How to Hem Sweatpants

Written By: James Harris
  • Comments: 1
How to Hem Sweatpants

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

9

Time Required

30 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

This detailed 9 step guide will teach you how to hem sweatpants with elastic at the leg opening. This guide is easy to follow and anyone can do it.

The process requires a very basic knowledge of sewing, and can be done either with a sewing needle or a sewing machine, with the steps displaying how to use either. You also need to know how to use a seam ripper.

Lastly, like most guides hemming a pant leg, this process is not reversible, so make sure you measure correctly.

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    • Use the seam ripper to remove the seams along the hem of the bottom of the pants.

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    • Remove the elastic band from the pants. Keep the elastic for later.

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    • Place pins where you want the pants to end.

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    • Measure the length of the cuff.

    • Measure how long the pants need to be cut.

    • Keeping in mind a small length below the pins for the new cuff, mark where you want to cut with your washable marker.

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    • Using the fabric scissors, cut along the line you marked, making sure to keep a straight and steady line.

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    • Fold the new end of the pants outward, at a minimum of double the length of the elastic band.

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    • Place the elastic band on top of the fold from the previous step.

    • Place the top of the elastic along the pin line.

    • Using the needle and thread, sew both ends of the elastic band to the seam running vertically up and down the pant leg.

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    • Fold the top of the folded fabric section back over the elastic, using the pins as the top line.

    • Place pins along the bottom of the new fold to keep the fabric in place.

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    • Sew a new hem along the line created by the new pins. You can either hand-sew or use a sewing machine.

    • Sew ONLY along the new pins placed in the previous step. Do not sew along the first row of pins created at the beginning.

    • Once the sewing is complete, remove all the pins and undo the first fold.

    • The last photo provides a sample of the finished product.

Author

James Harris

Member since: 02/02/21

178 Reputation

One comment

Thanks very much for this tutorial because at 5’ I have to shorten everything. Now I can alter sweatpants that are made for 6’ tall people.

Ruthann45 -