Wow! It is hard to believe the holidays are in the rearview mirror. But, what is really hard to wrap my head around is that is was 60 degrees (16C) here in Central Indiana on Christmas Day! Now, we are experiencing true winter weather. When I woke up yesterday, it was -7 (-21.7C). Next week, we’ll be back in the 40s (4C) and 50s (10C). My plants are going to be so confuzzled. But, today is the third Thursday of January which means it’s time for an Ageless Style challenge. Rosemary chose “rockin’ our jeans” as we come out of the glitzy holiday season. Last month, Mireille chose “Layer it up!” which was fun to interpret! In the past we have done Southwestern, summer denim, movie characters, and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here here, here, and here. Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites!
Rockin my jeans…
Listen, I’m not going to give you a styling lesson on jeans. I wear jeans all the time, but I usually just throw some kind of top on and call it a day. Yeah, I’m not a fashionista when it comes to every day life and jeans! But, I’m betting you can find that at one of my stylin’ sisters below!
Denim…
I’m not going to give you a history lesson on denim, either. I’m saving that for another post, or am I? Nope, I’m going to give you a different kind of lesson. One I almost wish I hadn’t learned. As most of you can tell, I am vertically challenged. I am 5’1″ on a good day. So, I have almost always have to hem pants. I’ve loved the cropped ankle length because that’s just about perfect for me. I rarely can wear petite pants because they are too short in the rise. So, I went searching on YouTube for a video on how to hem jeans with the original hem. That means you preserve the original hem and don’t end up with a pair of jeans that have obviously been shortened. You can find all kinds, ranging from wordy 10-15 minute versions to shorter no words at all versions. After watching several, I got the gist of it and decided to go for it!
What you’ll need…
You will need a sewing machine with a detachable thingamabob (you know, you use it for sleeves), the presser foot that adjusts for sides, pins, some kind of measuring device, and scissors. I decided to cheat and use a pair of jeans that were the length I liked. You might have a husband who like his jeans a titch long and can depend on him to get you the length you want. I have a husband who thinks jeans should not break across the shoe. He’s wrong!
The process…
I placed my new jeans on top of the jeans I already had, matched up the crotch and the sides. You should use the crotch rather than the waistband because the rise could be (and probably is) different. Then, fold up the hems of the jeans you want to shorten. It’s important you do this with the right side of the jeans out rather than the inside which seems counterintuitive. Measure all the way around. In all the videos, they measured from the fold to the start of the original hem. I don’t know if that’s because you really have to do it or if that was just convenient. But, since this was my first time, I decided to play by the rules. The next step is to pin close to that original hem, making sure to have the seams on each side match up with the original hem.
A little more…
Now, change your presser foot to that funny looking one that has indentations on each side. You want to use the side that snugs up against the original hem as you’re sewing. Make sure you have a new needle because denim is thick. I didn’t do that and broke a needle…rookie mistake! Sew as close as you can beside the original hem. I used white thread and didn’t have any kind of problem. Once you’ve made it all the way round, do the same thing for the other leg. Now, here’s where I did break the rules. Almost all the videos left that folded up bit of denim attached. I had quite a bit of denim so I cut it off and then zigzagged the edges. If you have a serger, use that. Then, press everything down. Bingo, bango, boingo, you’ve got yourself shortened jeans with an original hem!
My outfit…
Your eyes do not deceive you! I’m wearing two different sweaters for this post. There were a few days between photos! Both of the sweaters are very old! The first (those involving the jeans too long) was a fun find at VonMaur. It has quirky buttons and snaps to close it as well as different sections of sweater. It’s like a patchwork of prints and knit stitches. The second is from Paul Harris (which should tell you how old it is) and still has the original shoulder pads in it. It’s all cotton, full of different colors and crochet stitches. My jeans are from Old Navy. They might be these though I don’t think the short option was available when I bought them.
The Lewk!
I typically don’t wear these sneakers when it’s colder as the leather is thin and perforated. But, I need something to replace my beloved Sofft sneakers so I’m trying these now. They’re a little hard to get on with socks! The earrings are from J Jill. Well, that was a short one, right?
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I wish I had known how easy it is to hem jeans and preserve that original hem. If, however, you’re hemming jeans with a flare, you have to do a little tugging. I would recommend you look for a YouTube video detailing how to do it. And, why do I almost wish I hadn’t learned how to do this? Now, Nigel wants his jeans hemmed, and he has a lot! So, can we talk? Are you one of those lucky people who never have to hem pants or jeans? Or, are you like me, and you have to either hem them or have them tailored? Have you ever hemmed your jeans using this method? Please leave a comment, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
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Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, and Style Splash. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
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Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
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Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
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And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts about denim, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Here are links to all of the lovely ladies in the Ageless Style collaboration. Please do visit them on their various media. Link up with us, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
I’ve never had to hem my own but through the years I’ve hemmed so many of my boy’s pants (and learned to lengthen them by letting down other hems too depending on the boy!). But I sewed a lot in high school and am pretty decent on a sewing machine. While I may not always do it the “right” way I do get it to look good in the end so I think that’s all that matters.
