How to Shorten Jeans and Keep the Original Hem

Want to shorten your jeans and keep the original hem? You might be surprised to learn that it’s a fairly easy DIY task. Here is the guide for hemming your jeans and keeping the original hem and you can do it without a sewing machine.

Why Shorten Jeans and Keep The Original Hem

If you have a pair of jeans that fit perfectly everywhere but are too long in length, this DIY jean alteration is for you. You have two choices, you can cut these jeans and leave a raw hem or you can preserve the original hem.

Although it’s trendy to wear jeans with a raw hem, sometimes you want to look more polished and professional. So hemming jeans at home and keeping the original hem will allow you to wear your denim more often without worrying about looking untidy.

Supplies Needed to Shorten Your Jeans

Steps for How to Shorten Your Jeans and Keep the Hem

In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through the process of shortening your jeans while keeping the original hem intact. Say goodbye to that awkward, altered look, and hello to customized denim that looks professionally tailored.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials:

Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials.

Step 2: Measure and Mark:

Put on the jeans and decide on the desired length. Using a measuring tape, mark the new hemline with chalk or a fabric marker. Ensure the markings are even on both legs.

Step 3: Fold to the Original Hem:

This is the crucial step. Fold the extra material you want to potentially cut under the jean leg so that the denim is the length you want, with the original hem showing.

Step 4: Pin the Excess Fabric:

Now you’re going to take the safety pins and carefully pin the extra fabric to the jeans.

Step 5: Fold and Pin the New Hem:

Pin the fabric in place, ensuring that it is even on both legs. This step helps maintain symmetry in the final result.

Step 6: Press the Hem:

Once the new hem is securely in place, press it with an iron to give it a polished finish. This step also helps set the stitches.

Now that you’ve iron the jeans, you can wear them with the safety pins on the inside of your denim.

Additional Tips

If you are ready to part with the extra fabric follow the rest of the tutorial for how to permanently alter your denim and keep the original hem line.

Sew the New Hem:

Using a sewing machine or hand-sewing with a needle and thread, sew the new hem in place by following your pins. Choose a thread color that matches the original stitching to achieve a seamless look.

Keeping the pins instead of cutting the extra fabrics allows you to have shorter jeans when you want them and longer, when you need them. The best of both worlds.

You don’t need to use a sewing machine to shorten your jeans, a needle and thread are just fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you hem jeans and make it look original?

The most important part of this tutorial is the ironing. Once you use the iron over the original hem and the newly pinned fabric you’ll find that your jeans will be pressed into perfection. Even with safety pins still attached.

What is the easiest way to shorten your jeans?

The easiest way to shorten your jeans is to measure the desired length and then simply cut, creating a raw hem. You can find the tutorial here.

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Alina Orozco

Alina Orozco is a freelance writer with a weakness for hot dogs, the beach, dinner parties and DIY projects. She lives in Orange County, California with her husband, their two boys and an oversized Beagle named Benny.