Do you need to hem pants but don’t want to sew? There are many different ways to hem pants without sewing them. You can find many tutorials on Youtube that will show you how to do this, or ask your neighbors for advice if they have experience with it themselves!
There are tons of videos online about what the best way is when it comes down to hems. Sometimes people don’t want to go through all that trouble, so I’m here today just giving my two cents if anyone wants an alternative.
Interested in a particular method of how to hem pants without sewing? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
What are the best ways to hem pants without sewing?
The first one is the most common way, and it’s also the easiest! It involves using a small strip of tape with one end folded over an inch or more onto itself. The second method is a little trickier, but it yields great results. This method requires that you fold up the pant leg to be taped without any folds in the fabric. Lastly, we’ll go over how to use quilt batting as a no-sew hemming technique for really thick fabrics like denim and corduroy.
Do I have to sew the hems if I use tape?
You have to sew if you want pants that are the same length all the way around. Tape is more for a temporary fix if your pants are too short with many slacks, and then they aren’t. It’s not going to hold up as well when washing them or you go upstairs. Although overall, I’m a big fan of Hem Tape. It’s an example of how we’re always looking to simplify our lives one task at a time. And it only takes five minutes to use it!
What do you do if the fabric is too thick for tape?
There is a wide range of glue tapes for all your taping needs, but the most common is likely our hem-tape. Although not all of them are working for heavier fabrics, some will do. E.g. one reportedly works for things like leather, woven fabrics and even wood (although it’s not a material you’d sew with, but it’s definitely thick). It sticks even to the heaviest fabrics, such as jeans, and can be removed by peeling off slowly without snagging or damaging the fabric. Use caution when taping hems that contain spandex. If you’re not careful, this tape may peel it up to reveal white stretchy threads underneath (which is more ideal).
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Why use tape instead of pins or other tools for hems that don’t require sewing?
Tape can be a great alternative to pins when sewing is unnecessary: for example, on clothes that are never meant to come off. This provides a hem without sewing and also keeps the creases in the fabric from getting ironed out.
Pins should still be used if you plan to wash your garment as they will hold the hem in place better over time than tape; if creases do stay set with pins, they won’t rub through as they will with tape.
Tools such as an iron or steamer must also be used so that folds, pleats, and gathers can all be flat (unlike crunchy). Ironing prevents this! For other types of seams, such as hems around skirts or in the center of pants, you’ll need to use a needle and thread.
Credits: photos by Canva
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