Overview: How to hem pants
| Step 1: Mark the new hem length | Put on your pants inside-out with the shoes you'll wear them with. Fold the fabric up to where you want the new hem to be, then pin or clip it in place. Use an iron to press the new crease, and optionally mark the line with fabric chalk or marker. |
| Step 2: Add hem allowance | Take off the pants and unfold the fabric. Measure about 0.5-1 inch below your new crease line and mark or cut the excess fabric at this point to create your hem allowance. |
| Step 3: Create a double-fold hem | Fold the raw edge of the fabric up toward the new crease line, press with an iron, then fold again at the crease itself to create a double-fold. This hides the raw edge inside the hem. |
| Step 4: Pin and sew | Pin or clip the double-fold in place all around the hem, then sew it using your sewing machine to secure the new hem. |
Learning how to hem pants at home is easier than you think, and you don't need fancy equipment to get professional-looking results. With just a few basic supplies and about 15 minutes, you can adjust any pair of pants or other clothing to fit you perfectly.
How to hem: three methods to choose from
You can hem your pants using a sewing machine, hand stitching, or iron-on hem tape. Pick the method that matches your skill level and the type of pants you're working with.
The sewing machine method (best for durability)
Machine sewing creates the strongest hem that will last through many washes. This method works well for jeans, casual pants, and anything you wear frequently.
Related article: How to Thread a Sewing Machine Step by Step
The hand-stitched method (best for dress clothes)
Hand stitching gives you an invisible hem that looks clean from the outside. This technique is perfect for dress pants, slacks, and formal wear.
The no-sew method (best for speed and beginners)
Using hem tape, you can create a hem by ironing it in place without any sewing required. You can finish a pair of pants in just a few minutes.
What is hem tape?
Hem tape is a strip of adhesive fabric that melts when you iron it, bonding two layers of fabric together. It comes in different widths and works on most fabric types.
How to measure and mark your hem
Wash and dry before cutting
If you cut and hem your pants before washing them, the fabric will shrink in the first wash and your pant legs will end up too short.
This is especially true for new 100% cotton fabric, so always wash and dry your pants first using the same settings you plan to use regularly.
Measuring with your shoes on
Wearing shoes while measuring ensures your hem hits at the right spot when you actually wear the pants.
Sneakers sit lower than boots, and flats are much shorter than heels, so the same pair of pants will need different hem lengths depending on which shoes you plan to wear with them.
Pinning and marking
Try the pants on right-side out and fold the hem up to your desired length. Measure to make sure the fold is even, then pin it in place.
Carefully remove the pants, turn them inside out, and mark along the folded edge using tailor’s chalk or a washable fabric marker to indicate the finished hem line.
Testing the correct length
Walk around and sit down while wearing the pinned pants to make sure the length feels right. Check the hem in a mirror from all angles before you commit to cutting.
How to hem pants (regardless of method)
Step 1: Mark the new hem length
Put on your pants inside-out with the shoes you'll wear them with. Fold the fabric up to where you want the new hem to be, then pin or clip it in place. Use an iron to press the new crease, and optionally mark the line with fabric chalk or marker.
Step 2: Add hem allowance
Take off the pants and unfold the fabric. Measure about 0.5-1 inch below your new crease line and mark or cut the excess fabric at this point to create your hem allowance.
Step 3: Create a double-fold hem
Fold the raw edge of the fabric up toward the new crease line, press with an iron, then fold again at the crease itself to create a double-fold. This hides the raw edge inside the hem.
Step 4: Pin and sew
Pin or clip the double-fold in place all around the hem, then sew it using your sewing machine to secure the new hem.
How to secure the hem using a sewing machine
Set your machine to a straight stitch and sew along the top edge of the folded hem, keeping your stitches about a quarter inch from the edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end to prevent the thread from unraveling.
Related article: How to Sew: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
How to secure the hem using hand stitching
Thread a needle and use a slip stitch or blind hem stitch to attach the folded fabric to the pants leg, keeping your stitches small and hidden on the outside. This method takes longer but creates an invisible finish.
How to secure the hem using hem tape
Place the hem tape between the folded fabric layers, then press with a hot iron for 10-15 seconds until the adhesive melts and bonds the fabric together. Let it cool completely before wearing the pants.
Handling tricky fabrics
Different fabrics need different approaches when hemming because they behave in different ways. Stretchy fabrics need a zigzag stitch, slippery fabrics need extra pins, and thick fabrics like denim need a heavy-duty needle.
How to hem jeans
Use a heavy-duty needle (or denim needle) and denim thread in your sewing machine, and sew two rows of stitching for a look that matches the original hem.
How to hem stretchy fabrics (leggings and knits)
Use a zigzag stitch or stretch stitch on your sewing machine so the thread can stretch with the fabric without breaking.
