How to Hem Dress Pants with a Sewing Machine
Hemming dress pants can give any wardrobe a sophisticated, custom-tailored look without having to pay for expensive tailoring services. It’s also a great skill to learn for avid sewers and fashion enthusiasts. By doing this procedure yourself, you can achieve a better fit for any pair of dress pants as well as a sleek, polished look for your outfits.
To begin, it is important to have the necessary tools and materials before starting any sewing project. Needed items include: a pair of dress pants, thread, tailor’s chalk, pins, measuring tape, iron, and of course, a sewing machine. It is also helpful to have an experienced sewer available in-case of any questions or assistance.
Next, to ensure the perfect fit, it is essential to measure the needed inseam, seam allowance, and any additional factors that may be desired, such as an ankle cuff. In order to do this, the measuring tape should be used to measure the needed length from the waist down to the leg opening. The pants can then be placed onto the ironing board so that the desired spot for the hem can be traced with the tailor’s chalk. Once this is completed, the excess fabric and pins can be used to pin the desired inseam into place.
Now, it’s time to use the sewing machine. For dress pants, the best stitch to use is the clean-finish hem. A straight stitch is used and the two pieces of fabric in the hem should be understitched before the pant leg opening is seamed.
When the hem is complete, the thread and pins should be removed and the edges should be pressed with the iron until the trousers look clean and sharp. With that, you can now model your new hemmed dress pants with confidence and style!
Additional Tips and Advice
When it comes to hemming pants, it’s important to practice multiple times. The more comfortable you are with the process, the better your results will be. It’s also important to thread the machine properly and regularly check the tension throughout the process.
It’s also essential to practice pressing the fabric while on the ironing board and getting familiar with how the different machines operate. Many novice sewers run into issues with the tension of the threads or when making the stitch near the corner of a hem. To avoid any issues or mishaps, it’s important to increase the tension of the thread or machine when needed.
For those who do not own or want to purchase a sewing machine, there are other options for hemming pants as well. One option is to use an easy-to-use fusible bond tape, which is perfect for beginners. Another option is to use a hand-sewing needle and thread, but this type of hemming will take a bit more time and patience.
Choosing a Correct Thread Option
When choosing thread, make sure to pick the thread that matches the color of the fabric. If you want extra visual appeal, you can choose a bold color or patterned thread, which will give the hem a unique twist. But, keep in mind that the boldness of the thread should be somewhat subtle and should complement the tone of the fabric.
Lastly, the type of thread you use is important, as well. Cotton threads tend to be the most cost effective and also have a lustrous finish that is perfect for dress pants. Also, silk and polyester threads are good options as they are easy to handle and are quite durable.
Fashionista Variations of Hemming
For experienced sewers and fashionistas, there are other ways to hem dress pants that can add a unique finishing touch to the outfit. Examples include doing a rolled hem instead of a double-fold hem, which can be done with a serger machine. This type of hem will add a lovely edge to any pair of trousers.
Another idea is to embellish the hem with a fancy lace or beaded trim, making the jeans one of a kind. This is best done with hand or machine embroidery. But, if this doesn’t seem too appealing, then simply sticking with a classic double-fold hem will do the trick, as well.
Strategies to Consider When Hemming Dress Pants
Before starting any hemming process, the seam allowance and fabric details should be carefully examined. Also, it is important to make a mental note of the desired finish and figure out if the fabric itself is suitable for that finish. A lightweight fabric will fold easier and produce beautiful, even hemlines, while a heavyweight fabric is more challenging to work with.
Also, while hemming, take time to observe the fabric and decide if it needs to be pre-washed. Pre-washing the fabric is a great way to reduce the risk of it shrinking over time, as many fabrics tend to do.
In addition, be mindful of pressing the garment. Always build the press with multiple light strokes as opposed to blanketing the hems with a few heavy strokes. This will allow the heat to distribute evenly with consistent results.
Hemming Double-Layer Dress Pants
Lastly, there may be cases of double-layer dress pants that will require a bit more skill and attention. This type of hemming is done with a two-thread self-locking stitch, in which two threads will be shown on the reverse of the hem. This gives sharper, more secure edges for heavier fabrics.
When stitching this type of hem, it’s best to use heavy-weight thread, and a good practice is to fluff the underlying thread to make the stitches and fabric layers secure. This stitch also helps to prevent the fabric from fraying, meaning it will last longer and look better.
One trick to remember is that this stitch is best done by hand, as the machine can often break threads or clog with the weight of the fabric. Thus, it is important to understand when to hand- sew and when to use a machine.
