Being the short gal that I am, sometimes it’s hard to find a great pair of jeans that fit well in the length. A couple of years ago I found some awesome deals on Lucky jeans at Buckle in the mall, and they offered free alterations. I wanted to take the jeans on my trip to visit a friend in Atlanta the next day and there wasn’t time to leave the jeans at the store to be sewn. So the salesperson showed me the basic concept of how their sewing service altered the jeans leaving the cool original distressed hem at the bottom.
Yesterday I needed to shorten a pair, so I took a few photos. It’s crazy simple. The only trick is measuring correctly.
Tuck a straight pin along the desired hem length. This is the line that you will stitch along. With pants right side out, fold up the existing hem to just above that pinned line. Stitch just above the current hem’s fold. 
Iron the fold to keep the fabric in position as you sew around each pantleg. Once sewn, fold the bulk up into the pantleg and press with an iron.
Turn pants inside out and stitch either by hand or machine the fold under sections to the side seams to keep them from dropping down.
I find that that extra thickness at the bottom of my jeans actually holds a nice open flare to them.
Didn’t I tell you it was going to be easy?
I wish it were so easy to LENGTHEN jeans!
Wow! I can't believe there's no cutting involved. If the legs are flared at the bottom, does the folded part want to pucker inside?
Great tip and super easy, however I wish it worked the opposite way. Though Lucky Jeans actually seem to be the perfect length every time for me…maybe i'm just 'lucky'. ;0) Blessings, Katy
I just learned how to do this a couple months ago and LOVE IT! I didn't know the trick about sewing along the side seams so it doesn't fall down. I'll definetly be using that next time.
Yes, I would love a tip on how to lengthen jeans and trousers too lol
Pam, great question! That could definitely happen if the jeans are quite flared. Mine weren't that much at all and weren't being folded over enough for that to happen.
I was just about to take a pair of pants to the tailors to do just this. So i think I'll try it myself. The great news is, if I mess up, I can just unpick it! Thanks!
This is brilliant! I am taller than "average" but shorter than "tall" – so sometimes I end up with tall jeans that either need way-high heels (not happenin') or this magic treatment. Thanks for the show-how. Btw, I have 2 empty white marmalade jars- would you like them?
-Vicki K.
Being a short girl myself (5 ft 0 inches) I have a difficult time finding jeans that fit in the length as well. So basically…fold up, fold down and sew?
Vicki K- Fun, I'd love the jars. Email me and let's talk!
undomesticated, that would be:
Fold up
Sew
Turn
Press
Tack
: )
Thanks so much for this tip! I too am short (slightly over five feet) and I can NEVER find a pair of pants that actually fit me properly! Even petite is slightly too long.
Certainly an easy way to do a pain in the rear chore. I think for me, I would cut that bulk right out of there and finish the raw edge to prevent raveling. I like the idea of keeping that original bottom hem intact.
Thanks for the tip!
Ellen
Your blogg is so nice!!!
Agneta from Sweden
This is how I hem my jeans (it's impossible to find jeans for my 5 foot height) but the bulk always bothers me, so I cut it out rather than sew it up. Just a suggestion for those who it annoys!
Now why didn't my mother think of that…she does all of my alterations because I don't sew ;o)
I will definitely have to show her this post.
Thanks for sharing!
very cool!
Unfortunately , being 5 foot 11 , yep I need the magic lengthener too!
Helen
Is there anything you can't do?! I'm so impressed.
Lesley
Is there anything you can't do?! I'm so impressed.
Lesley
Thanks for the help! I am well, very short. And I am always taking it to get hemmed b/c I don't want them to look cheap. But I think I just might be able to pull this off!
Thanks for sharing!
Neat trick, glad you shared, I have kids who have to have their jeans shortened! Thanks, Karen
Oh my dear friend, where have you been all of my life? At 5'2" I always have to hem my pants. I can't believe I hadn't thought of that one. That is amazing. I think you just made my week, heck maybe even my year!
Now I have completed a pair of flared jeans using this method. They look really great. With a small percentage of spandex in my jeans they do not seem to be puckering inside.
But my new query is whether a new 'wear-line' will develop where the fold of the jean is underneath. The amount of jean shortened is about 3/4". If I were to cut the bulk out, then will that also develop a wear line?
In any case, it's still brilliant.
