how to hem stretchy pants
Yoga pants are on sale at Old Navy for $15. Hallelujah for vanity sizing. Vanity sizing is good for my ego and I like to wear a size S. No matter that I am just deluding myself, it is fun to look at the tag. Since I have a 27″ inseam I have to hem pretty much every pair of pants I buy. Hemming stretchy material can be frustrating so I thought I would make a tutorial so you too can have pants that fit. Especially if you are of oomploompa size like me. My pants are black and I used black thread so it’s hard to see. I decided to hem a pair of my daughter’s pants it would be a little easier to see in the pictures.
Materials:
pants that are too long
pin/marking pen/chalk
sewing machine
stretch needle (I used a 75/11)
rotary cutter/mat/scissors
ruler
matching poly thread
Steam-A-Seam 2 or any light fusible web
iron
ironing board
*don’t forget to wash and dry the fabric
Find some pants that are too long.
Standing up straight with shoes on, pin the hem to how long you would like it to be.
Measure the hem.
Turn the pants inside out, subtract 1 inch from the total (this is your seam allowance) and cut off the rest. The hem I pinned measured 2 inches, so I cut off 1 inch.
Using your fingers, press one side of the Steam-A-Seam to the edge of the pants.
Peel off the paper, fold up the hem 1 inch and press the fabric together with your fingers.
Do the same for the other pant leg.
Iron your seams.
(Sorry for the blurry photo) Use a Flatlock stitch (or whatever your machine has for stretch fabrics) and sew down the hem, catching the very edge of the fabric inside the stitching.
Turn the pants right-side out and your hem should look really nice.
Don’t they look better now?
This is where my photo shoot started to fall apart:
“No, don’t hit your sister with the yard stick!”
Well you get the idea.
I hope that works, please let me know if you try it out!
Filed under: sewing, tutorials | 9 Comments
Tags: hem, how to, sewing, short, stretchy pants, tutorial
Love, love, love the pics…especially the ones where baby had to get in on the action lol.
So this Steam a Seam, is that just for use in place of pins so that the hem doesn’t shift? The hem looks great, very professional looking.
Yes, I find that it helps keep the fabric from stretching out when sewing the hem in place.
That thumbs up (almost) picture is too cute
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so funny, your pics made me laugh a LOT!
Great pics! I’m glad you showed me the process. I have no clue how to sew and this gives me a better idea of how sewing works.
Thank you so much for adding your tutorial at “Make & Tell Monday”! It was so nice to meet you! Feel free to jump right in again next week!
Ok, the pants are genius – thank you – but your KID! Wow. Super cute.