Hemming Jeans While Keeping Original Hem

Supplies:

• Brother ST371HD Strong & Tough sewing machine
  
• Standard zipper Foot
• 14/90 denim jean needle
• Pins
• Tailors chalk or fabric marking tool
• Seam gauge
• Universal polyester thread
• Sharp scissors

What happens if you need to shorten a pair of jeans but you don’t want to lose the original hem? Perhaps the hem is distressed or has a unique top stitching that you don't want to have to match. No problem! Here is an easy way to hem jeans AND keep the original hem.

Marking the Hem:

1. Try on the jeans and pin the hem in place.

2. Measure the amount to be shortened. In this example it looks like we need to shorten the jeans 1 inch. Once you have this noted, you can unpin this hem mark on your jeans.

3. On the right side of the jeans, mark the amount to be hemmed with chalk – I use this chalk mark to double check my math later on. IMPORTANT: Here is the big difference from marking a normal pant hem; instead of measuring from the original hemline up, start the measurement just above the original topstitching line as shown.

4. Divide the total to be hemmed by 2; in this case 1 inch divided by 2 = ½”.
5. Fold the jean hem up toward the right side of the garment. Measuring from the original hem allowance fold, create a fold ½” away. Place a pin along the previous fold as shown.

Set Up the Sewing Machine:

1. Set Up your machine as follows:

• Change the sewing machine needle to a 14/90 Denim/Jean needle
• Set your stitch length 3.0 or 3.5
• Change to the zipper foot

2. If your machine has a free arm where it allows for fabric to feed underneath the machine, remove the front or side panel opening up the free arm. Here I am using the Brother Strong & Tough Machine and the front panel easily slides off.

Hemming:

3. Slide the jean fabric onto the sewing machine and lineup the zipper foot with the edge of the original hem allowance folded edge. Check that the needle enters the fabric as close to the l original hem allowance as possible. (I am using contrasting thread so you can see it better)

4. Stitch all the way around the pant leg.

5. Pull back the hem and double check that the previous stitch line matches up with the chalked hem marking.

6. Trim off the excess fabric; about ¼ of an inch away from your stitch line.

7. Finish the raw edges. Run the raw edge through the serger for a fast professional finish or choose an edge finishing stitch on the sewing machine like a zigzag stitch or over-lock stitch.

8. Press along the stitch line, making sure the original hem hangs correctly.

9. Press the hem allowance the opposite direction of the hem. If you are concerned about the hem allowance falling down, tack the hem allowance at the inseam and outside leg seam.

10. That’s it! Think of the money you will save hemming your own jeans! Here is the view with one pant leg hemmed and one original. You can just barely see the folded edge at the new hemline, but remember the hemline is at your feet and most people are not going to bend down to check your seamstress work.

Cheers, Angela Save