Refashionista Basics // How to re-hem and add ankle zips to skinny jeans

 I don't know about you, but I have short legs and big calves, so buying a pair of skinny jeans almost always means alterations are in order. Despite my initial hesitation to get on the skinny jeans love-train, I've really grown into them and now i just love the comfort and the look. One thing I hate though, is that some of them are just so damn skinny in the bottom. Yes, I know, they're called skinnies for a reason, but some of them are just so uncomfortable to get over the heel. Anyone else have problems with that?

My Mom bought me a new pair of skinnies last week while visiting. I guess these can also be called jeggings as they have an elastic waist. They're very comfy, but like always, too long and too skinny. So, I figured I'll add some ankle zippers to ease getting them on and off.

What you will need:

1) 2x 10cm-long metal zippers

2) basic sewing equipment 

STEP 1

The first step when re-hemming jeans is always to measure how much you need to shorten them. I do this by putting the pants on, turning up the hem up to where I want it to be and pin one hem in place. One pin is all you need to add. You can measure the other leg and the rest of the hem from there.

So, take the pants off, and measure the amount needed to cut off. You do this by deducting the hem allowance (3cm) from the overall rolled-up hem.

Mark the cutting line and just cut it off.  

STEP 2 - ADDING THE ANKLE ZIPPERS

1) Mark the hem allowance, so you'll know where it ends. Place the zipper on the outer seam of the trouser-leg and mark the end of the zipper teeth onto the leg. Now, rip out that seam up to that point. This will create the opening for the zipper.

2) Place the zipper inside the trouser-leg, so that the beginning is aligned with the hem-line, and the end with the mark you made in the previous step. Then, place one side of the opening on the zipper, so that the edge aligns with the center of the zipper, and pin into place.

3) Repeat with the other side of the the opening.

4) Open up the zipper and and sew around the zipper on your sewing machine. Make sure to use you zipper foot to ease your sewing.

STEP 3 - HEMMING

Now, all that's left to do is re-hem the jeans.

5) I always press the hem into place before sewing. It's my top tip for getting pretty and even hems. Seriously guys, don't underestimate the power of a good press. So, fold 1.5cm once, and then again, 1.5cm.You can cut the ends of the zipper shorter before doing this to make the hem less bulky. I cut the zipper so it would meet with the first turn of the hem, so it would be just up to the second turning point.

6) This step is optional, but just in case, you can pin the hem in place. I've done so much hemming over the years that I usually just skip this part.

7) Sew the hem with your sewing machine. If you want your hem to be extra stretchy, you could use the lightning bolt stitch, but otherwise, a regular straight stitch should do the job.

Done and done! 

I really like how these turned out. They are so much easier to get into and out of. And, the zipper add some style to the otherwise pretty boring jeans. Mine have faux zippered pockets in the front, so the metal zippers really go well with the style of this pair.

Any other short-legged girls out there?  Hope this helps when you buy another pair of pants made for people with annoyingly long legs (#alwayswantwhatyoudonthave).

Just out of curiosity, though, anyone having trouble with their trousers always being too short?

Happy sewing!

xo. Hanna