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Tutorial: How to Hem Jeans (and Stop Paying For Hemming Alterations)

July 29, 2014 by SewMaris 15 Comments

If you own a decent sewing machine, all you need to do is buy a couple of inexpensive tools and you will be all set to hem your own jeans and casual pants. As a matter of fact, you could quickly start charging your friends to do their hemming alterations!

Video Tutorial: How to Hem Jeans by Sew MAris

Here are the tools/supplies you will need:

  1. Size 100 Jeans needle
  2. Jean-a-majig
  3. Denim or topstitching thread to match the garment
  4. Scissors
  5. Sewing machine

Watch this video to learn just how easy it is to properly hem a pair of jeans. You’ve got this, peeps!!

 

 

Happy sewing!

Maris

Filed Under: Tutorials

Previous Post: « Tutorial: How to Sew a Blind Hem
Next Post: Let’s Get Tanked Up! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deanna {sewmccool}

    July 31, 2014 at 7:16 am

    I’m a big fan of the Jean-a-majig, though I’ll admit I still don’t enjoy hemming jeans. This is a fab video!! Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      July 31, 2014 at 8:13 am

      Thanks Deanna! I love the Jean-a-majig too!

      Reply
  2. Phyllis

    August 4, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Hi Maris: I watched your video on pant hemming, but think it only applies when the pant is waaaaay too long!
    My daughter tells me that the alterationists, don’t remove any fabric when shortening pants several inches. They do a series of folds, and then apparently stitch in the ditch, and voila, a new hem.
    I would love to know how to do this simple hemming method.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      August 9, 2014 at 11:56 am

      Hi Phyllis,
      I know about the technique you are describing, but I don’t use it. IMHO you can see the fold from the outside of the pant leg, and I prefer the technique I described here. To each his own, right? Happy sewing!
      Maris

      Reply
  3. Annette

    September 2, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    I love the pink thread! I think this is the more preferred way to hem jeans. Maris, you are doing a great service sharing this.

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      September 2, 2014 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks Annette. I am not a fan of the “fold and pretend top sew a new hem” approach, either. Let’s do it right, eh? 😉

      Reply
      • Annette

        September 2, 2014 at 7:21 pm

        I have considered the fold hem for growing boys, but I find the technique being heavy. I would rather just hem a little long for them and turn them into shorts later.

        Reply
        • SewMaris

          September 2, 2014 at 7:22 pm

          It is heavy and I think it looks less professional on the right side too. Just my opinion of course. 😉

          Reply
  4. Sheila Wyss

    October 9, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    Great video

    Reply
  5. Karen

    November 7, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    We did alterations and pants shortening at the Bridal Store I owned and always cut the pants off before hemming. With jeans you can never let them down should you want to change the length because the fold line always shows. That way is too bulky at the bottom and they rarely hang properly.

    Reply
  6. katie

    May 23, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    Thank you! You gave a great explanation on how to use the Jean-a-majig.
    I can’t wait to try this.

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      May 24, 2015 at 7:53 am

      Have fun hemming, Katie!

      Reply
  7. Aimee

    July 20, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    Hello, one question regarding the cutting of fabric. Do you find that the hem looks best when you have a straight cut or do you round it a little? I scored several pairs of jeans from a boutique that are WAY too long for me and plan on wearing these for work, so I would like them to look professional.

    Thanks,
    Aimee

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      July 20, 2015 at 7:17 pm

      Hi Aimee,
      I always just straight cut my jeans before hemming. Good luck!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tutorial – How to Hem Jeans Like a Pro says:
    September 12, 2014 at 2:53 am

    […] Tutorial at Sew Maris Blog […]

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