A Complete Guide On How To Hem Jeans

This tutorial is a complete guide to hemming your jeans. There are two parts to it. The first part is finding the correct length your jeans should be hemmed to according to the style of jeans you have. And the second is how to actually hem jeans while keeping the original hem. This way they can look like they were tailored just for you!  

Hope you find this DIY guide on how to hem jeans helpful!

Part 1: What length is the right length to hem my jeans?

You’ve found your perfect pair of jeans, but they’re not perfect until they’re properly hemmed for you.

How to hem your jeans is a big question, it can be a complicated thing, every style of jeans needs to be uniquely hemmed to highlight the best features of the style.

Growing up, I could never get it right. Jeans that are too long look sloppy, jeans hemmed too short and you look like you’ve shrunk your them in a wash.

This post is dedicated to help you find the most suitable hem length for your jeans, whether they are skinny & straight to boot cut and flared.

Still shopping for your perfect pair of jeans?  
Check out my post on the Best Places to Shop for Jeans Online! 

Traditional Lengths to Hemming Jeans

What length should my jeans be?

In the photo above, I have the 4 basic style of jeans and the appropriate hem length that each should be:

1. Skinny Jeans
2. Straight Leg Jeans
3. Boot Cut Jeans
4. Flared or Wide Leg Jeans

1. Hemming length for skinny jeans

I find choosing a hem length for skinny jeans to be a little more forgiving. If they are a bit long, the jeans can still look good a little bunched up or you can have the option of wearing them rolled up.

But for a clean chic look, I like skinny jeans hemmed at the top of the ankle or cropped slightly above it.

2. Hemming length for straight leg jeans

Like the skinny, straight leg jeans should be kept at a shorter length for a clean modern look.

Traditionally straight legged jeans are hemmed so they touch the mid part of your ankle. That way you can wear them with flats, short boot and heels. This also gives you flexibility if you want to wear them rolled up.

Currently, the trend for cropped straight legged jeans, so you’ll see a lot of straight jeans that are cropped a few inches above the ankle like the picture below.

3. Hemming for Boot Cut Jeans

Boot cut jeans are meant to elongate the leg length and slim it, so you’ll be wanting to keep the length of the jean longer for this style.

Finding the right hem for boot cut jeans is really dependent on the heel height of your shoe.  

You’ll want to hem them about 1/4 -1/2 inch off the ground measured from the back of your heel to get that slimming look.

Like with straight leg jeans, there’s a current trend for cropped boot cut jeans. And in this case you can hem cropped slightly above the ankle.

4. Hemming for Flared and Wide Leg Jeans

Flared and wide leg jean hem lengths are much like the boot cut jeans. Keep in mind the height of the shoes you’ll be wearing most with them. Then hem them 1/4-1/2 inch from the bottom heel.

With flared and wide leg jeans, you really have to get the hem length just right. If they’re too long, they’ll be dragging on the ground. And if they’re too short, it’ll look silly.

When measuring for flared and wide leg jeans, make sure to stand up straight and you have your jeans sitting in a comfortable position on your hips. Having a friend to help cuff your jeans to the right length is helpful helpful.

How To Hem Jeans with Original Hem

If you’re petite like me, hemming every pair of your jeans can add up to be an expensive task. And especially so if you want to keep the original hem which is usually an extra.  

So why not just do it yourself? The process of hemming your jeans is actually very simple. If you have a sewing machine, great! Your alterations will take you no time at all, but even if you don’t, you can still hem your own jeans the traditional way with needle and thread, and still have them turn out great!

Step 1: First, you’ll want to measure the proper length of your jeans and fold them outward. Roll the jeans up so they are slightly above your desired hem length.

Step 2: Sew along the seam of the original hem. If you have a sewing machine this will be quick and easy, but if you don’t a needle and a thread will do just fine.

Step 3: Cut the excess fabric away, leaving maybe 1 cm or a little less from the your newly sewed seam

Step 4: Iron flat and you’re all done!

Photo credits for this jean hemming tutorial goes to Do It Yourself Divas.

I hope you found this post informative and helpful!
Let me know your thoughts below in the comments section below.

XOXO,