Making Pants Shorter

RE: Making Pants Shorter Post By Sue (Guest Post) (01/01/2005) As a general rule of thumb: Give 1 1/2 inch for a hem allowance, turn under 1/2 inch and press then stitch. to give a clean finish to the end product. Then turn up your 1 full inch, press and stitch with 1/4 to 1/2 inch stitches by hand. If you use a serger you can eliminate the 1/2 inch in the beginning and just finish the raw edge with the serger and continue to hem the pants. One thing to consider, though is that all hems looks better and more professional when done by hand unless you have a machine to do invisable stitching. Hope this helps. Sue RE: Making Pants Shorter Post By Connie (Guest Post) (12/30/2004) I always measure the existing hem and try to make my new one the same depth. Sometimes if you have to shorten them too much you run in to the problem of the width of the leg not allowing you to make the hem that deep-sounds confusing-but you will find out when you start working with the hem. If they are jeans, mark where they will be turned up for the hem and cut one inch below that. Clip the seam allowances-the ones that are really thick-to a 1/2 in. depth. Turn the hem under to the fold-made when you turn up the one inch. Stitch, leaving the "tabs" at the seams. After you finish stitching you can cut the "tabs" and they won't ravel, but this makes it so much easier to stitch over many layers. RE: Making Pants Shorter Post By Jeanne in Maine (Guest Post) (12/30/2004) I always look at the existing hem before shortening and try to duplicate them. If I am doing denim jeans I cut to within 1/2 of where i want to shorten then add BIAS TAPE to the edge.I match my bobbin thread to as close to the thread in the seams.........dont forget to iron your hem before stiching a real savor RE: Making Pants Shorter Post by jeangnome46 (70) | (12/29/2004) Contact I always allow 2in. and turn the first inch under then the next.