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From: SEWFREE04
Date: 10-13-2004, 08:51 AM (1 of 11)
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Hello to everyone, I am new to this forum, I have looked around to see if this question has already been answered, and I didn't see it. So may I please ask what is the best way to hem a pair of store bought jeans? they are 2 inches to long. Any help with this would be appreciated. Thank You sewfree04 
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User: SEWFREE04
Member since: 10-13-2004 Total posts: 13 |
From: shirleyp
Date: 10-13-2004, 12:19 PM (2 of 11)
| Cut the jeans back 1 1/2 ". Fold under 1/4" and then fold again. The worst part of sewing the hem is the seam area. I try to loosen the first 1/4". This helps keep the bulk down. If you can just sew over the seams. Sew in the centre of your fold. This helps to stop the jeans from rolling. To close to the edge and it has a tendency to roll up. Hope this helps |
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 352 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 10-13-2004, 02:59 PM (3 of 11)
| Glad you joined , welcome. One more tip concerning your jeans. If you have what is called a hump jumper or jean-a-majig use it. They help go over your thick seams if your machine can't handle them . They are cheap to buy. Jo-Anne's & Hancock carries them. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: paroper
Date: 10-13-2004, 06:19 PM (4 of 11)
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I usually make a narrower hem. I trim to within 1 1/4 inch of my hemline. I fold once on the new hemline and I then fold the amount left over inside itself. That will make your hem about 3/4 inch. I usually try to match the color of the jean if I don't happen to have the right color to match the stitching. The jean stitching color varies so much it is usually a little hard to match (anything from light gold to orange.)
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 10-14-2004, 01:55 AM (5 of 11)
| One other thought for you when hemming jeans, if you don't have a jean-a-mag-jig or something similiar you can use a hammer and a bread board. Once you have your jeans folded and pinned to the lengthe you want lay a towel or such on the bread board, lay your jeans with the good side down on the towel and give the folded seams (on the inside of the legs) a few good smacks with a hammer. Works good for me!! |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: blackie
Date: 10-14-2004, 03:11 AM (6 of 11)
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An even easier fix is to just cut the legs at the length you like them (a rotary cutter works good for a straight cut) then sew two lines of stitches (similar color to the denim) very close to the raw edge. The jeans will have a permanently frayed edge without ravelling. I like the casual look and it is probably the easiest "hem" to do. Some jeans look good this way - some don't. This also depends on your personal style. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-14-2004, 08:02 AM (7 of 11)
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Woody, does that help the jeans or your mood?
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-14-2004, 08:12 AM (8 of 11)
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Here's a Sandra Betaina tip that always helps me over the thicker places (like seams) -- lengthen your stitch in that area. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: SEWFREE04
Date: 10-14-2004, 09:10 AM (9 of 11)
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Thank You All, This Was A Pleasant Surprise To See I Did Have Help This Morning With This Hem. I Have Never Heard Of A Jean A- Majig I Am Heading Out To Jo-ann's Today And Get A Rotary Cutter. I Will Also Keep The Hammer In Mind Woody And Pam I Think I Woke-up The Houshold With That One. I Can Already Tell I Gonna Love This Group, Using Your Tips I Think I Can Do This. Thanks Again I Am So Excited, And Will Let You Know How This Turns Out. |
User: SEWFREE04
Member since: 10-13-2004 Total posts: 13 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-16-2004, 01:33 PM (10 of 11)
I haven't been on in a couple of days, so this is late, but until I got my jean a majig , I just serged the cut ends so I only had to turn up the new hem once and stitch over it instead of twice.. That worked ok.. I also use a 3/4 inch fold or more to keep it from folding up the wrong way at the hem..I have to hem every pair of pants that I buy, even the petites... I can wear pants I buy at Bon Worth without hemming .. Only ones in the world I found.. their X-L Petites fit me to a T... 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: MartySews
Date: 10-17-2004, 08:25 AM (11 of 11)
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My 16 yo DD is 5' tall so I have to re-hem all of her jeans. I cut off the extra (about 2-1/2 inches) and fold under 3/4 inch. Then I serge the new hem with a coverstitch using matching thread for a RTW look without the bulk. Works great. Happy Stitching! Marty It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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