Sew a Cuffed Hem on Sleeves or Pants

Elise
by Elise
1 Hour
Easy

Easy sewing project

Finished cuffed shorts

One of my favourite ways to finish shorts or cropped pants is to do a cuff. I’ve used it to save pants that were a bit too short in the leg by turning them into cuffed capris (I’m on the tall side, and if pants shrink in the wash at all, I end up with the legs too short). You can also use it as a nice finish to turn long sleeved shirts to short sleeved ones.


YOU WILL NEED


  • Pins
  • Tailor’s chalk
  • Scissors or rotary cutter with mat
  • Ruler
  • Sewing machine


Mark your cuff length


Start by marking the desired finished length of your garment. For your seam allowance, you need 1.25″. Cut a straight line.

Cut your seam allowance in a straight line. I like to use a rotary cutter and ruler/cutting mat, but it is fine to mark a line and cut with fabric scissors.

Turn the fabric up 1″, then another inch, making a double turned hem. You need to turn the fabric in each time.


Pin and stitch cuff


Pin. Stitch 1/4″ from the bottom of the turned hem.

Turn fabric up 1″, then again another inch.
Stitching the cuff, 1/4″ from the outside edge.

You’re almost done. Now just flip the hem down and press!

Pull hem down.
Press on the inside.

Now you have a nicely cuffed garment!

Final cuff.

If you liked this tutorial and would like to learn other ways to shorten your clothes, I have a short ebook The Beginner Sewists Guide to Hemming. It includes this blog post plus the post How to Sew A Euro Hem, and two basic hemming techniques in one convenient PDF download. To find out more, click here.

The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

Elise
Want more details about this and other fashion and style ideas? Check out more here!
Go
Comments
Join the conversation
Next