This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.
Mastering how to hem dress pants with a sewing machine is almost synonymous with moving to a different level of DIY fashion. It’s all about measuring accurately, pinning carefully, and using appropriate tools to give maladjusted pants a custom-tailored makeover.
In this tutorial, we will walk through each step, from preparing your fabric to creating a blind hem, for professional results each and every time.
Take charge of your wardrobe alterations and save money on tailoring fees with this easy-to-follow, step-by-step beginner’s guide.
Table Of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- How to Hem Dress Pants With a Sewing Machine?
- Hemming Dress Pants Basics
- Measure, Mark, and Prepare
- Removing Original Hem
- Measuring New Length
- Marking and Shortening
- Ironing and Sewing Hem
- Attaching the Blind Hem Foot
- Sewing the Blind Hem
- Finishing the Hem
- Hand Vs. Machine Sewing
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- Hemming dress pants with a sewing machine is a breeze if you break it down into simple steps.
- Measure twice, cut once, and you’ll avoid a wardrobe malfunction.
- The blind hem stitch is your secret weapon for a professional, invisible finish.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different stitch lengths and tensions to find what works best for your fabric.
How to Hem Dress Pants With a Sewing Machine?
To hem dress pants with a sewing machine, start by measuring and marking the desired length while wearing shoes. Unpick the original hem, trim extra fabric, and finish the raw edge with a serger or zigzag stitch.
Fold the raw edge up twice, pressing each fold firmly, then sew a straight stitch close to the folded edge. For a nearly invisible finish, use the blind hem foot: place the folded hem under the needle, set the machine to a blind hem stitch, and sew starting from an inside leg seam.
Trim loose threads, and you’ll achieve a professional look.
Want more tips?
Hemming Dress Pants Basics
Hemming dress pants using a sewing machine isn’t that difficult. It will, in fact, save you much valuable time and money. Take your time; the secret lies in these minute details.
First of all, pick out the right kind of fabric. Lightweight wools or cotton blends work best. Match the color of your thread really closely with the color of the pant to get an invisible finish.
Technique-wise, there are two ways to do this: a blind hem or a regular straight stitch. The former is practically invisible; it’s just a little more practice-intensive. Go in small intervals in either case and check as you go along.
With a little patience and the correct tools, you’ll soon have perfectly hemmed dress pants. Only be careful not to fall into common mistakes such as uneven stitches and puckered fabric. Follow these steps and you’ll be hemming a pro in no time.
Measure, Mark, and Prepare
First of all, the pant has to be measured, marked, and prepared properly before sewing. Wear the pants with your shoes or heels that will be worn with it for the correct length marking. Then, the following steps are followed:
- Measure New Length: With your tape measure, decide how long you want it to be.
- Mark Hem Allowance: With tailor’s chalk, mark 2 inches above the length desired for the hem allowance.
- Check Even Length: Make sure lengths on both pant legs are marked evenly to avoid mismatched hems.
- Prepare Hem: Cut the extra fabric along the foldline. Use a serger, or zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to finish the raw edge and prevent it from fraying.
It’s essential to be accurate at this stage, as it provides the platform to move forward to a neat finish.
Removing Original Hem
First unpick out the original hem using a seam ripper. Cut carefully any loose threads; this will keep the fabric tidy. Lay the trousers flat, ironing the seam to get rid of any creases.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Unpick | Gently remove stitches with a seam ripper |
Trim
Press
Examine
Press the fabric flat and smooth the raw edge so that you get an accurate result that’s professional. Remember, leaving fraying would be prevented if the raw edges were further secured by a zigzag stitch. Keep in mind that this is precision setting the stage for your perfect hemming.
Measuring New Length
Get the perfect length for your dress pants by wearing them with the kind of shoes you’re mostly going to be wearing. Stand in front of a full-length mirror for better view.
Use precise measuring methods to attain your desired length from the waist, hip, or another appropriate starting point down to the hem. Be very keen on any leg-length inequalities so you don’t end up with varied lengths. If comfortable with the length, mark using tailor’s chalk.
For accuracy, use a hem gauge to check your measurements. This is important to prevent making mistakes. Mark both legs of the pant, making sure that they’re the same length. Therefore, this is an important step you should follow even if you intend to hem dress pants by hand or with a sewing machine or hem skirts and dresses.
The accurate measurements will lead to a professional finish when you sew the hem over the pant.
Marking and Shortening
Wear your dress pants with the shoes you normally wear with the trousers to mark and shorten them. Slip on a hem gauge and stand in front of a full-length mirror for accuracy. The following are steps to guide you to get the perfect fit:
- Fold Up the Pant Legs: Fold pant legs up to the length you’d like them to be. Check in a full-length mirror to ensure that both legs are even.
- Pin the Folded Hem: Hold the fold in place with pins while you work.
- Mark the Cutting Line: Draw a line 2 inches above the pinned fold with tailor’s chalk.
- Trim off the extra material: Carefully cut along the marked line to remove the extra fabric.
A hem gauge ensures accuracy. If you’re a first-timer, practice on scrap fabric. This way, you’ll be able to ensure your stitching is going to be clean and even when you hem dress pants.
Ironing and Sewing Hem
Now that you’ve marked and shortened the pants, it’s time to iron and sew the hem. Starting with the raw edge, fold it up twice—first by 1/2 inch, then by 1 inch. A hem gauge can help you keep this even. Press each fold firmly with an iron to create crisp creases.
Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch. Place the hem under the presser foot and use matching thread to avoid visible seams. Sew around the hem close to the folded edge, ensuring even stitching. To avoid puckering, don’t pull the fabric too tightly. Trim any loose threads, and your neat hem is ready for the blind hem stitch step.
Attaching the Blind Hem Foot
Now that you’ve ironed the hem in, it’s time to attach the blind hem foot.
First, remove your regular presser foot and attach the blind hem foot on your sewing machine. This special foot has a guide for the needle, which helps in holding the alignment properly.
Place the folded hem under the needles so that just the edge of the fold will be caught with the zigzag stitch. The guide should wobble along the middle of the foot, thus stabilizing the fabric.
Then, refer to your machine to confirm your blind hem stitch setting—usually a dotted line with a zigzag.
Begin at one of the inside leg seams to keep the start point unobtrusive. This set-up will get you on course for just about invisible blind-hemming.
Sewing the Blind Hem
Now that you’ve attached the blind hem foot, it’s time to sew the blind hem. Place the fold of a pant leg against the guide on the presser foot. As shown below, do the following:
- Keep Alignment Proper: Keep the folded fabric aligned with the guide and allow the zigzag stitch to catch just a little of the pant leg.
- Start Sewing: Begin with the blind stitch, and the zigzag pattern will catch the hem allowance. This builds up an almost invisible seam.
- Even Stitching: Keep the pant leg steady, allowing the presser foot to guide the material. Consistent speed helps keep stitches even.
- Finish Line: Continue sewing until the edge fold seam comes to the end. This creates a clean and professional-looking seam for the hem.
Your blind stitch setup ensures a strong, neat hem.
Finishing the Hem
After sewing the blind hem, focus on perfecting the finish. Turn the pant leg right side out and inspect your work. Blind hem stitching should be almost invisible, especially if you used matching thread. If you see any irregular stitches, bring them into line carefully.
Depending on the kind of fabric, the hem may need additional pressing so that it can lie flat. On thicker, heavy fabrics, further precautions should be taken to avoid puckering by additional checking of the thread tension. If necessary, readjust your stitch selection with stretchy or light-weight fabrics.
Keep in mind that a good hem gives the whole garment a professional finish. Topstitching next to the folded edge can be done for extra durability.
Do this on the other pant leg, making sure it will match.
Hand Vs. Machine Sewing
Now that you’ve finished the hem, it’s time to decide between hand and machine sewing. Both methods have their perks. Hand sewing offers precision and control but demands patience and time. It’s ideal for delicate fabrics where a blind hem stitch is less noticeable. On the other hand, machine sewing is faster and more efficient, especially for sturdy materials like dress pants.
Consider these points:
- Blind hem stitch: Use for an almost invisible finish.
- Threading sewing machine: Faster and efficient.
- Needle and thread: Essential for hand sewing precision.
- Hand sewing speed: Allows for greater control over placement.
- Machine sewing time: Completes the task quickly, saving effort.
Choose what works best for your needs and materials, ensuring a smooth, professional finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you hem dress pants on a sewing machine?
You can hem dress pants on a sewing machine. Just remove the old hem, measure and pin the new length, fold and press the fabric, and use a blind hem stitch for a professional finish (Source).
What stitch to use for hemming dress pants?
Use a blind hem stitch for hemming dress pants on a sewing machine. It creates minimal visible stitching on the front, producing a clean, professional finish that maintains the pants’ polished appearance.
What stitch to use for hemming on a sewing machine?
Use a straight stitch for hemming on your sewing machine. Set the stitch length to 5-3mm and sew slowly, keeping the fabric taut but not stretched. This creates a clean, professional-looking hem.
How to do a quick hem on dress pants?
To quickly hem dress pants, don’t worry about perfection. Remove the old hem, measure, cut excess fabric, fold twice, press, and sew a straight stitch close to the folded edge using your sewing machine.
Can I hem pants that are too short?
Unfortunately, you can’t lengthen pants that are too short. Adding fabric may not match and will look awkward. Instead, consider turning them into capri pants or shorts for a stylish and functional alternative.
How do I hem pants with a crease or pleat?
Tohem pants with a crease or pleat, simply fold the hem over the existing crease or pleat, pin it in place, and sew along the folded edge. This will preserve the tailored look.
Can I use a serger instead of a sewing machine?
Yes, you can use a serger instead of a sewing machine to hem dress pants. A serger provides a clean, professional finish by trimming and sewing the edge simultaneously, ideal for creating sturdy, fray-resistant hems (Source).
What if my pants have a lining or cuff?
If you have a lining or cuff to your pants, while taking care, pick apart the cuff or lining, and then hem the pants in the same way. Sew the lining or cuff back once you have hemmed, carefully.
How do I adjust the hem length for different shoes?
Hark, my friend! To adjust hemming to various shoes, measure from the floor while wearing the kind of shoes you’ll wear. That way, no matter what height heel, it will fit perfect. Easy as pie!
Conclusion
Hemming dress pants with a sewing machine doesn’t have to be frightening at all. It’s all about getting the basics right, accurate measuring, and precision.
Refresh your wardrobe by making custom alterations with this guide. With our steps on measuring, marking, and creating a blind hem, you can achieve professional finishes every time.
- sewingmachinebuffs.com