A ballpoint needle works best for knit fabrics because it slides between the fibers instead of piercing them.
How to hem thin or see-through fabrics
Fold the fabric twice to create a narrow double-fold hem that hides the raw edge completely. Use a lighter weight thread and a smaller needle to avoid leaving visible holes in delicate fabric.
How to hem slippery fabrics (chiffon, rayon, silk, etc)
Use lots of pins to hold slippery fabric in place, and consider using tissue paper under the fabric as you sew to prevent it from sliding around.
A walking foot attachment on your sewing machine can also help feed the fabric through evenly.
How to hem a dress or skirt
Follow the same measuring and pinning process as pants, making sure to check that the hem is level all the way around since it's more visible. Hand stitching works well for dresses and skirts because it creates an invisible finish.
How to hem a shirt or blouse
Measure how much length you want to remove, then fold the fabric up twice to create a clean edge and sew along the top of the fold. Keep the side seams aligned when you fold so the hem stays even.
Related article: The Best Sewing Machine for Every Skill Level in 2026
Common mistakes to avoid while hemming
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Skipping the washing step, which can lead to shrinkage that ruins your hem.
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Forgetting to try on the pants with shoes, which results in the wrong length.
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Not measuring twice before cutting.
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Using too few pins, which lets the fabric shift while you work.
How to fix a hem if you cut the fabric too short
You can let down the existing hem to add back some length, or add a decorative band of coordinating fabric to the bottom.
Another option is to turn the pants into cropped or ankle-length pants and embrace the shorter style.
How to prevent fraying after hemming pants
The easiest way to prevent fraying is to use a double-fold hem, where you fold the raw edge under twice so it's completely hidden inside the hem.
If you're using a single-fold hem, finish the raw edge first with a zigzag stitch, serger, pinking shears, or a thin line of fray check liquid along the cut edge.
Hemming tips from a professional
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Save yourself the hassle, grab a pair of pants you already love the length of and use those as your guide instead of fussing with measurements.
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A sewing machine produces the most secure hem. Hem tape is a good quick fix, but I’ve found it can sometimes come undone after a few washes.
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Stand up straight when you're checking the length! If you only measure while bending over, your pants will likely end up too short.
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Always err on the long side at first. You can always take more off later, but once you cut the fabric, you're stuck with that length. There’s a reason people say “measure twice, cut once”.
Temporary hem options for a quick fix
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Fabric tape or fashion tape that peels off when you're done wearing the pants.
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Safety pins placed on the inside of the hem where they won't show.
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Basting stitches with loose thread that you can easily pull out later.
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Fabric glue that washes out in the laundry.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to hem pants?
The easiest way to hem pants is using iron-on hem tape, which requires no sewing at all. You just fold the fabric, place the tape inside, and press with an iron for about 10-15 seconds.
What is the best stitch for hemming pants?
A straight stitch works well for most pants, but a blind hem stitch is best if you want the stitching to be invisible from the outside. Use a zigzag stitch or stretch stitch for knit fabrics so the thread can move with the fabric.
Is it better to hem pants by hand or machine?
Machine hemming is faster and creates a stronger hem that holds up better through repeated washing. Hand hemming takes longer but gives you more control and creates an invisible finish that's perfect for dress pants.
How do I make sure both pant legs are the same length?
After hemming one leg, lay the pants flat and fold them in half so the legs are stacked on top of each other, then measure from the crotch seam to the hem on both sides.
You can also measure both legs from the floor up while wearing the pants to check they're even.
What is the best tape for hemming pants?
Heat-activated hem tape designed specifically for fabric works best because it creates a strong bond that holds through washing.
Look for tape that matches the weight of your fabric (lighter tape for thin fabrics and heavier tape for jeans or thick materials).
Will hemming tape come off in the washing machine?
Good quality hem tape should stay in place through multiple washes if you've applied it correctly with enough heat and pressure.
Cheaper tape or tape that wasn't ironed long enough may start to peel after a few wash cycles.
Can I hem pants using a hair straightener instead of an iron?
Yes! A hair straightener works great in a pinch for activating hem tape on small sections, although it may not hold up as well over time.
How do I hem pants that have a tapered or skinny leg?
Turn the pants inside out so you can work on the narrow leg opening more easily, and use lots of pins to keep the fabric smooth around the curve.
You may need to hand stitch or use a smaller sewing machine foot to navigate the tight space.
What is a blind hem stitch?
A blind hem stitch is a technique where you catch just a few threads of the outer fabric with each stitch so the stitching is nearly invisible from the right side.
Most sewing machines have a blind hem foot and stitch setting that automates this process.
Why is my hem looking wavy or puckered?
Your hem is probably wavy because you're pulling the fabric too tight while sewing or because you didn't press the fold well enough before stitching.
Make sure to guide the fabric gently through the machine without stretching it, and always press with an iron first.
