Ever found a perfect pair of jeans off the rack? A pair that perfectly fits and complements your body?
If so, you are lucky. For most people, the only way to own a perfectly fitting pair of jeans is by taking them to a tailor.
Even though you may have a general idea of what size and style of jeans to buy, you will more than likely still need some alterations. The most common of these alterations usually involves hemming jeans to the correct length.
How does a tailor hem jeans?
In this short guide, we will walk you through how a tailor hems jeans. Although an experienced tailor can do the job quickly, it requires a great degree of skill and precision.
How Does a Tailor Hem Jeans?
To begin, a tailor needs to measure the jeans you purchased.
How long should they be? How much do they need to be hemmed?
By taking careful measurements while you wear the jeans, a tailor determines how much length to remove. In most cases, the bottom of your jeans should be about a half inch from the floor, although this figure may vary based upon personal preference.
Next, the jeans are pinned at the desired length. In fact, two different rows of pins are used.
The first marks the desired length of the lengths after the new hem is sewn in.
A second row is then added roughly another half inch above. Since the original hem will remain intact throughout the process of removing material, this second row of pins compensates for the length of the original hem.
The first row of pins used to take the original measurement is now removed.
The pant legs are now folded up so that the jeans are essentially turned inside out. The tailor is very careful in this step to ensure that the denim material itself is free from any folds or wrinkles. It is important before making any alterations to ensure he or she is working with a totally smooth surface.
A sewing machine is used to sew the new hem. A straight stitch is applied evenly across the folded portion of the jeans the entire way around the leg. Once complete, the sewing is tied off and the threads are cut.
The jeans are now hemmed, and ready to be turned back right-side-out. All of the ugly work involved with hemming is concealed within the pant leg.
To complete the process, it is a good idea to iron the new hem. The tailor will use plenty of steam in this step to ensure that the new hem, including the loop of excess fabric that was created, is pressed flatly and neatly.
Also Read: How to Hem Those Pants for a Perfect Fit
Lengthening & Taking in Jeans
In some cases, newly bought jeans may need to be lengthened or taken in.
Lengthening a pair of jeans involves cutting fabric to create a new lining and then sewing it into the pant leg.
Taking in the size of jeans involves altering the width, adjusting the hips and waist, or modifying the inseam.
As you can imagine, alterations of this nature are far more expensive and time-consuming for a tailor to complete. If you are trying to decide between a pair of jeans that are too long, too short, or too tight, choose the pair that is too long. It will save you money when it comes time to get the pair altered.
How Does a Tailor Hem Jeans in Toronto?
When it comes to choosing a tailor in Toronto, buyer beware – experience levels can vary drastically.
If you want to ensure your jeans are hemmed properly, trust them to the professionals of Love Your Leather. Our team has more than 25 years of experience in custom alterations, and we only use cutting edge technology in a 10,000 square foot facility.
Call 416-538-2326 for more information.