How do I alter jeans myself?

Question

I have a couple pairs of jeans that are way too long for me and I was hoping to alter them myself, since I have a sewing machine. I also want to alter the leg into a straight/skinny fit.

Answer 1

if they are too long, first take a pair of pants that are the right length
and with a tape measure, measure the inseam....which is the seam
that goes from your crotch down the inside of your leg. Start at
the center seam of the crotch and measure down to the hem....
if you are short (like 5'2', it would be around 28-30") Then measure
the jeans that are too long, that will tell you how much fabric needs
to be cut off. Remember that you need to leave an extra inch or so
for the hem. Usually on jeans you fold up 1/2' twice (equals 1 inch in total) that way you don't have a rew edge cause denim
frays too much. You can machine stitch the hem, either in the
color of the denim or if the rest of the stitching is a contrasting
color, try to find that color thread. You need to use a larger
stitch 10 or less, but be careful at the seams, they are really thick
and can be a pain to get your sewing machine to handle.
If you don't have a sewing machine, do the hem by hand.
If you need to take in the legs, turn inside out, and usually you
can take some in on the inside seam, as the outside seams
are often french seams and you have to take them apart to
take in. Just lay a rulet on the inside of the jean and see what
the shape of the leg will look like , usually starting from around
the knee down to the hem, you can usually take 1-2 inches off,
do the seam and trim the fabric down to less than 1/2" and
zig-zag the edge to prevent fraying. Do this before you do the
hem......

Answer 2

Its not about the serger really..its all about whether you have a denim needle in your machine. Also it helps it look more authentic if you use the same color of thread that the seam was originally done in. Levis are usaully done in a gold thread while other jeans use blue and sometimes other colors. If your doing the leg thats not to bad but if your doing a seam its really best if you can take them to the cleaners because of the thickness of the denim.
A secret I learned that some of the alteration places use is to cut off the hem but leave about an inch 1/2 of denim above it ...then cut off the leg to about how long you want it .Then you take the original hem and sew it back on the leg with the seam being as close to the edge of the hem (right above it) so you dont notice it.
Thats the way the Journeys store did my friends jeans and you couldnt even tell. I was amazed.

Answer 3

Make sure the sewing machine you have do allow you to sew onto jeans (as denim material are thicker & the texture is different).

Try for rugged or vintage look. Alter the length should be quite easy, just cut according to measurements carefully.

Do refer to books, I think they'll help.

You can even sew some stuff onto the pair of customised jeans!

Answer 4

If you're lazy about sewing like me, either just cut them and leave the bottom frayed for a more rugged look. Or my other favourite tool is mending tape that you use with an iron.

Answer 5

each position is diverse. to modify the cuff at an section i'm going is 5 funds. you may probably do it your self in case you comprehend a thanks to stitch. Take a pair you do not incredibly like and attempt it. i could take them up on the interior and the outdoors of the leg. Do a TINY bit, and also you'll continuously take them in better. yet in case you do not comprehend a thanks to stitch and do not have a pair to diminish to rubble then i could only look at how a lot it may value to remodel them.

Answer 6

I don't recommend even trying if you don't have a Surger. Most sewing machines just won't do it well at all.