Shortening Jeans With Darts

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  Step 1

  I needed to shorten these jeans only from the back leg, because the front was perfect. Also these pants had a beautiful worn detail in the heel, so normal cutting did not seem like a good idea. I decided to shorten these with DARTS.

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  Step 2

  I measured that 1 1/2 inches (8cm) had to be lost. I decided that I would take 1/2 inch (3cm) from the heel and 1 inch (5cm) from the knee.

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  Step 3

  This is the back leg, knee hight. First I drew a "folding line" and then two more lines 1/2 inches on both sides. I use a ballpoint pen to do my markings, because it stas on well and comes off in wash.

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  Step 4

  Now fold the leg and pin together.

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  Step 5

  I find it easier to start sewing from the middle towards the sideseams. Sew twice with regular sewing thread to make the seam last better.

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  Step 6

  You must curve the seam when closing the sideseams.

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  Step 7

  Fold the sideseam allowances out of your way when you sew so you are able to stitch all the way to the sideseam.

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  Step 8

  When the darts are done, try the jeans on to see if the length is correct. If they are, fold the dart allowances upwards and stitch fro top to make the seam fit better. DO NOT CUT ANY ALOWANCES AWAY.

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  Step 9

  Your knee-dart should look like this. I usually sew twotop-stitches to make the allowances stay in place better.

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  Step 10

  Now repeat the same with the heel-darts.

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  Step 11

  For the heel-dart only one top-stitching is needed because the allowances are not wide. Always fold the allowances upwards.

  I sewed the heel darts about 2 inches from the hem, because I did not want to mess up the heel abrasions.

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  Step 12

  Finished! The leg will curve to the back but it will look surprisingly straight when the jeans are worn. Isn´t it amazing where 1 1/2 inches (8cm) on extra-length just disappheared! And no cutting needed. So... If I ever wanted to open the darts up again to add length, it is possible!

  I use only one dart (sewn to hem) if I need to shorten the denim 1/2 inches (3cm) from the back, but leave the front un-touched.

Comments

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Glenda A. 27th February 2011

You are so clever! Love this idea and best of all, if I goof, I can undo it. Thanks!

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Chuckee · Las Vegas, Nevada, US · 15 projects 21st September 2009

Dude... Great idea...
My pants always come too short, but most of my friends have to roll theirs up, which drives me nuts! So maybe I'll see if I can talk them into letting me try this out on their pants...

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Outi Les Pyy (previously OutsaPop Trashion) · Finns, FI · 12 projects 21st July 2008

Athenamat, these pants actually look surprisingly "straigt" when worn. The hem dart is hardly visible (leg looks straight). The knee dart curves the leg slightly but not no much that it would make the jeans funnylooking.

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athenamat · New York, New York, US · 19 projects 19th July 2008

I'd like to see these pants worn because I have a hard time invisioning how these would look on. Neat idea though!

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Cat Morley · London, GB · 1432 projects 22nd June 2008

This is such an awesome and helpful how-to, thank you!

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cinderelly · 4 projects 30th April 2008

this is too cool...i like to wear high heels and like my pants long, but the hem in back always seem to wear out. this might help!

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Krissi · Folsom, California, US · 9 projects 29th April 2008

Great idea! I'm always stepping on about .25" of my hem!

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