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One of my favourite ways to finish shorts or cropped pants is to sew a cuffed hem. 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 into short-sleeved ones.

To sew a cuffed hem, 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.

Turn the fabric up one inch, so the hem allowance is inside the shorts. Then turn up another inch, making a double-turned hem. Pin in place.

Sew cuffed hem

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

Press your cuffed hem in place

The 3/4″ hem allowance on the inside of your stitching becomes your cuff. Pull this hem allowance down to the right side of your shorts.

Press the hem allowance in place by pressing on the inside of the shorts, with the hem allowance folded to the right side.

Now you know how to sew a cuffed hem!

Sewing and Alterations Journal

I created a downloadable planner/journal to help keep my sewing organized. I was tired of re-measuring myself before every project, forgetting an important notion at the store, looking for patterns I had used, and then not being sure what I was going to do differently on it next time. If this is you, check out the planner I created to help keep garment sewists organized, plus some of my alterations tips.

Find out more about the planner here.

Want to learn more about altering clothes you already have, to fit your unique body and style? Receive my free guide full of tips to get you started doing your own clothing adjustments by signing up to my newsletter here.