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How to Shorten Your Jeans With Original Hem

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Shorten your Jeans with Original Hem

How to Shorten Your Jeans With Original Hem

If you're a shorty like me and my beau, why spend $$$ on a tailor when you can alter your jeans yourself?! This is a "quick and dirty" explanation of how to do this.

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Step 1 of 11
You must have working knowledge of a sewing machine in order to do this. Your bobbin should have the same colour of thread as your main thread. Have your pins and measuring tape handy at all times!

You must have working knowledge of a sewing machine in order to do this. Your bobbin should have the same colour of thread as your main thread. Have your pins and measuring tape handy at all times!

Step 2 of 11
This is an example of "before and after" so you can see what you are aiming for. Here we go!

This is an example of "before and after" so you can see what you are aiming for. Here we go!

Step 3 of 11
Figure out how much length you want to take up on your jeans. Fold them up to where you want them. Try them on with shoes to make sure that length will work with your heels, boots, etc. Now pin.

Figure out how much length you want to take up on your jeans. Fold them up to where you want them. Try them on with shoes to make sure that length will work with your heels, boots, etc. Now pin.

Step 4 of 11
Measure from the inside hem to the fold to see how much you want your jeans shortened. In this example, my BF needs his jeans shortened 3 inches.

Measure from the inside hem to the fold to see how much you want your jeans shortened. In this example, my BF needs his jeans shortened 3 inches.

Step 5 of 11
Now, this may seem weird but take the length you want off & divide by half & re-pin your jeans so the fold is half the length they were before. In this case, 3 inches has now turned into 1.5 inches.

Now, this may seem weird but take the length you want off & divide by half & re-pin your jeans so the fold is half the length they were before. In this case, 3 inches has now turned into 1.5 inches.

Step 6 of 11
Then, starting at the side seam, start sewing your jeans as close the the underside of the original hem as possible. Make sure you dont sew your jean leg closed!

Then, starting at the side seam, start sewing your jeans as close the the underside of the original hem as possible. Make sure you dont sew your jean leg closed!

Step 7 of 11
You can't even tell I sewed the jeans...that's why it is important you sew close to the underside hem.

You can't even tell I sewed the jeans...that's why it is important you sew close to the underside hem.

Step 8 of 11
This is what it looks like underneath. One straight-ish line.

This is what it looks like underneath. One straight-ish line.

Step 9 of 11
Now fold the jeans over--right side out! It's up to you whether you want to cut out the extra material on the underside or just iron it in really well.

Now fold the jeans over--right side out! It's up to you whether you want to cut out the extra material on the underside or just iron it in really well.

Step 10 of 11
See? All done...like I said, iron it down and no one will really know that there is a seam there. Who really pays attention to hems anyway? Your jeans will just look snazzy and decently "tailored".

See? All done...like I said, iron it down and no one will really know that there is a seam there. Who really pays attention to hems anyway? Your jeans will just look snazzy and decently "tailored".

Step 11 of 11
Ta daaa! Done!

Ta daaa! Done!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!
Toronto, ON, Canada
Toronto based foodie who likes to eat, cook, drink, talk food, share recipes and bake. Not necessarily in that order.

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26 Comments
Supplies
Embed

1 Pair of Jeans that need shortening

1 Sewing Machine

1 Spool of thread that will match your jeans

1 Measuring Tape

A bunch of straight pins

Salad Lips

I am 5' tall, this guide is going to save me lots of money...thank you so much!

Salad Lips 4 months ago

Deanna Davis

This is great! Jean shopping won't be so disappointing anymore! Thank you!

Deanna Davis 8 months ago

Gina James

I love thus!! Thank you! I'm 5'4", and jeans are almost always too long for me!

Gina James 8 months ago

TabTab from NC

Thank you! Shorty problems are rough, especially with the denim!

TabTab from NC 9 months ago

T Tracy

Excellent idea!

T Tracy 9 months ago

Jane From KY

Good excellent tip and instructions. Thank you.

Jane From KY 10 months ago

Christine Marucci

This is awesome. I spent yesterday doing this on all my jeans, and am thrilled with how well they turned out! Thank you so much for this idea!!

Christine Marucci 10 months ago

Brible Offwanktax

Clever indeed!!

Brible Offwanktax 10 months ago

Monica Taliaferro

That's good

Monica Taliaferro 11 months ago

Angela Dumas

If only I knew how to sew and had a sewing machine! I have a pair of jeans that I love, but they're SUPER long.. I bought them because the fit perfectly everywhere else except the length. Lol I just haven't had the time or money yet to get them tailored. :(

Angela Dumas 11 months ago

Fawn D Banks

Great method. Can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!

Fawn D Banks 11 months ago

Val Viramonte

love this...so good to know!

Val Viramonte 12 months ago

Mary Paguaga

Brilliant! I'm 5'10" and have never needed to do this but this is clever.

Mary Paguaga 12 months ago

Barry Ward

Nice. I often just cut them down and leave it to fray.

Barry Ward 12 months ago

Sherri Fox

look so this will be great! Thanks!!!

Sherri Fox 12 months ago

Sherri Fox

Oh so awesome. I hem my own all the time but hate the fresh hem

Sherri Fox 12 months ago

Jo-Ann Jaeger

I've been hemming my jeans for years the long way, or giving in to wasting money using a tailor. Can't wait to try this way

Jo-Ann Jaeger 12 months ago

Laura Atwood

I have a tunic with sleeves that are too long. I think this method will work well for that, too. Much easier than finishing a new hem! Thanks for the great idea.

Laura Atwood 12 months ago

Jo Kuah

I just shortened my bf jeans in less than ten minutes and he loves that I kept the ragged hem!!! AMAZING!!

Jo Kuah 12 months ago

Becky Jeffrey

Very good !! I'm impressed by such creativity =]

Becky Jeffrey 12 months ago

Denise Farr

Great idea! I'm going to have to try this. Even when I buy "short" jeans, they are too long! Lol

Denise Farr 12 months ago

Deanne Prucha

That's smart...I think I will leave the extra material there until I'm positive I love it. After a few wearings. Thank you for this guide!

Deanne Prucha 12 months ago

Karen Kerr

Indeed. That's why I never cut out the extra material...just in case after first wearing I'm not happy with the length. Happy altering!

(author) last year

Darcy Bastin

This is great. I've messed up a pair of pants by making them too short. This is perfect. I can always pick out the stitches and try again. Thank you.

Darcy Bastin last year

Estella Becerra

Love it!

Estella Becerra last year

Laura Hearnsberger

Clever.

Laura Hearnsberger last year

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