Great trick! I'm tall though and usually need MORE jeans not less:-)
That was easy! I'm tall, so I never have to hem. I have to find things that are long enough. That can be tricky.
What a nifty trick! Have to remember this one.
wow – thank you for this!! i actually have a pair that needs hemming, but i've been putting off going somewhere to have it done – time to try my hand at it!
Hi Cathe
I found you through Julia (Hooked on houses) and I loved your creative space so much, I've been checking out your blog. Love it! You have great ideas
rue
That's a great tip! My jeans are always too long. Apparently, if you're a size 10, you better be 5'10" LOL!
I may have to give this a shot!
Love this! I blogged about your post today! http://tidymomof2.blogspot.com/2009/06/linky-love-6-12-09.html
~TidyMom
I have this problem all the time too and usually just end up walking on the extra length!
Thanks for sharing this!
Oh, THANK YOU so much for this, it's just what I need!! I have not yet EVER bought a pair of jeans with legs short enough to look good on me. Wow, had I only knew before it can be this simple it would have saved me hours of measuring, cutting, fighting, muttering and drinking too many cups of coffee trying to keep my brain functioning while shortening the legs of several pairs of jeans! Once again, thanks!!!!
Thanks so much! I'm going to try today
Amazing! I've been hemming pants for years (I'm 5' 1"). This is AWESOME! Thanks!!
Thank you So much for sharing this…I have a pair of Sevens I got cheap at Costco but they are WAY too long. I was afraid to take them somewhere to get hemmed because I HATE those hemmed jeans that are just folded and sewn. Yuck!!! Now I can do it myself. Yea!
BTW, just found your blog…love it!
I know you posted this last summer, but I've been using this technique since then. I just blogged about it and linked back to you.
http://craftevangelist.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-i-patch-hem-jeans.html
I'm trying so very hard to get this, but I can't. How is it the original hem is left?
Hi Melanie. The original hem, (the yellow thread with the distressed edging) is left hanging below the altered/sewn-up section that I stitched. So, just above the original hem(yellow stitching,) you can see the folded back area that I sewed and ironed flat. Does that help?
This brilliant. I have a pair of Buckle jeans that are completely tattered on the ends because I was too impatient to wait for the tailoring. From now on I'm doing this! Thanks for the super-simple tutorial!
WOW! that looks really easy, even for someone like me with very basic sewing skills. AWESOME Tutorial!
I must be having some serious mommy-brain, but I just don’t see it.
Hi April. If I understand correctly. See the TOP photo you will notice there is a seam right above the GOLD thread. The bottom photos you do not see it…….So to make it easy. say you need to hem your jeans 2 inches. Two inches are folded in towards the back side of the jean…..and sewn from the INSIDE of the jeans……
) It is done right there by the bottom seam of the jeans, so you keep the origina hem……
omg that is sooooooo clever , i feel like a real dope now i know that proper way !!!tfs
xmaggiex
What a FANTASTIC solution, thank you sooooo much for this. This will be great for the Hubs jeans too! (I hate cutting the bottom it just screams home done!) Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Bad idea. If your jeans are flared the hem is the widest part of the leg. Unless the jeans are less than 1″ too long the hem will waffle when forced to a more narrow section. It almost never works…also looks funky to ha excess fabric above hem after a few washings. Try hemming as usual the using sandpaper on the hem. That works best for me.
fantastic!
Hello! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading through your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects? Thank you so much!
this is a great idea! i actually used something similar to shorten the hem even after having worn (and torn) my jeans for a while…
thanks for sharing!
Yep, this is called a tricky hem or euro hem. A friend taught me this a while back, and now I love that I can buy any length jeans!
Thanks for the great pictures of this process. I have people ask me to hem their jeans all the time, and they will appreciate this technique so much.
This is BRILLIANT! I’m short too and I’ve always been hesitant about buying jeans that are too long! Now I know how to fix that pesky problem, seriously, you have saved me!
So easy! It makes you wonder how you didn’t think of it yourself! I too am vertically challenged and really appreciated this tidbit, thanks!
That is super easy and is barely noticeable! I am definitely keeping this in mind if I need to hem some jeans. Thanks for posting!
Great idea! My husband and I are both short, so I’ve taken up a few pairs of jeans in my day. Love this. Will have to give it a try!
That’s brilliant! I’ve got a few pairs of jeans sitting in the closet waiting for me to take on the task. I never knew how simple it could be. Thank you for sharing this.
