How to Hem Jeans

Last Updated: September 14, 2022 References

Finding jeans with just the right leg length straight off the rack is nearly impossible. If you've found jeans that fit but are too long, then you can take them to a tailor or sew a new hem yourself. You can either keep the original hem, or you can create a new hem. Keep in mind that working with denim can be tricky, so there are a few strategies you may want to use to ensure a successful project.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating a New Hem

1
Mark your jeans where you'd like the new hem to be. The best way to do this is to put your jeans on (or have the person who will be wearing the jeans put them on) and fold the cuff under until the jeans are the length you'd like them to be. Then, use a piece of chalk to mark the spot where the new hem should end.^{[1]
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2
Measure and mark two more lines. Measure ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) from the hem line and draw a line above it that is running parallel to the first one. Then, measure and mark another ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) below the original line and draw the line so it is parallel to the original one as well.^{[2]
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- Now you should have three lines total. These lines will serve as a guide for you to sew the new hem.
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3
Cut along the bottom line. Cut off the bottom of the jeans and the old hem. To do this, cut in a straight line along the bottom line that you made. Discard the material that you cut off.^{[3]
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4
Fold the new hem under. Next, fold along the center chalk line to create the new hem. You may also want to pin along the new hem to hold it in place while you sew. Check to make sure that the hem is even all the way around before you sew.^{[4]
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Research source} Professional tailor Andrea Beaulieu suggests "ironing the fold first and then tapping along the edge firmly with a hammer to get a neat edge on your hem."
5
Sew the new hem. Using some gold denim thread, or the thread color of your choice, sew around the area you pinned to hold the new hem in place. Use a straight stitch and try to keep it as even as possible.^{[5]
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- Remove the pins as you go.
- After you sew around both hems, your jeans will be ready to wear!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Keeping the Original Hem

1
Decide where to hem. Try on your jeans and decide where you would like to hem them. Generally, jeans should fall about an inch above the floor. This will prevent you from tripping and also avoid making your jeans look like they are a size too small. Feel free to alter the length to meet your personal preferences though. Professional tailor Andrea Beaulieu suggests "marking the length you want with chalk or a pin."
2
Fold up the bottom. Create a cuff where you want the jeans to be hemmed. Crease the fold so it lies flat and double-check that you've folded it up by the correct amount. Once you've done this on one side, measure just below the preexisting hem and use that measurement to create an equal fold on the other leg.
3
Pin the hem in place. Place straight pins around the circumference of the pant leg to hold it in place. Check to be sure the seams line up on each pant leg as well as that they are even with each other.^{[6]
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4
Sew the hem. Stitch around the circumference of the pant leg just below the stitching for the existing hem. You can use a sewing machine or do this by hand. To be clear, you will be sewing the cuff to the pant leg and later will fold it inside the leg. This will allow you to take out the hem later if you grow taller or want the pants longer at a later point in time.
5
Unfold the hem. Tuck the excess fabric of the folded cuff up into the leg of the jeans, folding the original hem down so its outer side shows once again. This should leave you a small loop of fabric along the bottom edge of the jeans inside the leg. Try on the jeans to make sure they are at the correct length.
- If you don't expect to want to lengthen the jeans at any point, then you can also cut the excess fabric. Cut the excess fabric about 1 inch away from the new seam you have created.^{[7]
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6
Iron the jeans. Use an iron to flatten out the hem you've created along the bottom edge. This will smooth out the loop of fabric tucked into the leg, and leave your jeans looking the perfect length with no tell-tale hemming signs.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Ensuring a Successful Project

1
Wash the jeans before you hem them. According to professional tailor Andrea Beaulieu, "Denim often shrinks in both width and length when cleaned, so it's important to work with jeans that are already washed and dried." Washing them first will help to ensure that you do not make the hem too short.
- Make sure to follow the instructions on the label for washing your jeans.
2
Use a new needle. It is important to change your sewing machine needle after every four hours of sewing or after finishing a major project to ensure that it is sharp enough to do the job. If you have not changed the needle in a while, then put in a new needle before you begin sewing the new hem.^{[8]
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3
Go slow. Denim and other bulky fabrics can be a bit harder to sew. They may get caught more easily, or not move as efficiently through the presser foot. To ensure that your stitches are even and straight, sew slowly.^{[9]
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- Start by applying very light pressure on the pedal to get the stitches started and then only increase the speed slightly if the fabric seems to be moving along well.
- If the fabric gets stuck, then you can always use the hand wheel to help move it along.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you do a straight hem?

Andrea Beaulieu
Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer
Andrea Beaulieu is a Professional Tailor, Fashion Designer, and the Owner of MOORE, a Brooklyn, New York based storefront and apparel workshop for gender-neutral, contemporary streetwear as well as custom-tailored products. Andrea has over 20 years in the fashion design and marketing industries and specializes in pattern making, draping, and the construction of garments. She holds a BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Andrea Beaulieu

Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Before you sew the hem, iron the fold so that it's perfectly flat and straight. For denim, it's also a good idea to hammer the fold so it's softer and easier to sew straight.
Question

Do I need to do anything to prep my jeans before I hem them?

Andrea Beaulieu
Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer
Andrea Beaulieu is a Professional Tailor, Fashion Designer, and the Owner of MOORE, a Brooklyn, New York based storefront and apparel workshop for gender-neutral, contemporary streetwear as well as custom-tailored products. Andrea has over 20 years in the fashion design and marketing industries and specializes in pattern making, draping, and the construction of garments. She holds a BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Andrea Beaulieu

Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Before you hem your denim jeans, make sure they've been recently washed, soaked, and dried. Denim often shrinks in both width and length when it's clean, so doing this will ensure that the jeans aren't too short once you wash them. It's also helpful to iron the hem, then hammer it (yes, with an actual hammer) to the denim will be easier to sew.
Question

How do I sew through the thick seam on my jeans?

Community Answer

If you are using a sewing machine, make sure you change the needle out to a denim or other heavy-duty needle. By doing this, you will ensure that the needle goes through the denim and does not break.