How to shorten trousers

Mark the new length with the shoes on, unpick the old hem, cut leaving a hem allowance, finish the edge and re-hem by hand or with a blind hem.

Pinny's tip
Trousers usually look best just touching the top of the shoe at the front.

What you'll need

• Chalk and pins: to mark the length.
• Seam ripper: to remove the old hem.
• Blind hem foot or hand needle: for the new hem.

Step by step

1. Pin the new length with the trousers on and the right shoes.
2. Unpick the original hem and press it flat.
3. Measure the hem depth you want (often 3 to 4cm) below the new fold and cut.
4. Finish the raw edge with zigzag or an overlocker.
5. Press up the hem and sew with a blind hem or a hand catch stitch.
6. Press from the inside.

Common mistakes

• Measuring without shoes. Length changes with heel height.
• Cutting too short. Leave the hem allowance.
• Visible machine stitching on smart trousers. Use a blind hem.

Watch it done

• DIY | How to shorten and hem Suit Trousers/ Dress Pants • Sami Doll Tutorials by Sami Dolls on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.
• Blind Hem Your Dress Pants With a Home Sewing Machine by Aspiring Gent on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.

Sources

All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

1. Sew Essential: How To Hand Stitch Hems
2. Sew Essential: Five Ways To Machine Stitch Hems
3. Association of Sewing and Design Professionals: Shortening pants and sleeves (guideline PDF)
4. YouTube: DIY | How to shorten and hem Suit Trousers/ Dress Pants • Sami Doll Tutorials (Sami Dolls)
5. YouTube: Blind Hem Your Dress Pants With a Home Sewing Machine (Aspiring Gent)