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I found this via Pinterest and I just have to say you’re my hero. Where were you when I was in 7th grade and learned to hem my pants/jeans? This way is lifechanging! THANK YOU!
Just wondering if there isn’t a lot of bulk in the bottom of the pants if you don’ t cut the excess off? Would heels tend to get caught on the “inside cuff”?
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What a great idea!! I´ve always had the same problems, and it seems to be inherited by my kids! I will absolutely try it on the next pair of jeans. Thanks for sharing!!!
you can try adding decorative braid or trim to the bottom.
Thank you so much for this info. I used it tonight on two pair of jeans and loved the results. After hemming and ironing I did decide that the folded portion created too much bulk so I zig zagged then trimmed it off. I’m a bit worried that they will flip up after a trip through the dryer but I’m hopeful that a few ironing runs will get them “trained”. Really, can’t believe I’ve hemmed so many jeans without thinking of this! it seems so obvious and simple NOW. Kudos!
Oh my gosh! I LOVE this. I am 5′ 2.75″ and always have jeans that are too long. I never wanted to cut off the distressed edge, this is genius. Thanks for sharing on Pinterest.
lead here by pinterest.
thank you. thank you. thank you.
so simple.
jeans that were unwearable are now perfect with my flats!
THANK YOU!!!! At 5 foot and a half inch, my jeans are always too long. I used your method this morning and I am just thrilled with the results! I will never worry about length again, this was so simple and quick to do!
You just made my day!
I tried this and you could see the material imprint that was folded underneath. i didn’t care for the look. I thought it was too bulky looking, not a professional look.
I too have always been short but I’m ok with this! I feel it’s better to look up at people than down on them. Love the hemming idea!
OMGosh! I have a pair of jeans that I need to do this to… THIS IS AWESOME! thanks
I am so amazed, it looks so simple. I am only 5′ tall. Even when I buy petite I still have to cut and hem because I thought that was the only way. Thank You so much. I am so excited. I am going to drag out some jeans that I have put away because of the length and try this.
So you just fold up the fabric and not cut off the excess. Looks like a neat trick need to give it a try .
Thanks
Sharon
Who knew?! The jeans I picked up from Buckle yesterday had the excess hem cut and serged. I guess being 5’2″ there was probably too much bulk to leave it. Thanks for sharing!
this is so awesome!! i never hemmed pants right because i have a lot of trouble cutting a straight line! and therefore probably ruining the pants. this will be much easier!!! thanks sooo much:)
I saw this on Pinterest & decided to pop over for a look at how you did it. What a great idea. I do sew, but have never seen this idea. I’ll remember it for next time. Thanks for sharing this great tip!
Warmly, Michelle
Saw this on pinterest….just tried it and AWESOME!!!! Looks great and took me under 10 min for my first try. Thanks so much!
If I’m following this correctly, the hem now showing on the outside is the hem that previously was showing on the inside. Yes?
Yes, exactly!
Thank you! I’ve been needing to hem a pair of jeans and had heard about this method before. Seeing the pictures really helps! I can’t wait to REALLY love my jeans.
Thank you! Found this on pinterest, and I’m hemming two pairs of pants tonight
I remember my Mom hemming my pants as a child and being upset because the bottom wasn’t “cool” anymore, ha! I was such a picky child.
That is called a euro hem – you can also cut off most of the excess, serge & top stitch along the original stitched hem with thread the same color as the jeans – it looks great when done – I do alterations for people & have done quite a few of them. Thanks for posting this!
I just recently found this on Pinterest (re-posted to) and I’m doing this right now!! So excited!! Thank you!
Oh THANK YOU!!! I’ve made a disaster of two pairs of jeans trying to hem them. Now this is so simple that I can fool my mum into thinking I’ve done it “the right way” hehehe.
Thanks Cathe!
I have been getting my 6yr old daughters jeans hemmed by her Grandmother for years. It is frustrating that I never felt confident enough to do it myself, and though I can never find jeans that fit I haven’t hemmed any of my own pants either. But now…I just hemmed all the jeans in my closet that were too long. I love Pinterest! LOL! Thanks so much for the great tip!
Will this work for skinny jeans as well? I bought a pair and because the legs are so long, they don’t taper as much when my mom shortens them. They just end. Do you think I should shorten my jeans and then make them “skinny” or make them skinny and then shorten them?