Hemming Tutorial: How To Hem With Originals using a Sewing Machine!

[BabyJ]

Okay folks! I promised I'd make a guide on this when I got a new pair of jeans to hem, and alas, the day has come!

What you'll need:

1. Sewing machine
2. Denim needle loaded on your machine
3. Thread
4. Measuring tape
5. Pins(optional)


Step 1:
*Measure the inseam of your jeans to determine how much length to take off. You can also put them on, pin them to length you want, then take them off carefully. Mine measured 34" - I need 31". So that means I need to hem them 3". Divide this number in half. 3/2 = 1.5

*Now that you have your number, cuff your jeans that amount, like so:



*Make sure to NOT include the original hem in this measurement. Measure all the way around the cuff every 2-3 inches to make sure it's the same all the way around. Just starting out, you should pin it in place(I don't do this any more as I have a steady hand and good eye)


Step 2:
*Load your jeans under the needle:



*You can use whatever thread color you want for this step - this thread will not be seen. I used white so you could see my stitches.

*Sew as closely as you can to the original thread on the hem without going over it! It's okay if you don't stay completely straight(as you can see, I didn't) as long you don't stitch over the original thread:



*Continue all the way around the cuff, then remove from sewing machine.


Step 3:
*Flip the cuff so that it goes right-side in:





*Repeat on other leg





Final Step!
*Load your machine with thread that closely matches your jeans. For my med-lighter wash jeans I use clear thread.

*Load your jeans back under the needle like so:



*Sew all the way around the cuff, staying as close to the edge of your fold as possible.



*Repeat on other leg. FINISHED!!!

[damaris]

How funny. I just got a machine today and that's exactly what I did. Super guide!! Where do you get clear thread?

[gatorfan]

Nice tutorial Thanks BabyJ! I gotta try one of these days, I'm scared though, I don't think I can do it perfectly straight since I can't sew at all!
(I bought a machine but it's still in the box )

[BabyJ]

You can get clear thread at any fabric/craft store

[justash]

that looks so easy! I want to hem my jeans now.

What kind of sewing machine do you have? How much was it?

*nosey*

[babypoison]

oooooh awesome tutorial I just need a sewing machine now.

[BabyJ]

Hehe, it's a Kenmore Mini Ultra. I got it from Sears for like $80 bucks

[nnnola]

that's a great guide Jess!
this is perfect for those that are too afraid to use mine..since mine involves SCISSORS

[rrdenim]

i should stitch over my hems with clear thread! good idea...

[damaris]

^ That's exactly what I thought - SCISSORS. I figured I would start with something that could be removed, like the fold method.

[y0_Linny]

i LOVE it. I really want a sewing machine. It seems so much faster than by hand. Oi. I've poked myself so many times with those needles

[justash]

thanks

Are those your baby blue hefners?

you should make this an ebay guide

[BabyJ]

Ewwww, I just realized you can see my knuckle hair

[Lov2Shop]

Jess, what an awesome guide!! I sew a little and I think that I can manage doing this. The best part is that if I mess up I can just cut the stitching out and start over.

[BabyJ]

Originally Posted by y0_Linny

i LOVE it. I really want a sewing machine. It seems so much faster than by hand. Oi. I've poked myself so many times with those needles

Yep, Waaaay faster! I used to hem by hand before my sewing machine, and that took like an hour! This takes me 10 minutes tops


Ash - they're my baby blue hefs

[Lov2Shop]

How do you keep the extra material from flipping down when you wear your pants?

[justash]

Originally Posted by BabyJ

Ewwww, I just realized you can see my knuckle hair

you have like 4 knuckle hairs

[BabyJ]

Originally Posted by Lov2Shop

How do you keep the extra material from flipping down when you wear your pants?

For a small hem job like that I don't need to do anything extra - that last step keeps them up pretty well. For big hem jobs, like hemming R&R from 36" down to 30-31", I'll sew a line up the side of each seam.

[nnnola]

not threadcrapping..but i just think it's kind of funny how i have my ebay guide on hemming..yet i never have to hem my own jeans. in fact, i've only had to hem one pair of Diesel that had a freakishly long inseam and a pair of R&R that had a 38!

[Lov2Shop]

Great idea. I have been paying $20/pair.....not anymore.

[justash]

thats because you have beautifuly long legs :

it is funny how you wrote a guide, yet dont use it

[BabyJ]

lol Noles....I have to hem EVERY pair of jeans I get Well, unless they're hemmed already, or are one of those freak pair of SFAM's that's only 31.5-32"

[nnnola]

maybe i should write another ebay guide.

How to get more length out of your jeans..A pictorial guide.

[justash]

you should. You could have Ricky help you pose in pictures. That would be funny!

[Nicolear]

I found a guide online that had the same instructions and I have hemmed a few pairs like that, but I always have to hem just enough that the folded part falls down. So now I know I can sew up the inseam! Duh! Thanks for the idea!