How To Shorten Trouser legs (Shorten Legs of Pants USA) - options: dress post 704 by Angela Lansbury

Whatever can go wrong will do so. This is sometimes known as Murphy's law.

What could go wrong? My over-long trousers could get dirty or trip me up. I could make mistakes when trying to alter them.

Temporary Solution Indoors - Tuck In trouser Leg Hem 

I had a pair of black trousers (pants) which I wore regularly although they were too long. I managed to wear them around the house by tucking them into socks or into my boots. 

Trouble Running In the Rain With Over-Long Trouser Legs

However, when I went out in the rain and they got dirty I know they needed altering. As I searched for alternatives the right length, all I could find was a similar pair in brown.

I needed to alter two pairs of over long trousers.  One pair was brown, the other black. I started with the black ones which I wear more frequently since they co-ordinate with all my black skirt.

Why did trouser legs need altering? 

Not only did they flop about in the muddle puddles of rain, They were scary and downright dangerous. I kept tripping over them, catching the toe of one foot and the heel of the other boot.

Useful Tools For Shortening

Sewing Needles

Needle Threader

Matching sewing thread

Shoes or boots usually worn with the garment to be altered

Taylor's chalk

Ruler or measuring tape

Sewing scissors to cut thread

Mirrors to check correct height

Pinking shears (serrated-blade scissors used in dressmaking to stop fabric fraying)

Seam ripper or sewing scissors if unpicking hem or cuffs.

Iron.

Hemming tape (optional)

Download and watch video tutorials

Why Try Trousers On Before Shortening Hems?

In theory I could have turned them up a few inches, trying to remember how long they had been. Or I could have copied the leg length on another pair which were the right length.

Next day I took the trousers off the hanger and laid them down on a table. But I needed to know the right length when they were worn. Not to show socks and bare legs. But not to catch in heels.

I needed to know the right length when sitting, walking, climbing stairs. Not too long but not too short. 

 Advantages Of Cutting Long Hems

I was considering cutting off the hems. Firstly, that was quickest. 

If it looked frayed, well, it would be the grunge look, bohemian. I could cover the fraying edge with braid or ribbon edging later.

 I could use that fabric above or below pockets on the front of a blouse or jacket to create a co-ordinated look, a matching trouser suit. 

Disadvantages of Cutting Hems

However, I hesitated, because of the danger of fraying hem, or one leg shorter than the other. It would take time to sew around the hem by hand and would not look as neat as machine sewing. 

Advantages of Sewing, Without Cutting

 If I sewed it up wrongly, or changed my shoe height, I could unpick it.

I put on the trousers (Americans say pants) and the ankle boots I usually wear day and night.

Marking The Right Height

How should you mark the right height? 

Advantages of Pins

Pins are quick. Quick to put in. Quick to take out. 

Disadvantages of Pins

I hate pins. They stick in my fingertips as I put them into the fabric. They and up fastening not just the shell but also the lining. Pins prick my fingertips again when I move them. The scratch me as I pull on the garment. They scratch me as I sew. They scratch me when I pull them out. They scratch me if there's one I forget to move. They slide inside hems and disappear. They pull diagonally away from the place they were supposed to be marking. 

They fall out easily. They are a menace on the floor, on a seat, in a bed.

They are invisible on the floor. They disappear under tables with the momentum of a golf ball trying to reach a hole. Then you hit your head on the underside of the table as you try to stand up.

So, I turn to safety pins. 

Advantages Of Safety Pins

The name says it all. However:

1 A vertical safety pin is not accurate. Place the safety pins horizontally.  

I marked the place to turn up where the hem should reach with two different sized safety pins.  The smallest safety pin pulled apart.

My second effort was with large safety pins, turning back the hem of each leg.

Advantages of Magnetic clips

Then I bought magnetic clips. They seemed very strong. I expect they work well on a thin silk scarf. No nasty points to injure you. Quick to attach.

But on the folded back double hem of the trouser legs they fell off.

If at first you don't succeed, check an expert. I looked at a useful youtube tutorial. 

Taylor's Chalk

The video showed using taylor's chalk to mark where you would sew. I used a ruler to mark the level.

Ribbon To Tighten Cuffs

Optional Elasticated Cuff

Now I am wondering whether I could thread elastic through the double thickness hem and make the trousers tight on the ankle. 

Knitted Cuffs

I could use a pair of socks cut down to make knitted cuffs.

Useful Websites About Shortening Trouser Legs (Pants Legs)

https://www.wikihow.com/Hem-a-Pair-of-Pants

ttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/6DFB9NgXY0A

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