Even in heels, my jeans are too long.

I practically live in blue jeans and often can’t resist buying a pair if it fits well.  Despite a good fit, they almost always are too long.  Pants aren’t usually designed for someone who’s only five feet tall.  I buy them anyway, telling myself that I will get them altered, but being frugal, I have been putting off spending the asking price of $14/pair to get them shortened.

So for the past couple years, I have accumulated a pile of jeans that never get worn.  While I was in Rite Aid the other day, I saw that Singer products were on sale, and the heavy-duty hand needles caught my eye. Impulsively, I bought a set and a spool of brown thread - might as well try to see if I could do it myself!

I came home and picked out my least favorite pair since the potential for disaster was pretty high.  Now, when it comes to shortening a pair of jeans, you could do a simple, straightforward hem.  This is just cutting, folding and sewing.  The problem with this is that most jeans have distressed hems.  Look at the bottom of jeans and you’ll see that the edge has a worn, “hammered” look.  Some even have fringes or tears, all of which give it character.  Cutting that off and sewing in a new plain hem is not the look I want for my jeans.  Instead, I needed to attach the original hem.

After a bit of searching, I came across this site with great instructions on how to attach the original hems when shortening a pair of jeans.  In a nutshell, you’re not removing excess length from the bottom, but from above the original hem.  It’s sort of like tucking in and cutting.  Your sewing isn’t even noticeable unless someone comes down and examines your hemline closely.  It works perfectly!

Original hem has been pulled up, sewing line barely visible.

I was able to do a pair by hand, but it took me over an hour and honestly, it was pretty tedious.  With nearly a dozen pairs that needed shortening, I couldn’t see myself doing the rest by hand.  I needed a sewing machine and knew just wear to get one!

A few days prior, I was in the thrift store at the corner and saw an old Sears Kenmore sewing machine.  I could tell it was an older model because it was all metal; most modern sewing machines are plastic.  I went back to the store hoping it was still there.  Not only was it still available, but the cashier gave me $5 off!  Though I think it’s because she felt sorry for me since I was carrying it the 2 blocks home.  One thing about metal sewing machines - they are friggin’ heavy!  (It’s been 2 days and my shoulders and upper back are still sore and I work out regularly!)

My new old sewing machine from Out of the Closet.

I got it home, tried in vain for over an hour to figure it out (I’m not used to older models), and then downloaded a manual online for $8.  I found out it’s a Kenmore 158.18033 sewing machine from the 1950s, and at $20, I got it for a major steal.  It’s a favorite machine by many online and I can see why.  After nearly five decades, it still runs beautifully.  I used a straight stitch to hem 11 pairs of jeans and the zig-zag stitch to mend a tear in another.

Special stitches and details on machine and original case.

All my jeans fit perfectly now, and despite all that sewing, I’m dying to do more!  I’ve been looking around the apartment for anything that needs mending with no luck.   Hmm, maybe I’ll just make a blob.

All my jeans are now the perfect length for little ol' me!

Share/Bookmark: