How To Hem Jeans

Step 1

Start by putting the jeans on so you can figure out where you want the new hem to be. When you’ve decided where you want the new hemline to fall, fold the bottoms of your jeans up so that the existing hem lines up with where you want the new hem to go. Once the bottoms are folded, take the jeans off.

Step 2

Make sure to line up the side seams of the jeans, then use sewing pins to pin the hem in place.

Step 3

Next, it’s time to sew! Thread your sewing machine with any thread you have on hand, since it won’t actually show when you’re done. Carefully sew a straight line directly below the original hem.

Step 4

After you’ve sewed the new hemline, you have two options for the excess fabric. You can leave it alone, tuck it up into the pant leg. If you choose to cut the excess fabric off, either use fabric adhesive or a zigzag stitch along the cut edge to prevent fraying.

Step 5

Unfold the bottoms of your jeans and iron the hem down.