Options for hemming trousers by hand and with a machine

Sometimes, when buying trousers in a store, they seem perfect, fit well and go with shoes, but can be long. In such cases, people turn to professional seamstresses. This article tells how to hem trousers yourself and what rules exist for this.

What length should trousers be?

The length of the pants directly depends on the width of the styles of the product. There is a classic rule that you need to remember: tapered pants should be shorter, and flared ones should be longer.

Length of women's trousers

According to the laws of etiquette, women's pants should reach the heel. This looks gentle, beautiful and visually makes the legs longer. This length will be considered traditional, but in recent days there have been a lot of new styles, so it is difficult to say about a single correct length of pants. Such standards will no longer work for flared pants.

The correct length of trousers for different models:

• Straight. The length reaches ½ of the heel. Visually, the legs look longer and slimmer. This also applies to jeans;
• Pipes. Styles with a loose cut from the hip point. Too short pants visually make the hips more voluminous. With a good cut, almost the entire heel is not visible, but the toe should stick out. The correct distance from the ground is 2 cm;
• With arrows. The style is suitable for the office, straight, reaching the middle of the heel, there are smooth arrows on both sides;
• Sports. If you choose correctly, you will feel comfortable and soft when doing sports. If the pants have an elastic band, the ankle should not be visible.

There are some nuances for sweatpants. Since the pants are knitted, it is not always possible to do this manually. Tailors use special machines for this, and at home you can do it on a regular overlock.

To prevent the fabric from sticking out, the experts suggest using needles with slightly rounded ends. To help the material stretch better, it is advisable to put a thin paper strip underneath. The process of working with sweatpants:

• Measure the material for the bend and cut it;
• Overlock the edges;
• Fix the folds;
• Stitch from the inside.

Next, you need to make another seam at a distance of 4 mm. If the zipper is on the side, then it needs to be ripped open, making a 5 cm bend.

Trousers with stripes are hemmed in the place where the decorative seam is located. The same is allowed if the product has an elastic band.

Length of men's trousers

When buying pants, you need to try on as many models as possible. Since it is very difficult to find the right one the first time. Sometimes stores offer a service for adjusting pants right on the spot. It is advisable to wear the shoes you plan to wear with the pants.

For formal receptions, it is better not to take short styles, such as slacks, joggers, chinos. They will be narrowed to the ankle, suitable for everyday wear. For celebrations, it is better to take classic trousers and oxfords.

Preparing to shorten trousers

This process requires a little preparation. The height of shortening is determined depending on the style of the pants. It is advisable to have an assistant in the work: one puts on the pants, and the other measures the length. You can take the measurements from old pants that have already been hemmed.

Step-by-step preparation for stitching:

1. Turn inside out onto the hemmed trousers;
2. Fold the product so that the seams touch;
3. Mark the cutting location on the outer part;
4. Make a straight line from the arrow;
5. Draw a longitudinal line along both legs;
6. Draw a line for the fold allowance, make a second parallel line a few cm below the first.

What materials and tools to prepare

List of tools and materials for shortening pants:

• Fabric roller or scissors;
• Needles with needles;
• Fabric marker, chalk or piece of soap;
• Iron;
• Centimeter.

It is important to remember that the threads are taken exactly in the same tone as the product, so that they do not stand out against the general background.

How to put tags

The most traditional way to apply marks is to use soap. Before you start cutting the pants, you need to pin them together with needles so that the height of the fold does not move. It is recommended to do this with each leg in turn. Then the pants will be hemmed in different ways, indicated below.

Sequence of hemming trousers with a blind stitch

For example, for jeans, you can make a visible seam, because the model of the product itself requires it. But for classic trousers, a hidden seam is necessary so that it does not stand out from the general background.

Often craftswomen do not perform invisible seams because it is difficult. In this case, you can use the services of a studio. But it is quite possible to learn how to do it yourself.

Hand-made blind stitch

This seam got its name because it is not visible on the product, as it is hidden between the fabrics. You can take threads 2 tones lower. The process of shortening:

1. Turn the trousers inside out and secure with pins;
2. Check the side arrows, they should be aligned;
3. Insert the needle to the other side;
4. Sew like this to the end with a distance of 3 mm.

The stitching is done.

Hemming trousers with a blind stitch on a sewing machine

Fold the excess fabric outward, mark the fold with a marker and secure with pins. If the body is asymmetrical, mark each trouser leg.

