work will look neat and professional.
You can also use a serger or a traditional sewing device for the work. It’s because you will get the work done pretty quickly. For the cuffing project, you will also require iron and an iron board. You are free to use a classic or modern-style iron for the work.
Cuffing your pants or your kid’s trousers doesn’t require any extra knowledge or skills. So, the whole cuffing work is pretty simple. If you are doing it for the first time, you might need a bit of help, and for that, you can follow the instructions provided below.
Tools & Material You Need
When you do not possess the suitable materials and tools, you can complete any sewing-related work. Here are some of the essential things you need for cuffing your pants.
- A sewing machine. [Bernina, Singer, etc.]
- Thread. [Any color will do]
- Universal needles or embroidery needles.
- Pants or trousers you want to hem.
- Iron.
- Pressing ham or a sleeve board.
- Pins.
- Ruler.
- Pressing cloth.
Once you gather all these items, you can begin your cuffing project in a hassle-free manner.
Step 1
You must start your work by measuring the width of your pant leg area. After that, you must multiply the width by 2 and 2cm [1 inch] for the seam allowance. To understand it clearly, let’s say the pant’s leg width is 10cm. So, the calculation will be: 10cm x 2 = 20cm + 2 = 22cm. So, the 22cm that you receive will be the seam allowance.
Otherwise, if the width is 4 inches, the calculation will be 4 x 2= 8+1= 9 inches. The seam allowance will be 9 inches.
Step 2
Now, you have to decide the cuff’s length that you want to add. 5cm or 2 inches stands out as a perfect size if you are unsure about the length you need.
You need to multiply the length by 2 and add 2.5cm [1¼ inch] for the seam allowance. The calculation will be like this: 5cm x 2 = 10cm + 2.5cm = 12.5cm. So, the seam allowance for the cuff’s length is 12.5cm.
For the inches part, the calculation is: 2 inches x 2 = 4 inches + 1 ¼ inch = 5¼ inches. The seam allowance is 5¼ inches.
Step 3
You must cut out two pieces of fabric according to the size you need. For instance, you will need two pieces of material for 22cm width and 12.5cm length [9 inches width and 5¼ inches length].
Cut the material correctly so that the pieces are evenly cut and use a sharp scissor. Please don’t use a scissor, which is a bit blunt as it might interrupt you while cutting the fabric.
Step 4
Now, with the wrong sides together, you have to fold each of the cuffs along the width, which will bring the long edges together. After that, you need to press on it and then open up the folds again.
Step 5
Does your material come with a directional print? Don’t worry. You have to take the bottom edge and press 1cm or 1½inch on the wrong side. After you press it, open up the press once more.
Step 6
You need to fold all the cuff pieces in ½ along the right sides, short edges, and the length altogether.
Take a 1cm or 1½inch seam allowance and start stitching along the short edges to form two tubes. Now, press the seams and open them.
Step 7
You have to repress and refold the 1cm [1½inch], pressed on the wrong side and the bottom edge. If you are confused, please take a look at Step 5 on this blog.
Step 8
Take one cuff tube and the right sides together, then slide it over on one of the pants’ legs. Next, you need to align the raw edges of the cuff tube with the pant leg’s base. Align the cuff’s side seams with the pants in-leg seam.
Step 9
You have to stitch around the bottom of the pants by joining two pieces with a seam of ¾ inch or 1.5cm seam. You need to sew or stitch right above the actual hem of the pants.
If the pants legs are way too skinny to fit right over the stitching device’s arm, try sewing the pants from the inside.
Step 10
You must fold the pants cuff down towards the right-hand side and then press or iron the seam allowance right at the pants bottom area.
TIP: When doing the ironing work, use the sleeve board or the pressing ham for the job. Also, don’t forget to wear the presser cloth.
Step 11
After pressing:
- Take the pants.
- Turn them towards the wrong side.
- Fold cuffs up with the pressed fold.
Try to place pins in the correct areas on the cuffs as it will ensure that the folded edges of the cuff extend to 0.5cm, which is ¼inch past the seam. After that, you must join the cuff of the pants.
Step 12
From the right of the pants, use the snitch-in-the-ditch technique to join the cuffs with the pants. This will help you make sure that you can easily catch the cuff’s inner edge within the underside of the stitches.
You can do the work on a white-color pants if you want the cuffs to pop out. But there is no problem with using the same color material for the legs of your pants.
Also, if the pants leg does not fit appropriately within the arm of your stitching device, you have to do the work by turning on the wrong side. After that, you have to complete the stitching work from the insides of the pants.
Advantages Of Having Cuffs On Pants
You do know that adding a cuff will make your trousers or pants look unique and fashionable. But you will also get a lot of advantages through it. These advantages are:
1. Extra material
Extra material means damage insurance. If the hems of your pants get torn, frayed, trodden, or chewed; you can use that extra fabric to repair those areas.
2. Additional weight
When there is extra or additional weight on your pants, it will drape a lot better. This will be good on pleated pants to provide the creases with the right shape.
3. Easygoing style
Cuffs stand out as a great look for all casual suiting and trousers, such as tweeds and grey flannel. Although they might seem a bit informal for tuxedos, the casual style will make you look a lot smarter.
Cuff pants take a lot more time and material to produce, and for such reasons, they tend to be associated with high-quality clothes.
Can I Cuff My Jeans Instead Of Other Pants?
Yes, you can. You can easily cuff your jeans with no hassle. Decide whether you wish to add a temporary cuff for experimenting or a permanent one. If you are going for the quick cuff, you will need iron and a washing machine.
But if you want to add a permanent cuff, you will require a sewing kit, good stitching skills, or a simple thread and needle. You can use blue threads, as they will blend perfectly with the jeans.
You can use the sewing machine for the work as it will be a lot quicker because the hand-sewing technique might be time-consuming for you.
Is It Possible To Take The Cuffs Off?
Yes, you can do so. When you don’t want cuffs on your pants or trousers, you can easily take them off with the right tools. You have to cut through the stitches with a shard scissor.
If you cannot do so or don’t want to do it, you can take the cuffed pants to a professional tailor. He/she will take off the cuffs easily and quickly.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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