Adjusting the length of your jeans without losing the original finish is a sewing trick that can change the way you style your clothes.

Instead of cutting off the original hem, you can keep it and shorten your jeans in a professional and discreet way.

How to Hem Jeans Without Cutting the Original Hem

With this simple sewing trick, you can shorten your jeans without losing their original style.

Go ahead and try it and customize the length of your pants easily!

Necessary materials

To make this hem without cutting the original, you will need:

• Jeans to fit
• Thread in the color of jeans
• Needle or sewing machine
• Pins or fabric fasteners
• Measuring tape
• Iron
• Sewing scissors (optional, only if you want to trim excess fabric on the inside)

Step by step procedure

1. Measure and mark the new length

Use the measuring tape to determine how much fabric you need to shorten.

Fold the hem inward until you reach the desired length and pin it in place.

2. Fold the fabric correctly

Fold the jeans so that the original hem is aligned with the new measurement.

This will create a sort of crease on the inside of the pants.

3. Hold and test

Before sewing, try on the jeans to make sure the new length is correct. Adjust if necessary.

4. Sew close to the edge of the original hem

Using a needle and thread in the same color as the jeans, or using a sewing machine, sew a seam as close to the edge of the original hem as possible. This will help maintain a professional and discreet look.

5. Final ironing

Press the seam thoroughly to set the new hem. This will make the seam flatter and less visible.

6. Optional settings

If the excess fabric inside the pants is bulky, you can hand-sew it in place or even cut it off leaving an allowance and securing the edges with a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying.

Additional Tips

• Use a thick needle if you are hand sewing, as the jeans fabric is tough.
• If you use a sewing machine, use a special denim needle.
• If your jeans have a distressed finish at the hem, this technique will keep it intact.
• You can reinforce the seam with a double pass if you want greater durability.