Are your jeans too long and in need of hemming, but you want to preserve the original hem? Fret not, as there’s a clever method to achieve this, allowing you to maintain the integrity of the jeans’ design while adjusting the length to your liking. This technique not only ensures a professional finish but also respects the original craftsmanship of the jeans, giving them a renewed fit without sacrificing their original aesthetic.
The key to preserving the original hem lies in careful measuring and precision cutting. Begin by measuring the desired length of the jeans from the waist to the desired hemline, considering the desired cuff fold. Mark the new hemline with chalk or fabric marking pen, ensuring the line is parallel to the existing hem and evenly distributed around the legs. Once the measurements are accurate, carefully cut along the marked line, removing excess fabric while leaving the original hem intact.
With the excess fabric removed, the next step is to fold up the original hem to the desired cuff width. Use a hot iron to press the fold, creating a crisp and professional-looking cuff. To secure the hem, topstitch along the folded edge using a matching thread color. This stitching not only holds the cuff in place but also reinforces the original hem, ensuring its longevity. By following these steps, you can hem your jeans while preserving the original hem, giving them a tailored fit without compromising their original design.
Gather Necessary Materials
Tools
1. **Measuring tape or ruler**: Essential for accurately determining the desired hem length and ensuring evenness throughout the process. Opt for a flexible measuring tape that can conform to the curves of the jeans for precise measurements.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Fabric scissors | Cleanly and precisely cut the excess denim. |
| Seam ripper | Carefully remove the original hem without damaging the denim. |
| Hand sewing needle | Inconspicuously sew the new hem in place by hand. |
| Iron and ironing board | Press the hem for a professional-looking finish. |
Materials
1. **Jeans**: The jeans you intend to hem, ensuring they are clean and dry before starting.
2. **Thread**: Choose a thread color that closely matches the original hem for a seamless finish. Opt for a strong thread that can withstand wear and tear.
3. **Fabric adhesive (optional)**: Can be temporarily used to hold the hem in place before sewing, providing extra stability and preventing any shifting during the sewing process.
Determine Hem Length and Mark
Measure the inseam
To determine the desired hem length, first measure the desired inseam length. Start by putting on the jeans and standing up straight. With a fabric tape measure, measure the length from the crotch seam to the desired hem location. This will give you the inseam length.
If you don’t have a fabric tape measure, you can use a regular tape measure, but be sure to measure along the inside leg of the jeans, from the crotch seam to the desired hem location.
Mark the hem
Once you have the inseam length, mark the hem on the inside of the jeans using a fabric marker or tailor’s chalk. Start by folding up the hem to the desired length and creasing it firmly. Then, unfold the hem and use the crease as a guide to mark the hem with a fabric marker or tailor’s chalk.
Be sure to mark the hem evenly all the way around the leg, using the original hem as a guide to ensure a consistent and professional-looking finish.
Tip
If you are unsure about the desired hem length, it is always better to err on the side of caution and mark the hem a bit longer than you think you want it. You can always trim off more fabric later, but it is difficult to add fabric back on.
| Hem Length Measurement | Inseam Length |
|---|---|
| Full length | Original inseam length |
| Ankle length | Inseam length – 2-4 inches |
| Cropped length | Inseam length – 5-7 inches |
Stitch Hem Fold Using Original Stitch Line
Preparation
1. Gather your materials: needle, thread, and scissors.
2. Choose a thread color that matches your jeans.
3. Fold up the hem to your desired length, ensuring that it’s straight and even.
Steps
1. Start at the inside of the leg, about 1/2 inch from the side seam.
2. Insert the needle into the original hem line and pull the thread through.
3. Take a small stitch along the original stitch line, about 1/8 inch apart.
4. Continue stitching along the hem line, matching the original stitch length and direction.
5. When you reach the other side seam, finish the stitch and knot the thread.
6. Trim any excess thread.
7. Repeat the process on the other side of the jeans, ensuring that the hem lines are parallel and even.
Tips for a Professional-Looking Hem
– Use a fine needle and thread for a more delicate and durable stitch.
– Take your time and stitch carefully, avoiding any puckering or unevenness.
