Shorten Long Pants Without Cutting Them | Easy Hand Sew Hem Tutorial👖#sewingtips #diy #lifestyle, by SewlaVie on YouTube. 2 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Put the trousers on with the shoes you will wear them with. Pin the hem where you want it to sit, then take them off.
Turn the trousers inside out. Measure the fold from the existing hem to your pin line and pin it evenly all the way around.
Press the folded hem flat with a warm iron. Keep the fold straight and even so the finished hem looks neat.
Thread the needle and knot the end. Use a single thread in a colour close to the fabric.
Work from the inside. Take a tiny stitch in the trouser leg, then a small stitch in the folded hem edge, and repeat.
Keep the stitches loose so the hem can stretch. Do not pull the thread tight or the fabric will pucker.
Sew all the way around the leg, then knot the thread and trim it. Repeat on the other leg.
Turn the trousers right side out and press the hem again from the inside with a cloth over it.
Tips and common mistakes
Use thread slightly darker than the fabric so stitches blend in.
Keep stitches small and spaced evenly for a hem that holds and looks tidy.
Press the fold before sewing so the hem stays straight while you work.
Pin carefully and keep fingers clear of the needle while sewing.
Questions
Will the hem hold without cutting the fabric?
Yes. The folded hem is stitched in place and the extra fabric stays inside the leg. You can unpick it later to let the trousers down again.
Can I do this without a sewing machine?
Yes. A needle and thread are enough. Hand stitching takes longer but works well for a simple blind hem.
What if the extra fabric shows when I sit down?
Keep the fold narrow and press it well. Very thick fabric may show a ridge, so test on an old pair first.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