Thanks, Joanne! I never had to hem anything for my boys, but I have hemmed several things for my daughter. I go through phases when I like to sew. I think I’m in one now.
Oh wow, Marsha, that is a brilliant way of hemming jeans! You can’t tell at all that you have shortened them. I am one of those tall people who doesn’t have to hem anything, but sometimes I do have to let a hem down a bit! That, of course, is a bit easier to do. I have not attempted to sew denim yet, so I really appreciate your tip about the needle. I would not have otherwise known to start with a new one. I really like both of your cozy, patchy, colorful sweaters!
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! I was really worried about it, but after watching so many videos, I realized it was a simple fix. I rarely have to let the hem out in anything! Yep, get a new needle. It might even be better to ask for a needle specifically for denim.
When I was a child, my father always said to me “If you want to learn how to do something, go to the library and get a book”, now I say to my children and grandchildren “If you want to learn how to do something, look it up on YouTube” ha ha! There is a video for anything! I’ve learned so much from YouTube. I’m glad you found a great way to hem jeans. I have the opposite problem of you. I’m 5’7 with long legs and most pants are too short on me.
That’s so true, Amy! You can figure out how to do just about anything on YouTube. It’s probably worse being too tall, right?
Thanks, Amy!
Those shoes are amazing!! And love that first sweater! I have gotten jeans hemmed once. I have cut two pairs of jeans at the hem but I try to buy pairs that don’t need work. Great tutorial though for those who want to try.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I have never had jeans hemmed. I usually just wore them too long or bought petites that didn’t fit well. This was really easy. I’m glad I learned how to do it.
I love that you shared this. It’s so helpful and super easy too.
BTW, that first sweater is something special.
XOOX
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! This sweater is really pretty nifty because the buttons are all different, and there are so many prints and stitches. I was a bit afraid until I folded, pinned and checked. It’s so easy! Now, it’s on to Mike’s jeans!
It’s been a long time since I hemmed a pair of jeans this way, but it works very well. (I’m 5’8″ so I don’t generally have this issue but I have occasionally bought Tall/Long jeans at the thrift store.) But these days…my guess is I’d just cut them off and let them fray…an act of laziness that I would hope could pass as a fashion choice 😀
Sally, I had no idea you were that tall (and, that is really tall to me)! I do like the frayed hem and hope it hangs on for a long, long while!
Thanks for coming by!
I really wish I knew how to sew! I love that you can do an original hem yourself! Both of your sweaters are so cute and cozy!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I enjoy sewing and used to make my daughter’s clothes when she was in grade school. I’m glad I learned how to do this. It will make buying jeans so much easier now.
I also hem jeans this way. Just did a pair of pants for my granddaughter, also. I too cut off the excess fabric, because i need to shorten a lot. My suggestion is that you try the pants on before doing the final cutting and finishing! Learned the hard way.
Thanks, Elizabeth! I knew there was a way to do it, but I’d never really pursued it until I bought this pair of jeans. Luckily, the trend the last few years has been the cropped ankle length which was perfect for me. I did cut off one pair of jeans and just frayed the ends…too short! I think I’m going to have to cut them off even farther and make them truly cropped for me.
Good for you on learning how to do an original hem! I pay people to do mine. Lol! Love the jeans and look!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! When you’re 5’1″, you learn how to hem! I think I have just been lucky over the last several years that cropped jeans were in style. They were more like ankle length or longer for me. I was so surprised at how easy this is to do, though.
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You are a woman of many talents!! Wish I could use a sewing machine but try as my mother might, I failed at sewing!! Great directions, though. And your hemming looks sensational. I have decided that I am no longer up to wearing heels very often or very long. Most of my flare or straight leg jeans require heels. So, this month, I purchased 3 pairs of shorter straight leg jeans. One pair is even petite, which I have never worn in the past. But I am shrinking in a big way!! Waaaaaa.
Love all of your looks. That first top/jacket is divine. Those earthy colors and the boho details are very appealing. Love the shoes, too. Maybe they will be easier to put on if they stretch out just a bit with wearing. They are such a great neutral color and so feminine. You have the very best shoes and boots.
Oh, my goodness, Leslie! My mom could sew like crazy. She made my Barbie clothes! But, she really didn’t teach any of us to sew. She went to work outside the home when I was nine or ten so she was too tired to teach us after that. So, I’m pretty much self-taught.
Honestly, this was so easy. I thought for sure I was doing it all wrong. I hemmed a pair of Mike’s jeans yesterday in about ten minutes. The only bad thing is running over those seams! I’ve broken two needles!
Thank you so much, my friend! I buy cute shoes because the size is the same whether I gain or lose weight…hahaha!!!
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