– If you’re not confident in your stitching abilities, practice on a scrap piece of denim before hemming your jeans.
– Iron the hem before and after stitching to ensure a crisp and professional-looking finish.
Unpin Hem and Trim Excess Thread
Once you’ve sewn around the new hem, remove the pins and check to ensure the hem is evenly stitched. If necessary, adjust the stitch length or tension to create a neat and secure seam. Trim any excess thread around the hem for a polished finish.
#### Unpinning the Hem
1. Carefully remove all the pins from the hem area, ensuring that none are left behind.
2. If any pins are difficult to remove, use a pair of pliers to gently pull them out.
3. Be cautious not to pull too hard on the fabric, as this can damage the seam.
#### Trimming Excess Thread
1. Use sharp scissors or a seam ripper to trim any excess thread around the hem.
2. Hold the scissors parallel to the hemline to avoid accidentally cutting the fabric.
3. For a clean finish, trim the thread as close to the seam as possible without damaging it.
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Sharp scissors | For precise cutting of excess thread |
| Seam ripper | For removing threads cleanly and safely |
| Pliers | To assist in removing stubborn pins |
Reinforce Hem With Top Stitch
Once you’ve sewn your hem in place, you can reinforce it with a top stitch. This will help to keep the hem from fraying or coming undone. To top stitch the hem, simply sew a straight stitch along the top edge of the hem, using a matching thread color. You can use a regular sewing machine or a serger to top stitch the hem.
Here are some tips for top stitching the hem:
- Use a matching thread color. This will help the top stitching to blend in with the fabric and create a more professional finish.
- Use a small stitch length. This will help to create a strong, durable stitch that will hold the hem in place.
- Start and stop sewing a few stitches away from the edge of the fabric. This will help to prevent the fabric from fraying.
- Sew slowly and carefully. This will help to ensure that the top stitching is even and consistent.
- Once you’ve sewn the top stitching, press the hem to set the stitches. This will help to create a clean, professional finish.
Top stitching the hem is a simple way to reinforce it and create a more professional finish. By following these tips, you can easily top stitch the hem on your jeans and keep them looking great for years to come.
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Use a matching thread color. | |
| Use a small stitch length. | |
| Start and stop sewing a few stitches away from the edge of the fabric. | |
| Sew slowly and carefully. | |
| Once you’ve sewn the top stitching, press the hem to set the stitches. |
How To Hem Jeans Keeping Original Hem
If you’re looking to hem your jeans without losing the original hem, there are a few steps you can follow. First, you’ll need to determine how much length you want to remove from the jeans. Once you know how much length you want to remove, you can start by folding up the hem to the desired length. Next, you’ll need to sew the hem in place. You can do this by hand or by machine. If you’re sewing the hem by hand, you’ll need to use a needle and thread to sew a blind stitch along the folded edge of the hem. If you’re sewing the hem by machine, you’ll need to use a sewing machine with a blind hem stitch.
Once you’ve sewn the hem in place, you’ll need to press it. You can do this by using a warm iron to press the hem flat. Once the hem is pressed, your jeans will be hemmed and you’ll still have the original hem intact.
People Also Ask About How To Hem Jeans Keeping Original Hem
How do you hem jeans without losing the original hem?
To hem jeans without losing the original hem, you can follow the steps outlined in the main article. First, determine how much length you want to remove from the jeans. Then, fold up the hem to the desired length and sew it in place using a blind stitch or a machine with a blind hem stitch. Once the hem is sewn in place, press it with a warm iron.
Can you hem jeans without cutting the original hem?
Yes, you can hem jeans without cutting the original hem. By following the steps in the main article, you can hem your jeans and keep the original hem intact.
How do you hem jeans with a sewing machine?
To hem jeans with a sewing machine, you’ll need to use a machine with a blind hem stitch. Once you have a machine with a blind hem stitch, you can follow the steps in the main article to hem your jeans.
How do you hem jeans by hand?
To hem jeans by hand, you’ll need to use a needle and thread to sew a blind stitch along the folded edge of the hem. You can follow the steps in the main article to hem your jeans by hand.
