Do you have a pair of pants that you love the fit, but are way too long? Here are a few tips to help you shorten them to the perfect length. You can do this by hand or by machine. If you are sewing by hand, make sure to use a needle that is small enough to fit through the fabric without damaging it. Start by folding the excess fabric at the bottom of the pants leg in half, then fold it in half again. This will give you a crease that you can use as a guide for sewing. Next, use a sewing machine or needle and thread to stitch along the crease. Once you have finished sewing, turn the pants leg right side out and press the hem.
If you are using a sewing machine, start by setting the stitch length to a medium setting. Next, fold the excess fabric at the bottom of the pants leg in half, then fold it in half again. This will give you a crease that you can use as a guide for sewing. Next, place the pants leg under the presser foot of the sewing machine and sew along the crease. Once you have finished sewing, turn the pants leg right side out and press the hem.
If you are not comfortable sewing, you can also take your pants to a tailor to have them shortened. This is a good option if you want a professional finish. However, it will cost you more than doing it yourself.
The Hemming Option
Hemming is the most common way to make pants shorter, and it can be done by a tailor or at home with a sewing machine. This method involves folding up the excess fabric on the bottom of the pants and sewing it in place, effectively shortening the leg length. Hemming provides a clean and professional finish and is suitable for most types of pants.
Process of Hemming
- Measure and mark: Turn the pants inside out and put them on. Mark the desired hem length on the inside leg seam using a pin or chalk.
- Fold and iron: Fold up the excess fabric on the hem mark towards the inside of the pants and press it with an iron to create a crease.
- Sew the hem: Use a sewing machine to sew the folded fabric in place, making sure to use a matching thread color. Start and end the seam with a few back stitches for extra reinforcement, and then topstitch (sew along the edge of the fold) for a professional-looking finish.
Factors to Consider When Hemming
Before hemming pants, consider the following factors:
| Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Seam allowance: | Leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of extra fabric at the bottom of the pants for folding and sewing the hem. |
| Pant style: | Culottes and wide-leg pants may require more fabric for the hem to maintain the fullness of the garment. |
| Shoe height: | If you plan on wearing the pants with high heels, leave a bit more length for the hem to accommodate the extra height. |
| Fabric type: | Some fabrics, such as denim, may require a specialized seam or edge treatment to prevent fraying. |
Lengthening the Inseam
To lengthen the inseam, you can either remove the hem or add a new piece of fabric. If you remove the hem, you will need to re-hem the pants to the desired length. If you add a new piece of fabric, you will need to sew it to the bottom of the pants and then hem the new seam. Here are详细步骤 to follow:
- Remove the pants’ hem. To do this, use a seam ripper to carefully remove the stitches that hold the hem in place.
- Measure the desired inseam length. To do this, measure from the bottom of the waistband to the bottom of where you want the pants to end.
- Add the desired inseam length to the existing length of the pants. To do this, add the desired inseam length to the measurement you took in step 2.
- Cut a new piece of fabric that is the desired inseam length. To do this, use a tape measure and scissors to cut a piece of fabric that is the desired length and width.
- Sew the new piece of fabric to the bottom of the pants. To do this, use a sewing machine to sew the new piece of fabric to the bottom of the pants, using a straight stitch.
- Hem the new seam. To do this, fold the raw edge of the new seam over by 1/2 inch and press it. Then, fold the raw edge over by 1/2 inch again and press it. Finally, topstitch the hem in place using a sewing machine.
Extending the Fabric
If your pants are only slightly too long, you can extend the fabric at the hem. This is a relatively simple alteration that can be done by hand or with a sewing machine.
- Turn the pants inside out and measure how much you need to add to the length.
- Cut a piece of fabric that is the same length as the measurement you took in step 1 and at least 2 inches wide.
- Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and press it to create a crease.
- Open the fabric out and align the raw edges with the raw edges of the pant hem.
- Pin the fabric in place and sew it to the pants using a straight stitch.
- Turn the pants right side out and press the hem to finish.
- Repeat these steps for the other pant leg.
Tips:
- Use a fabric that is similar in weight and texture to the pants fabric.
- If you are using a sewing machine, use a stitch that is strong and durable, such as a topstitch or zigzag stitch.
- Press the hem well to give it a professional finish.
Adding a Cuff
Adding a cuff to the bottom of your pants is a simple and effective way to shorten them. This technique involves folding up the bottom hem of the pants and securing it with stitching to create a cuff.
Materials you’ll need:
1. Pants that are too long
2. Measuring tape or ruler
3. Fabric scissors
4. Sewing needle and thread or sewing machine
5. Iron and ironing board
Steps:
- Measure the desired cuff width: Determine how wide you want the cuff to be. A typical cuff width ranges from 1 to 2 inches.
- Fold up the bottom hem: Fold up the bottom hem of the pants twice, creating a double fold. The first fold should be equal to the desired cuff width, and the second fold should cover the raw edge of the first fold.
- Pin the cuff: Use pins to secure the folded hem in place. Make sure the pins are evenly spaced and perpendicular to the hemline.
- Sew the cuff: You can either hand-stitch the cuff or use a sewing machine to stitch along the top edge of the folded hem. Use a stitch that is strong enough to hold the fabric securely.
- Press the cuff: Once the cuff is sewn, press it with an iron to flatten the seam and give it a professional finish.
- Repeat for the other pant leg: Measure, fold, pin, and sew the cuff on the other pant leg to ensure symmetry.
- For a more tailored look, you can use fusible webbing to bond the folded hem to the pants before sewing.
- If you want to be able to remove the cuff later, use temporary fabric tape instead of stitching.
- For a more relaxed look, fold up the bottom hem once instead of twice before sewing.
| Cuff Width | Occasion |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | Casual or semi-formal events |
| 1.5 inches | Business casual or smart casual events |
| 2 inches | Dressy or formal events |
Tips:
How To Make Pants Not As Long
If you find yourself with a pair of pants that are too long, there are a few things you can do to make them shorter. One option is to take them to a tailor, who can hem them for you. However, this can be a costly option. If you’re on a budget, there are a few DIY methods you can try.
One way to shorten pants is to fold up the hem. This is a quick and easy method, but it can make the pants look bulky. To fold up the hem, start by turning up the bottom of the pants by about 1 inch. Then, fold up the hem again by another 1 inch. Press the hem with an iron to set it in place.
Another way to shorten pants is to cut off the excess length. This is a more permanent solution, but it can be tricky to do it evenly. To cut off the excess length, start by measuring the pants to determine how much you need to remove. Then, mark the spot where you want to cut the pants. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the pants, being careful not to cut too much off.
Once you’ve cut the pants to the desired length, you’ll need to hem them. You can do this by hand or by machine. If you’re hemming the pants by hand, use a needle and thread to sew the hem in place. If you’re hemming the pants by machine, use a zigzag stitch to sew the hem in place.
People Also Ask About
How to make pants shorter without hemming?
There are a few ways to make pants shorter without hemming. One option is to fold up the hem. This is a quick and easy method, but it can make the pants look bulky. Another option is to use a fabric adhesive to bond the hem in place. This method is permanent, but it can be difficult to do evenly.
How to make dress pants shorter?
Dress pants can be shortened using the same methods as regular pants. However, it’s important to be careful not to damage the fabric. If you’re not comfortable shortening dress pants yourself, it’s best to take them to a tailor.
How to make jeans shorter without cutting?
There are a few ways to make jeans shorter without cutting. One option is to roll up the hem. This is a quick and easy method, but it can make the jeans look bulky. Another option is to use a fabric adhesive to bond the hem in place. This method is permanent, but it can be difficult to do evenly.
