I want to start hemming my own pants. Most pants, even if they're marketed as "short", they still need to be hemmed by an inch or two. My issue is I get most of my pants at the thrift store. I can't get past paying at least $15 to hem a $3/$4 pair of pants.
I already have a sewing machine and all the things needed to go with it.
Does anyone of good video tutorials I can watch to learn this? Or if you have any good advice to get started.
Hemming your own pants- any tips/videos that were helpful?
byu/Sea-Property-6369 inFrugal
Posted by Sea-Property-6369
5 Comments
Use hem tape. Iron it on.
And so, once again (because you certainly aren’t alone in your situation) I happily give hemming instructions.
1. Determine how much shorter you want them. Don’t forget to allow some width for the hem. Pin it in place when you’re happy with it. Turn the fabric under twice so the raw edge doesn’t show.
2. Thread your needle or machine with matching thread.
3. If using a machine, lift the presser foot and put the pinned fabric between the presser foot and the silver plate. Use the lines on the plate to keep it straight. If not, skip to #5.
4. Lower the presser foot. Press the pedal gently to start the sewing. Go all around this way. Repeat for the other leg.
5. When hemming by hand: use the threaded needle to pick up the fabric you folded under earlier, beginning with the inside seam. Repeat to form a loop. Put the needle through the loop and pull it tight.
6. Use the needle to pick up the main fabric of the garment. Pull it through.
7. Choose a point that’s about an inch to the left or right of the inside seam.
8. Use the needle to pick up the main part of the garment and the fabric you folded under. Bring the needle through both. Pull it snug.
9. When you have done that three or four times, tie another knot, just as you did at the first. Repeat this pattern until you’ve gone all around. Tie a final knot as you did at the beginning.
Tying a knot every few stitches saves work later, should the hem stitch be broken.
Should you need to reload the needle, tie a knot, snip the thread, reload, and begin as step 5.
I don’t know about videos. I learned this from my grandma. I hope it helps!
Make sure you have an iron or small steamer. Diana Rupp’s ‘Sew Everything Workshop’ is a great book for starting out
I “hem” my pants with stitch-witchery and an iron. It helps if you have a sewing gadge to get an even hem.
Mark the length you want them with a piece of chalk or washable marker or a pin.
Turn pants inside out.
Then iron into position where you want the pants to finish. So the fabric that’s too long is now ironed up inside the leg.
Don’t cut yet! You need a seam allowance. Some people use an inch, some less.
Once your new edge is ironed, cut, allowing the extra inch.
Now unfold the pants, ensuring that new length is firmly marked or ironed in.
With your sewing machine, firstly do a zig zag stitch across your new raw edge that you’ve just cut. To prevent fraying.
Now fold back up to position. Now you can stitch your hem. Load matching coloured thread for the fabric. Change your machine to stitch in a straight line. First practice on your off cuts.
If you’re hemming jeans you may need to switch to a heavier needle. If you’re sewing stretch fabric you need to switch to a ball needle that is not sharp.
After writing all this, $15 seems like a bargain. But that’s probably because I pay full price for clothes and don’t shop too often. You don’t need to hem too often if you don’t go through many clothes.