How to Hem Jeans While Keeping Original Hem

Short people rejoice! Here's an easy way to hem those jeans and keep the original distressed hem.

SUPPLIES USED

Sewing machine used was provided by Spiegel.

[ProfessorPincushion]

A lot of people wonder why you take the total hem amount and cut this number in half. If I fold up 1" and sew at the top, it's 1" on the front and 1" on the back, meaning I'm eventually cutting off a total of 2" from the bottom of the pants. If your still unsure, pin your hem and try them on before sewing and cutting, this way it'll turn out perfectly. Sorry for the confusion and I hope this helps.

[fpwest]

This tutorial is brilliant. I just did this for two pairs of jeans this weekend. They came out perfectly. I've never touched a sewing machine, until now.

[juliexiong]

Wow, she called me out by telling me to stop folding the bottom of my pants. Oof. I felt that

[mamamillwright]

Thank you SO MUCH for going slow. Keeping the camera in focus, and not having your fingers in the way!!! ❤❤❤❤ Love this video

[callahancovington]

I watched several tutorials on this and yours is by far:

1) has the best quality video and audio
2) has the most clear and concise instructions

Thank you!

[brian]

Absolutely outstanding video. My mother was a seamstress. Just one of the reasons I miss her.

[annedavey]

Thank you - worked perfectly. For people out there who, like me, don't have a sewing machine, it is really easy to do by hand.

[gardenlovers]

I'm a beginner (very novice) sewer, and after watching your video I tried to hem my daughter's jeans and they came out perfect! I can't thank you enough. Your video was so clear to follow. Can't wait for my next project. Thank you!

[lindakwilman]

After watching this video, I just used this for three new pairs of jeans. How have I lived for 50 years and not known this trick?! Nice job and thank you so much for sharing!

[degucitas]

hint for Moms: don't cut off the excess fabric. Just whip stitch it down and forgo the topstitching. You can let it out later for your growing kid, or another kid!! Mom of 4 here.

[norwood]

Brilliant!! For years i’ve had a rubbish hem on my jeans when shortening them... but no more!!
Have just shortened 3 new pairs of Superdry shorts... Ruddy perfect, distressed look an all, and
i’m a 70 year old guy whos only ever hand sown a few things before.
I have been staring at that sowing machine for years (one of the only things my wife left when
she buggered off), it’s now my best friend thanks to your vid!! Oh, and the one that showed me
where the cotton goes on the machine...
Thank you!!

[TheJanesaw]

Thank you for the tutorial. I have 3 pair of new jeans i needed to hem, my wife wanted me to take them to a seamstress but after watching the video i was confident i could do it myself. Just finished my 2nd pair. they look great and my wife conceded that you can't tell that they have been hemmed.

[susanvandeventer]

Thank you! I am horrible at sewing but wanted to preserve a decorative hem on a pair of pajama bottoms that were too long. Your instructions were so clear and complete that I was able to shorten them and keep the original hem. Yay!

[dlsak]

Fantastic method for jeans. I always hated when they were hemmed and it was so noticeable due to the conventional method. I'm a dude and currently having my Mom give me sewing lessons on the sewing machine. She taught me as a kid basic hand sewing. I think it's smart for dudes to learn this stuff. Between my Mom and Youtube, I want to learn not just hemming but will/am learning how to take in the waist on pants, sizing down a t shirt and also the easy method of turning baggy jeans to slim/skinny ones. Thank you for the video. My mom will love it.

[sheshe]

I figured this myself when I was 15 years old and since been doing it. There are also fabric tapes to prevent it from folding in addition to stitching the corners.

[soniaclarkson]

What!!!! Her instructions could NOT be more CLEAR and straight forward! I hav never touched a sewing machine and hemmed all my jeans after watching.

[debrareynaga]

I am a newbie to sewing, made a promise that was...beyond my skill lol and this video saved me! Thank you for this tip it was so easy and turned out great!

[domenicosuppappola]

BG Clarinet below commented that after you fold back the cuff to the desired fit length you should "include the original hem when measuring" from the bottom edge and before dividing by 2 to determine the material to be shortened out. After trying your method and hers I believe she is correct (try it with a strip of paper pretending it's a pants leg to convince yourself). If you do not include the hem in the measurement, your pants will be too long by the length of the original hem, and especially noticeable if the original hem is very wide. Nonetheless you have a very nice, informative video!

[blueberry_lemon]

My mom dug out some early 2000s jeans recently that were too long for her liking now. I just hemmed both of them and they turned out great! This tutorial was really easy to follow! I appreciate it!

[juliete]

I've been sewing (buttons, experiments) for 25+ years, but never hemmed and was shocked I accidentally ordered jeans for tall, and 5 inches needed to be hemmed & I didn't want a raw hem; long story short, I found your video & it gave me the confidence I needed to hem them myself and I did... Perfectly!! Thank you much!!!