How To Temporarily Hem Kids’ Pants
When you buy pants for your kids in their absence, you may find that the pants are too long. The only option you may have if they fit at the waist is to create a temporary hem every time they wear them. This will save you a lot of time. And, the kid will likely grow into the pants in a few months.
Making a temporary hem is something you can do at home in a few minutes. You don’t have to take the pants to a tailor.
How Do You Make A Temporary Hem On Kid’s Pants?
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To make a temporary hem on your kid’s pants, let them wear the pants then fold the pants to the desired length. Mark the desired length with tailoring chalk then have them take off the pants. Place it on a flat surface then turn it inside out. Fold the pants to the desired length and make a hem at that point. Then insert fabric tape in the hem and press for a minute. The tape will then hold the pants at that desired height temporarily.
Method 1. Using Fabric Tape
Step 1. Have your kid wear the pants. This will help you to easily identify the desired length of the pants.
Step 2. Mark the desired length of the pants then have them remove the pants.
Step 3.With your pants placed on a flat surface, fold the bottom of the pants to the desired length.
Step 4. Insert fabric tape into the fold you have made to ensure that your kid’s pants reach their desired length. The fabric tape will hold the fold in place temporarily shortening the pants to the right length.
Step 5. You can now have your kids wear the now hemmed pants.
Method 2. Use Velcro Tape and Double Sided Tape
Step 1. Measure the length of the two sides of the pants. Then determine how long you want the pants to be and mark the desired length.
Step 2. Fold the bottom of your pants inwards until your pants are shortened to the desired length.
Step 3. Place the velcro on your fold at the desired length or where you want them to be.
Step 4. Fix double-sided tape on the pants to connect the velcro to the pants.
Step 5. You can change the position of the velcro and the tape any time you want to lengthen or shorten the hem of your kid’s pants.
Method 3. Use Fabric Magnets
Step 1. Have your kid wear their pants and the shoes they intend to pair them with. Like this, you can clearly see how long the pants are and how to shorten them to get to the right size.
Step 2. Make an upward fold from the bottom of your pants to the top of the shoes. Then, fold the fold downwards so that it lies directly on top of the hem of the pants on top of the shoes.
Step 3. Take your fabric magnets also known as hem gems as they look like earrings or gems. Fabric magnets come in pairs. A positive and a negative magnet piece. Place one on the inside of the fold at the hem, while you place the other on the outside part of the hem. These magnets hold the fabric of the pants in place making sure that the hem of your kid’s pants is shortened.
Step 4. When you are back home and want your kid to take off the pants, remember to first pull out the fabric magnets from the hem of the pants and store them properly for the next use.
Method 4. Use Temporary Fabric Glue
Step 1. Have your kid wear their pants and their shoes. Determine how long you want the hem to be and mark with a pen or pin. Then take off the pants and prepare to make the new hem.
Step 2. Place the pants on a flat surface and spread them out so that they are completely straight.
Step 3. Measure from the bottom of the pants to the point you marked and make a mark. Draw a straight line along the width of your pants to mark the point of the new hem.
Step 4. From the mark of the new hemline, measure one inch down and draw another line at this point.
Step 5. Fold the bottom of the pants to the first line, then fold again to the desired hem length.
Step 6. Open the fold slightly, using a popsicle stick, apply temporary fabric glue underneath the fold.
Step 7. Press the fold back in its place. Then leave the glue to dry. It may take a few hours for the fabric glue to dry and your kid’s pants to be ready to wear.
Method 5. Hem Pants With Safety Pins
Step 1. Have your kid wear their pants and shoes. Then fold the pants from the bottom inwards to the desired length.
Step 2. Have your kid take off their pants and place them on a flat surface.
Step 3. Spray starch over the fold and iron. Starch makes the fabric stiff and hard ensuring that the folded hem stays in place once it is ironed.
Step 4. Turn your pants inside out. At the top of the hem fold that you have just made, look for the raw seam of the pants.
Step 5. Get two safety pins for each pant leg. Fix the fold of the hem to the seam on the front and back. Make sure that the safety pin is not visible from the right side of the pants.
Step 6. Safety pins are a crafty temporary solution for hemming your kid’s pants.
Method 6. Hem Pants With An Iron
Step 1. Have your kid wear their pants. Then fold the extra fabric of the pants in until you get your pants to their desired length. You can hold this fold with a pin if the fabric doesn’t hold.
Step 2. Have them take off the pants, turn them inside out and place them on the ironing board. Confirm that both the pant legs are folded equally. You can place the pant legs on each other to confirm this. Make sure the folds are at the same level for both pant legs.
Step 3. Turn on your iron and set it to medium heat. Iron the fold on the pants quickly. Don’t press too hard or too long unless you want to make marks on the pants. You can spray starch on the fold to make sure that it maintains the ironing.
Step 4. You can now have your kid wear the hemmed pants. The temporary hem will undo itself on the next wash.
What Are The Most Commonly Used Stitches When Hemming By Hand?
You can also hem pants by hand. You could do this temporarily or permanently. There are a few stitches that are commonly used when hemming by hand. The most common hemming stitch is the catch stitch.
The catch stitch is a popular stitch used to hem. The catch stitch is preferred most for hemming by hand since it is strong since it is a criss-cross technique stitch and flexible. It also adds elasticity to the hem it sews.
To make a catch stitch on a hem, you make your first stitch at the inside fold of the hem. Anchor your first stitch on the hem and between the fabric. To make your next stitch pick a thread on the fabric just above the fold of the hem. Then, go back to your hem and pick a thread of fabric to finish your first stitch. Pass your needle between the hem and the fabric so that it is not easily visible. Repeat this to the end of the hem.
The other common stitch to use for hemming is a blind stitch. As the name suggests, it is a barely visible stitch. This is what makes it a popular hemming stitch. It is best used with a double-fold hem.
Another common hemming stitch is the slip stitch. Also best used with a double-fold hem. The stitches of the slip stitch are hidden in the upper fold. Thus the stitches are not visible on the pants from the right side.
How To Hem Knit Fabrics?
Knit fabrics make comfortable pants and skirts. You can easily hem your knit garments with a serger or sewing machine.
To hem knit pants, pin the hem in place at the bottom of the pants.
Use many pins as the knit fabric stretches easily. Bring the knit garment to your sewing machine and sew the hem in place. As you sew, make sure that you hold your garment tightly and pull as you go.
Make your stitches loosely on your garment. If you make them too tight, they may tend to bunch since the knit fabric stretches easily.
When you finish hemming, pull lightly on both ends of the hemming to get the garment back in shape.
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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