How to Hem Sweatpants

Introduction

This detailed 9 step guide will teach you how to hem sweatpants with elastic at the leg opening. This guide is easy to follow and anyone can do it.

The process requires a very basic knowledge of sewing, and can be done either with a sewing needle or a sewing machine, with the steps displaying how to use either. You also need to know how to use a seam ripper.

Lastly, like most guides hemming a pant leg, this process is not reversible, so make sure you measure correctly.

What you need

Step 1 How to Hem Sweatpants

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Use the seam ripper to remove the seams along the hem of the bottom of the pants.

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Step 2

Remove the elastic band from the pants. Keep the elastic for later.

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Step 3

Place pins where you want the pants to end.

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Step 4

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Measure the length of the cuff.
Measure how long the pants need to be cut.
Keeping in mind a small length below the pins for the new cuff, mark where you want to cut with your washable marker.

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Step 5

Using the fabric scissors, cut along the line you marked, making sure to keep a straight and steady line.

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Step 6

Fold the new end of the pants outward, at a minimum of double the length of the elastic band.

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Step 7

Place the elastic band on top of the fold from the previous step.
Place the top of the elastic along the pin line.
Using the needle and thread, sew both ends of the elastic band to the seam running vertically up and down the pant leg.

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Step 8

Fold the top of the folded fabric section back over the elastic, using the pins as the top line.
Place pins along the bottom of the new fold to keep the fabric in place.

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Step 9

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Sew a new hem along the line created by the new pins. You can either hand-sew or use a sewing machine.
Sew ONLY along the new pins placed in the previous step. Do not sew along the first row of pins created at the beginning.
Once the sewing is complete, remove all the pins and undo the first fold.
The last photo provides a sample of the finished product.