How To Hem Fleece Pants
There’s nothing more comfortable than throwing on a warm pair of fleece pants. They’re soft, comfy, fluffy, and lightweight. Because of their breathability, they have acquired prominent fame amongst millennials today. But if your pair doesn’t fit you right, here’s how to skip that pricey trip to your tailor.
Fit is an integral factor in the choice of your fleece pants. For this reason, creating a new hemline is a straightforward move. Although it sounds intimidating, here’s how you can take your sewing skills to newer heights.
Hemming is a cost-effective process, and it also takes a matter of a few minutes. If you know the method to hem pants, then you can take advantage of it whenever you go shopping. Read on to learn the simple methods to hem your fleece pants with or without a sewing machine!
How To Hem Fleece Pants?
Contents
When it comes to hemming fleece pants, taking the measurement is the most fundamental consideration. Besides, you’d have to be careful of the threads and needles you choose when stitching it by hand.
To begin, this post shall first narrate the methods without a sewing machine. Then, you shall move on to the steps to hem fleece pants with a machine!
Method 1: Steps to Hem Fleece Pants with A Sewing Machine
So, to break down the method, here’s presenting the best way to sew the pant by hand. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Preparing for the Method
The following are the tools that are required to proceed with the below-narrated methods:
- A pair of scissors
- A measuring tape
- A ruler
- A seam ripper
- Sewing gauge
- Matching (or contrasting) threads
- A sewing machine
- Ironing board and iron
- Pins
Let’s now have a look at the following steps.
Step 2: Measuring the Inseam to Find the Length
To do so, you need to mark the length between the crotch seam and the bottom right below the ankle. You can also wear your shoes and measure the inseam length.
The proper fleece pants’ length depends on the shoes you want to wear with the pant. If it’s for comfortable wear, you can measure the length according to your comfort.
Step 3: Remove The Original Hem
After you measure the length, it’s time to remove the original hemline with the seam ripper. As soon as you do this, remember to unfold the hem entirely. Now, it hangs loosely in your hand.
Now’s the time to flatten the entire piece of cloth so that you can sew neatly! For this reason, you will have to use an ironing board and iron to press your pants. Again, remove all the creases and make them neat.
Step 4: Marking The Inseam Length On The Pant
After you’re done with ironing, it’s time to mark the inseam length of the pant. For this, you will have to turn your pants inside out on the flat surface. Measure and mark the inseam length on the pants alongside the seam allowance of 1 inch.
Step 5: Trimming and Hemming
To perform this step, make the right use of the ruler and rotary cutter. With the cutter, trim the excess fabric. Upon this, measure the hem correctly.
To start with, set the sewing gauge to around ½ inch firstly. Next, fold the edge of your pants’ leg to around ½ inch. When using the gauge, ensure that the measurement is ½ inch on both legs. So, it’s time for pressing!
Step 6: Folding The Hem
Now is the time when you need to fold the leg’s edge individually. Take around ½ inch of measurement! After this, you need to double-check the fold’s width with a sewing gauge.
Upon folding it around ½ inches, you need to pin the hem in the right place. Repeat the same process on another leg.
Step 7: Sew The Hem With a Sewing Machine
To do so, you need to load the bobbin and the top spool with a matching (or contrasting thread). Once completed, set the machine to the medium straight stitch process.
With ¼ inch seam allowance, stitch from the hem’s top. You need to go all the way around and remove all pins as you continue. When you begin, make sure that you lock the stitch in place. Upon then, remove from the sewing machine & cut the extra thread.
For another leg of your pants, repeat the same process. Once the task gets completed, turn the pants on the right side and iron properly.
Method 2: Steps to Hem Fleece Pants without A Sewing Machine (By Hand)
Even if you don’t own a fancy sewing machine, you can proceed with the hemming process. To add a touch of professionalism, you need to follow the below-narrated steps to hem fleece pants by hand. So, let’s read on.
Step 1: Gathering Essential Tools
To hand hem your fleece pants, you’d require the following tools:
- A needle
- Threads (matching or contrasting)
And that’s it! You need no more than two tools for hand-hemming the pants. Let’s check out the following steps!
Step 2: Measuring And Marking
As mentioned in the above-mentioned method, the first step to hand-hem your fleece pants is to measure and mark the length. After doing so, you’ll require following the other steps too.
Step 3: Removing Original Hem
As you do so, ensure that you use a seam ripper. After measuring the length, place a pin at each leg’s back. Stand up & check that length in your mirror. After this, you need to adjust the fit as required.
After you have the measurements with you, you need to start folding and pinning the hem. Now, repeat for another leg! Fleece pants might not require ironing. However, to be extra sure of the tidiness of the stitches, you can press them.
So, it’s time to measure ½ inch of your pants from the hemline. Thus, you need to mark it and follow the next step.
Step 4: Cut The Lines
After you remove the pins, cut along that line to prevent your pants from getting unraveled! So, pin back in the right place. After this, repeat the same thing with another leg.
Step 5: Threading The Needle
Needless to say, threading the needle with a single thread is easy. You need 3 feet of length; and knot the end. Keep your pants inside out before starting off with the sewing process.
Step 6: Hand-Sewing The Fleece Pant
Insert the needle into the seam allowance on your inside leg to start the thread. Now, pull the thread through. After this, insert the thread below the stitch & slide the needle through.
Around ⅜ inch from the place you pulled that thread, you need to push in the needle in folded edge’s back and pull it out front. Noteworthy to mention, you can repeat it for another leg!
With a blind hem:
Alternatively, as you begin sewing, use a blind hem stitch at the side seam. In addition, put the needle right under your folded hem. Now, pull through and make a zigzag stitch keeping a measurement of 1/4 for each.
Also, remember that the stitch should not be visible if you’re using a matching thread. Once completed, don’t forget to know the thread. Again, repeat the same process on the other leg of the pants.
Now that you’ve completed the task, the last step to finish is by ironing finished hems!
What Are The Different Types of Fleece Pants Available In The Market Today?
Fleece garments might be the mainstay for garment decorators and screen printers. However, fleece refers to a multitude of fabrics. So, to break down the various types of fleece pants in general, here’s what you need to learn:
Cotton blended or cotton fleece: Used for sweatpants as well as sweatshirts. These are made from cotton blends or cotton, having a plush inner nap and smooth outer surface.
Polyester fleece: Having popularity in the fashion industry, polyester fleece happens to be smooth on its outside & plush on its inside. However, they differ from the cotton fleeces. So, its smooth side features a shinier appearance.
Lycra spandex fleece: It comprises cotton with a Lycra spandex small percentage that creates stretchiness. As a matter of fact, it happens to be popular for fitted both women’s and junior’s garments.
Microfleece: It has a double-sided fleece with a soft and thin appearance. As it’s lightweight, it performs an incredible job of wicking moisture away from its body.
Polar fleece: They are thicker and comparatively warmer than the microfleece. For colder climates, they are the best material for pants, besides blankets and jackets.
Other fleece pants choice for specific climates include:
- French terry fleece
- Slub fleece
- Sherpa fleece
What Kind of Stitch to Use for Hemming The Fleece Pants?
You can use a quality polyester thread and a comparatively larger stitch length (i.e., 3mm to 5mm). Stitching with the straight stitch will be amazing for most of the seams. However, a small zigzag stitch might also be recommendable at the points when that seam endures further movement!
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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