What Is Hemming Pants

If you’re short, then you must have to make routine trips to the tailor every time you buy a new pair of trousers or pants. Hemming pants can be a really irritating and expensive affair, but you can also start doing it at home. Take matters into your own hands!

Some people like to use their sewing machine in case they want a permanent solution. You do not necessarily need a sewing machine if you would like to hem your pants. In fact, there are a lot of simple and easy DIY pant hemming methods that you can choose from.

What is Pant Hemming?

Pant hemming is a process where the original length of the trousers is shortened in a simple and unnoticeable manner. The “hem” is also the technical term of the end of the trousers, and hemming is a way to shorten pants’ length without spoiling the item.

Most clothes have multiple hems in them. T-shirts usually have one one in each sleeve, one along the edge and one near the collar. Similarly, full leg trousers also have hems near the ankle and the length of the pants might need to be reduced, especially if you’re vertically challenged.

Tips to Help You Hem Your Pants

Here are some of the most useful and clever DIY tips that will help you to hem your pants. You will be able to save a significant amount of money on repeated trips to the tailor every time you buy new clothes also.

Tip 1: Try on Pants With the Right Shoes

While you are out shopping for pants, make sure that you try them on before buying. Also, it is recommended that you try the pants out while wearing the shoes that you plan to wear. This will help you while hemming.

If you plan to wear a pair of trousers with pumps or heels, then it’s a good idea to try them out while you are wearing the heels (or at least, something of a similar shoe height). You should also avoid wearing flats while you are out shopping for trousers.

Tip 2: Try to Work On Hemming with a Friend

While you’re measuring your pant legs’ length before hemming, you’ll need to place a pin in the right place. It is difficult to bend over and mark the place while you’re working. Ask someone to help you during this stage.

As said before, it is very hard to get the exact marking right when you are bending over on your own. Have a friend mark the spot for you while you are hemming pants so that there are not any mistakes or inaccuracies. This is a very simple DIY tip.

Tip 3: Do Not Cut Off Too Much Cloth

When you take out the original hem of your pants, you will notice that there’s about an inch of fabric that was rolled up in it. Don’t cut off too much of this roll if you don’t want to mess up.

The reason for this is actually pretty simple to understand. You can remove as much cloth from the hem of your pants as you like, but it is impossible to add extra cloth to it. This is why you should be very, very careful while cutting off the pants’ hem.

Tip 4: Turn Your Pants Inside Out Before You Start Hemming

You will need to work on the inside of each leg while you’re hemming pants. The best way to take care of this is to turn the pants inside out. This will help you measure the hem very easily.

Take each leg and roll them up to the length that you like, and make sure that you have taken all measurements correctly. Keep a little as a “hem allowance”, since the curvature of the buttocks accounts for some of the cloth. Ensure that both legs are the same length.

How to Hem Pants By Using a Sewing Machine

Here are the steps that you need to follow, if you want to learn how to hem your pants when you are using a sewing machine. If you have a sewing machine, then hemming your own pants will be super easy.

Step 1: Gather All Of Your Materials: Before you begin, gather all the things that you need and keep them within your reach. You will need a seam ripper, straight pins, an iron, an ironing board, a measuring tape, scissors, proper thread and a sewing machine. Gather everything up together.

Step 2: Remove the Original Hem of the Pair: You need to turn your pants inside out and lay them flat on the ironing board. Then, you need to use a seam ripper to remove the stitches of the original hem of the pair. Unroll the fabric and iron it.

Step 3: Fold and Pin the Pants: After you are done ripping the original hem, fold the pant legs until you reach the length that you are comfortable with. Ensure that the folds stay in place by inserting straight pins. Ensure that the pins are parallel to the new hem.

You should also make sure that you are inserting the pins at the top of the fold. After you have inserted the pins, you should try out the pants once to make sure that the length is right. Keep making adjustments and continue folding until both the lengths are perfect.

Step 4: Iron the Fold & Trim: Next, you need to iron the folds that you have made on each pant leg. This will create a crease and will show you exactly where you need to make the trim. Remove the pins from the folds, unroll it and lay it flat.

After this step, use your measuring tape and mark the point which is exactly an inch below the crease you have just made. This is the “hem allowance”, and it will allow you to avoid any large cuts in fabric. Use scissors and trim the pants upto the marked point.

Step 5: Fold, Pin and Sew: Fold the new length half an inch, iron it and then place a pin in it. This will help you to protect the raw edge of the pant leg from getting frayed as well. Iron and pin once again to ensure it lays flat.

Load the bobbin and the top spool of your machine with a thread that matches the colour of your pants. Then sew a medium length straight stitch on the pants – and make sure you remember to remove the pins as you sew. Once you’re done, remember to iron once again.

Can I hem pants without having to use a sewing machine?

Yes, you will be able to hem your trousers even if you don’t have a sewing machine. There are many DIY ways to hem your pants, such as using safety pins, fabric tape, etc. Making use of all these techniques means you don’t need to use a sewing machine.

In fact, you can hem with your hands as well. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, then it is best to do your hemming with the help of a needle and a spool of coloured thread.

What is a blind hem?

A blind hem is a type of method that will allow you to create clean lines that are not easily seen. If you are hemming trousers that are made of light or medium weight material, then blind hems can be a very good idea.

This has been a comprehensive beginners’ guide to all you need to know about hemming your trousers. This is a valuable life hack and life skill that will save you a lot of money as well. You also know how to hem your pants with a sewing machine.