HOW TO CREATE A RAW HEM

DIYS
October 2020

raw hem cut on denim jeans close upraw hem cut on denim jeans close up

Want to learn a super easy DIY project? Our talented tailor Jen Sharkey is back with another Tailor Tutorial on distressed denim. Here, she shows us how to add a raw-cut hem to our favorite jeans. Bonus: all of the materials are common household objects.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

  • Jeans
  • Chalk
  • Scissors
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Ruler
  • Tape measure
    supplies denim jeans ruler scissors needle thread tape measure

    STEP 1

    Mark in chalk where you want to cut your jeans. Tip: do this while wearing the jeans so they don’t end up too short.


      woman marking jeans gif with shoes on

      STEP 2

      Use a ruler to mark the hem line. Then cut across with your scissors.

        woman hand cutting denim jeans with scissors

        STEP 3

        Measure the inseam of your new pant leg. Mark the un-cut leg with chalk, using the previous inseam length as a guide.

          tape measure measuring inseam of blue jeans

          STEP 4

          Repeat step two on your second pant leg.

            cutting bottom off of denim blue jeans

            STEP 5

            Turn the jeans inside out and add a few stitches to the outseam to keep the threads from unraveling.

              jeans inside out woman adding stitches to outseam of jeans

              STEP 6

              Distress the hem by hand with a rolling motion.

                hand distressing denim

                STEP 7

                Wear your new distressed jeans around town (while social distancing, of course).

                  distressed bottom of blue jeans