Cutting jeans - mistake or no?

shiny

I mentioned I found a second pair of my earnest sewn skinnies. The original pair is hemmed on the long side, for fashionable scrunchability with high heels or flats.

The hem is such that they saved the original hem. This means that the hem is bulky. When I cuff them, then put socks over, and pull on boots - even my scrunchy ones - the original hem (because of the way it is sewn) rubs annoyingly.

So this new pair - my plan (after I finish shrinking them in the dryer) is to just cut them short with scissors and skip the hem entirely! I am thinking this will be just for wearing with boots. I can certainly save the excess, if someday I want to have the hem reattached.

But before I cut - let me know if you think this is a mistake, and have a different solution to offer.

Thanks!

17 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Maya

Veteran

If I am understanding you right, I think it's a bad idea. Won't it just fray at the ends?

Can't you just get a regular hem instead of having them shortened with the original hem?

17 years ago

Patience

Veteran

They will fray a bit I'm sure but they'd probably be okay. I think I would personally get a regular hem but I don't know that thare's really in good reason except paranoia that I might be caught having to take my boots off somewhere and reveal the ends.

17 years ago

Anonymous

I wonder if the raw edge would roll? If so that would be a good reason to have a hem put in. I don't know how this new denim with stretch in it acts when not hemmed. A sales person at the fabric store may have some answers.
Also if you don't want the bulk of a hem and also don't want a raw edge, your tailor may have a serger to finish the edge with no bulk.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

I vote against it for the same reason as Patience. I have to take my shoes off in several friends' homes, which makes me vigilant about the state of my socks. And I wouldn't risk it with jeans, either. I second the suggestion of regular hem.

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

The only benefit to not hemming them is you'll save yourself some time and money. A basic hem shouldn't cost very much--heck, you could do it yourself.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Unfortunately, I have no time to get the jeans hemmed before we leave on our road trip. But I will leave them a bit long, so they can be hemmed later.

I like the idea of a serger hem - and yes, Nicole, we have a serger but I've never learned how to use it and my DD (it's hers) isn't around right now to do it for me! I also don't think I have a needle that will go through denim. That would require a trip out to the sewing store, and I just don't have time this weekend (I shouldn't even be online, but I'm procrastinating while drinking morning coffee!!!)

What I want to avoid is a reattached or even a rolled hem - it adds bulk and then rubs annoyingly under boots, no matter what I try (yes even with my loose, scrunchy boots). These will be my "boots only" jeans.

I imagine that, even if hemmed, they will look goofy if I take the boots off? Because they'll be ankle length with no scrunch? Unless there is some way to make that length look fashionable? Hmm, like maybe finishing them off with a ribbon or strip of colorful fabric or something?

Or how about when removing the boots, just tucking them into cute, scrunched up socks? For example I have brown cashmere socks with cute red polka dots, and black socks with snowflakes... who would notice my hem - they'd be admiring my adorable socks!!

I dunno...

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Are they too tight to roll up to just below your knee? I know it's little youthful to roll your jeans up (at least that's what all the middleschoolers are doing around here these days), but it would be an easy way to wear them without your boots.

If you have a regular sewing machine Shiny, you could get a similar effect of a serger by just zigzagging a wide zig zag on a tight stitch around the hem.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My first quezzie is why you pop socks on OVER your jeans? Have I understood that correctly?

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

How about cutting them, and then just using that iron-on hemming tape on them temporarily? That thing usually comes off in the wash.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Angie, I tuck to squash down the excess cuff/hem so I can zip up the boots, and so it doesn't rub so annoyingly!! And to keep the jeans put inside the boots.

I think because I do the "reattach hem" this is the problem. That sort of hem job preserves the original hem - but leaves a VERY bulky hem.

Pics (under separate topic) coming up in a minute... you will be able to see what I mean...

17 years ago

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