Before work, lay the trousers out on a table or the floor. The legs are folded seam to seam, the waist line is also the same. To prevent the material from shifting, you can pin it with safety pins. Then set the machine to the desired seam and begin work.

How to Shorten Trousers Without Sewing with a Spider Web

The gossamer cannot be used for all types of material. For example, it is not advisable to use it when hemming knitted pants, since the materials are very elastic and with the gossamer they can lose their stretchability. It is also better not to use the gossamer on thin materials. It can thicken the product, creating extra volume. As for expensive materials, it is better to entrust the work of hemming things to a specialist.

Other types of fabrics are easily processed using gossamer.

Procedure:

1. Turn the trousers inside out;
2. Bend to the required length;
3. Place a piece of cobweb between the fold and the leg;
4. Go over the inside with a hot iron.

If the web is of poor quality, it will not stick together. Therefore, you will need to use adhesive tape and spray it with water.

There is a tape in stores that is applied to a paper base. This web has a number of advantages compared to the classic one. The thing is that it is quite difficult to put it so that it ends up in the right place. It is much easier to do this if it has a paper base.

The tape is placed into the fold and ironed several times at a high temperature. Therefore, the iron must be heated strongly. The tape melts well and glues the fabric.

Tips for use:

• Practical application proves that the tape can peel off after three washes. In this case, it must be glued again. Therefore, you should try not to dirty things;
• When washing, the water temperature should not be more than 50 degrees;
• Sometimes, during the process, the web sticks to the iron. Here, you need a small piece of cloth soaked in alcohol. It removes the tape residue well. To avoid staining the iron, it is advisable to put a bandage or cotton cloth underneath.

With trouser tape

Before you hem your pants, you need to decide on the color and texture of the tape. It can be purchased in textile stores.

Step by step actions:

1. Make a fold line on the trousers;
2. Attach the trouser tape to it;
3. Sew it evenly in a circle;
4. The edge can be trimmed or finished with tape.

If the tape sticks out, it will quickly start to shine and the pants will look sloppy. This method requires a high level of sewing. It is more suitable for hemming children's trousers.

How to Shorten Trousers with Cuffs

In recent years, pants with cuffs at the bottom have become very common. They can be for both men and women. Scheme of work:

1. Mark a line on the bottom cut;
2. Fold the cuff inside out and make a double stitch along it;
3. Carefully hem the seam allowances with a hidden stitch;
4. Turn the cuff inside out, stitch, and secure the edge above the inseam.

The last stage of work is ironing at 120 degrees. Mostly, the cuffs are double. But sometimes the length of the trousers should not be reduced, but made longer (mostly in children's clothing). In this case, the cuffs are one and a half.

Any sewing instructions state: cuffs must be positioned symmetrically. If a beginner needlewoman has not encountered this, it is better to contact a studio.

It is important to remember that the length of men's trousers of this style may be slightly shorter than the sizes of classic trousers. This is permitted by the requirements of informal style.

When the pants are treated, they need to be washed and ironed. All zippers and buttons should be fastened. It is better to use liquid powders and conditioners.

If you are washing by hand, you can use a soft brush. You need to apply gel or detergent to it and thoroughly clean the entire surface of the pants, and go over the bottom that has just been shortened. It is not recommended to wring out the pants, the water should drain itself.

You should start ironing the trousers from the pockets. Then iron along the waist and belt line. Carefully smooth out all the creases. To make creases, you need to match the front seam of the trouser leg with the back seam. You should work smoothly with the iron so as not to create large creases. You can turn on steam on the fold lines.

Sometimes the arrows disappear instantly. In order for them to be on the product, you can use the old method. Before starting ironing, you need to rub the pants with any piece of soap.

Some people wonder how to shorten trousers without cutting them. This can be done quickly if there is no time or the person is in a hurry. To do this, you need an iron, threads and needles. On the trousers, you need to mark the lines along which the fold will be. Next, you need to make a fold of the product and iron it with a very hot iron along the line. Then the leg is basted with a neat seam by hand and that's it. This method is mainly used for linen fabric. This option is suitable for temporary use, because after the first wash you need to fold it again.

If a person is still afraid of ruining the thing, it is better to take it to a studio. In Moscow, this can be done in the Mitino or Pavshinskaya Poima area, the price is about 300 rubles.

In conclusion, it should be noted that it is quite easy to hem trousers at home, this will help you avoid going to a tailor shop and save money. It is important to have all the necessary tools and some basic sewing skills.