Pinned ‘n’ Tested: How to Hem Jeans
Beeeeeeeeeep.
The following is a test of the emerging blog-casting system. It is only a test.
True or False:
The particular mastermind behind this blog has a crafting/sewing/creating room that is astonishingly, perfectly organized.
False.
[It is astonishingly something–but–definitely not organized. I had a topographic map constructed of the area–with a traditional large-scale detail using contour lines to represent elevation as accurately as possible. It makes it so much easier to navigate the landscape of my crafting/sewing/creating room.]
Oh.
[It’s a room that you will only ever hear about–and never, ever, not ever see. Unless I become weak sauce something or other and change my mind. But I won’t.]
Here’s why I bring it up at all.
As I was circumnavigating the highest point on the map, I discovered a brand spankin’ new pair of pants. A pair of pants purchased in November of 2012. November.
[I am right this very second rolling my eyes and ever so slightly shaking my head.]
I couldn’t even remember why they were in the room of happiness and delight.
Until I put them on.
They were too long.
That was about to change.
I’ve tried it twice now–Pinned, Tested, and true.
Amen.
Materials needed:
–a pair of jeans that are too long for you
–nerves of steel
[Only if you have to find your jeans in a pile in your room of happiness and delight. I haven’t found a spider yet–but I tell you if that happens, the whole mountain is going up in flames. That–or–Handsome Dude goes on Spider Safari.]
–a sewing machine
[Or pioneer heritage if you plan on doing this by hand: 20 stitches per inch ought to do it. May the wind be at your back.]
–thread to match your jeans
–a size 16 needle
[Unless your jeans are made out of tissue paper. If that is the case, use a smaller needle. And don’t ever wash your jeans.]
Decide how much shorter the jeans need to be. I wanted mine to be an inch shorter. Don’t include the existing hem in your measurement–which means I folded my jeans under 1/2″ to sew. (1/2″ + 1/2″ = 1″)
[I know you know that. It’s a just-an-in-case kind of thing. Clarity rocks.]
Here’s a shout out to the size 16 needle.
There are plenty of stories (I know at least one) about people using smaller needles and trying to force the thick material through the feed. Especially at the seams. Seams are like little tiny countries of destruction–needle destroyers. If you’ve ever had a needle elegantly make its way through (as in through) the nail bed of your finger (thread intact) because you’re trying to shove six layers of denim through a reluctant machine–well–I can’t even finish that story.
It takes about 6 minutes/leg to complete. Speed of yay, folks.
And yes, that is a pose of pigeon-toed awesomeness.
One more pic of awesomeness.
Your day is made.
Sha-boom.
4 COMMENTS
chelle.
11 years agobut, what do i do if i need them longer, muffin?
Teresa Jones
11 years agoYou really can’t do muffin about it. ~grin~ ‘Cept maybe cut 4-5″ off of the bottom of your jeans–add some great material to the pants and then sew the bottom of your jeans back on. That would actually look terrific.
Miller8
10 years agoSo did you cut off the extra jean at the bottom?
Teresa Jones
10 years agoGreat question. No, I didn’t cut the extra off. The “extra” part doesn’t extend below the new hemline for one thing–and–it lays nicely flat against the inside of the pant leg. I don’t think I would cut the “extra” unless the hem was huge. Does that make sense? Thanks for the interest. Happy New Year!