How To Hem Suit Pants
Are you too struggling in hem suit pants? If so, here you are on the right track. One of the most accessible things you can do is hemming the suit pants when they are long.
While being professional, you can always notice whether your pants are too long or not. For that, you might need the sewing machine or tape or your hands to hem it professionally.
How To Hem Suit Pants
Contents
Before anything else, you need to gather all your supplies as per your method to hem suit pants.
The primary things require the matching thread with your pants, needle, scissors, tailor’s chalk, ruler, board/iron, and a sewing machine if it is done by that method. Hemming your suit pants is easy with some basic supplies.
Three ways are there to hem suit pants, including the tape method, sewing machine, or measuring.
Let’s get a detailed outlook on how to hem suit pants.
Methods To Hem Suit Pants
Method 1 – Measuring
Here we have our first method to hem suit pants, measuring. This method includes some steps to get through the professionally done hem-on suit pants. Here it is.
Step 1 – Rip out the old hem from your pants.
With a seam-ripper, you need to take out the stitching that is holding your old hem intact. You need to insert the seam ripper beneath your pant’s stitches and then break that thread, pulling it in the outer direction as you continue.
Now, you need to repeat the method until the old hem is pulled out entirely from both the legs of your pants.
If you don’t own a seam ripper, you can also use the small sharp knife or scissors pair to complete the task. It would be best to be careful not to rip the pant’s fabric while ripping out the stitches.
Step 2 – Try the pants with matching shoes.
After ripping all the stitches, you need to put on your pants with a matching pair of shoes. It is essential to find the appropriate length for your suit pants. You can try them on with the team of shoes you often wear.
Also, flat shoes will possess slightly more height than being barefoot. Hence it’s essential to try the pants with some boots.
You can also prefer sneakers or any flat sandals but try with the one you plan to wear your pant with. Dress pants should usually be worn with heels of proper height.
Step 3 – Cuff your pants at the appropriate length
Now, you need to fold the edges of both of your pant legs under the size that falls appropriately over the top of your shoe. The cuffs you will make should graze your shoes slightly but not hover bunching-up around or above them.
To perform this step, you can use multiple straight pins surrounding the cuffs to secure them intact.
After so, it would be best if you walk around your room to check whether the suit pants are cuffed at the appropriate length. Check the pants in the mirror and determine whether they are swinging or riding up.
Also, check if they can catch the heels back or not. While doing so, make the cuff adjustments.
Step 4 – Remove the suit pants and turn them inside-out
You need to ensure that the straight pins stay intact at their place, so you will know exactly how short you need to hem your pants. They are now ready to be sewed and then wear it.
Method 2 – Sewing
Step 1 – Measure the cuffs.
With the help of a ruler or any measuring tape, you need to measure your hemline fold distance from the edge of your pant legs.
You need to make sure that both your pant legs are cuffed to a similar length, no shorter or longer. You can also use various straight pins to hold the cuffs intact.
Step 2 – Iron the cuffs
After doing so, you need to iron the cuffs or folds you made. You can use the hot iron to make the fold’s appropriate crease where you need to cuff the pants. You can take as much time as you desire but ensure that the crease is made straight.
At this moment, you need to try the pants once you ensure that your hem will be in the desired position. Take care that you don’t prick yourself with those straight pins.
Step 3 – Measure 1.5 inches from the ironed crease
You need to cut to remove any other fabric from your pants before sewing them in this step. You can use chalk or a pencil to mark 1.5 inches from the hemline surrounding the whole pant leg. Repeat the method on the other pant leg.
Step 4 – Remove the straight pins and cut your pant’s fabric continuing the traced line.
Instead of using fabric scissors, you can use the pinking shears to cut the fabric. Pinking shears are specially designed to cut the material so that it won’t become unraveled. Repeat the process on the other leg.
Do it with calm ensuring you won’t dip too close to the traced line. When you finish with your trimming, you can use straight pins to pin the fabric’s back about 1 inch distanced from the outlined line.
Step 5 – Sew the hems.
Now, you need to sew the hems you made. For that, you need to thread the needle with the matching thread of your fabric. You can prefer blind stitch to sew it around the leg about half inches distanced from the hem.
Continue with the process until you reach the starting point, then knot your thread and use the scissors to cut it out. Repeat the process on the other leg.
The process is completed with the sewing machine, and to ensure that hem is invisible now, pick two fibers at a time on the fabric’s side.
Step 6 – Try the pants.
Turn the pants on the front side and iron the hem you made. Try your pants with the pair of shoes you desire. Make sure that the cuffs look clean and are dropping at the right length.
If they need any adjustments, you can rip out the seams and begin again.
Method 3 – Using Fabric Tape
Step 1 – Cuff your pants to the appropriate length and iron to create the crease.
You can use the measuring tape or a ruler to ensure that both your pant legs are hemmed to a similar length.
Step 2 – Trim the remaining fabric 1.5 inches from the ironed line
Using the chalk or the pencil, mark the 1.5 inches line from the hemline over the pant leg and trim off the remaining fabric using the pinking sears. Repeat it on the other pant leg.
Step 3 – Unfold the cuffs and apply the fabric tape
Now, you need to cut the length of the fabric tape and remove its back paper. With the edge of the tape, line up with the crease over the fabric.
Press the tape and continue lining it while applying it all over the pant leg. You can cut more tape if you need and fold the cuff to the tape when done with it. Repeat the process with the other leg.
If you don’t own fabric tape, you can use any temporary hemming or hem tape. These tapes usually get removed after the wash. Make sure that the tape is applied straightly at the bottom of the pant legs.
Step 4 – Fuse the fabric tape with the fabric.
You need to place the cloth over the fabric’s cuff. Now, heat the cloth with iron for some seconds. Remove the cloth and continue ironing your fabric from beneath. Use the procedure to fix the tape with your fabric surrounding the leg and repeat it with the other leg.
After ironing the section, lift the cuff, ensuring that the tape is appropriately fused with the fabric to hold the hem intact. Make sure that iron is heated but won’t damage your fabric.
Step 5 – Try the pants.
Turn the pant to its front side and try them on with the pair of shoes you desire. Check the length, and if you are not satisfied with that, you can launder and run them through the dryer to make the tape fall out. Now, hem again.
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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