Shortening jeans and keeping the original hem
Fold the leg back on itself by half the amount to remove, stitch close to the edge of the original hem, then turn it down and press. You keep the original hem.
Pinny's tip
This also works as a temporary way to shorten children's jeans so you can lengthen them again later.
This also works as a temporary way to shorten children's jeans so you can lengthen them again later.
What you'll need
- Jeans needle: a strong, sharp needle for sewing through thick denim seams.
- Bulky seam aid (a 'hump jumper': a small plastic wedge that keeps the foot level over thick seams): listed by for this method.
- Matching standard sewing thread: the original hem stays on, so ordinary thread is enough.
- Chalk pen, sewing gauge and pins: to mark and hold the new length evenly.
Step by step
- Try the jeans on and decide how much to shorten them by, then halve that amount.
- With the jeans right side out, turn the hem back on itself so the folded edge sits that halved amount below the bottom of the original hem (for example, 1/2in to shorten by 1in). Pin in place.
- Stitch along the edge of the original hem, as close as possible, backstitching at the start and end.
- Turn the hem the right way out and press it in place.
- Either leave the excess fabric inside so you can lengthen the jeans later, or overlock or zigzag the edge close to the stitching and trim the excess to reduce bulk.
Watch
How to Shorten Jeans-Keep the Original Factory Jean Hem - Pro results with Domestic Sewing Machine (6:21)
By Notches Sewing · Open on YouTube
The video this technique page has always pointed to, a 6-minute one from Notches Sewing. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
Common mistakes
- Folding up the full amount. Fold back half; the fold doubles it.
Watch it done
- How to Shorten Jeans-Keep the Original Factory Jean Hem - Pro results with Domestic Sewing Machine by Notches Sewing on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.
- Best sewing trick - how to hem jeans without cutting the original hem! Miarti 🧵✂️ by Miarti - Sewing Tips on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.
Sources
All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.