Create a New Hem

• 1). Put on your jeans. Roll up the hem, on the inside of your jeans, until they are the desired length and pin in place using straight pins.
  
  
• 2). Use straight pins to mark the bottom of the new hem of your jeans. Lay your jeans out flat. Use a ruler to draw a straight line from the front to the back of the new hemline.
  
  
• 3). Measure down 1 inch from the new hemline. Use a ruler and tailoring chalk to draw a second straight line at that point. Cut along the second line that you drew.
  
  
• 4). Turn up the hem 1 inch along the first chalk line that you drew. Use straight pins to pin in place. Try on jeans again to ensure that the hem is the correct length.
  
  
• 5). Trim 1/2 inch from the side-seam of the jeans to reduce bulk in the seam. Turn the bottom of the hem 1/2 inch. Turn the hem 1/2 inch again and pin in place.
  
  
• 6). Thread your sewing machine with thread that matches the color of your jeans. Use a standard presser foot on your sewing machine and begin sewing on the inside of the jean leg along the top of the new hemline. Prevent sewing needle breakage by manually turning the wheel of the sewing machine when you sew over the bulky side seams. Stitch back and forth a few stitches at the beginning and end of your stitching line. Press the new hem of your jeans. Repeat Steps 1 to 6 on the other leg of the jeans.
  
  

Keep the Original Hem

• 1). Put on your jeans. Turn the hem of your jeans up -- on the inside of your jeans, with the original hem showing -- the desired amount. Use straight pins to pin in alteration in place.
  
  
• 2). Turn the jeans inside out. Pin the turned up portion of the hem and remove the pins that you inserted when marking the hem.
  
  
• 3). Place the zipper foot on your sewing machine. Starting on the inside side seam, stitch next to the original hem of your jeans. Prevent needle breakage by manually turning the wheel on your sewing machine when you sew over the bulky side seams. Stitch back and forth at the beginning and end of your stitching line. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 on the other leg of your jeans.
  
  
• 4). Turn your jeans right-side out. Press the new hemline of your jeans using a steam iron with the excess fabric on the inside of your jeans facing up. Try on your jeans to confirm that the new hemline is the correct length. Adjust if necessary.
  
  
• 5). Starting on the inside of the jean leg, stitch 1/8 inch from the seam line on the outside of your jeans. If desired, trim all but 1/2 inch of the excess fabric on the inside of your jeans. Finish the cut edge with a zigzag stitch.