How to Hem Pants Like a Pro
Learn how to hem pants with precision, speed, and the confidence of someone who’s done this a hundred times before.
First, Let’s Get One Thing Straight
Ready-to-wear clothes are made for the elusive “average” body. A size and length that designers have blocks for and work from. For women this is 5’10” and a B cup. Good luck!
That’s where you need alterations, and why I’m never short of work. You are not too short or too narrow or too broad, it’s the clothes that are wrong. And it’s a whole lot easier to change the clothes.
Today I’m going to take you through an alteration that everyone ought to learn: Hemming Pants.
There are plenty of beginner tutorials online, but this guide is designed for those who already know the basics and want to level up.
It started as a training document for my team, but I realised it could help a lot more people.
So here it is — the fast, reliable way I hem trousers in the studio.
In the photo:
Client Katie’s Wedding
Photography by: @katyfiona_photography
What You Should Already Know
If you’re new to sewing, hop on YouTube and explore these topics first:
How to use a sewing machine
How to measure and cut accurately
How to press (not just iron)
How to thread a needle
In the photo:
Client Alex Cash
Alterations: Hem Pants, Taper
“Length is pretty easy to judge; a good fit has the trouser legs ending where they just brush the tops of your shoes, or rest very lightly on them”
Bonus Tips for Jeans and Dress Pants
Jeans: Use a jeans needle and match the thread. Consider preserving the original hem using a faux hem technique (blog coming soon).
Dress pants with blind hems: Iron in the new hemline before you cut. This helps avoid distortion. Then use a blind hem foot and blind stitch. Once sewn, press and pull side-to-side to release tension. Re-set the centre crease while you’re at it.
Final Thoughts
Precise, fast hemming comes from repetition, but a clear process helps too. These are the same steps I use every day in the studio, and now you can too.
💬 PS: Want to learn more about how we approach professional alterations? Explore our gallery of Tailoring and Bridal Services or book a Signature Fitting to get us to simply hem the pants for you.
