So winter is long… and kids grow fast! I really don’t want to by new pants in February.. Spring is just around the corner. So, I’m adding a little length to my sons pants so he can keep wearing them! They fit great, but are just too short. Today I’m going to give a quick tutorial for lengthening pants by adding a cuff. You can do this even if you didn’t originally make the pants. I did make these pants, back in the fall for Project Run and Play. You can see the Sewing for Boy post here.
You will need about 1/4 yard of fabric, either the same as the pants or something that looks cute with them. A cotton print cuff would look cute on jeans, etc. Cut the fabric TWICE as tall as the length you want to add and the same length as around the bottom of the pants. I just have one strip of fabric, with a fold on the right, so only one side seam will be needed. {cut TWO!}
Now sew the short side of your cuff to form a circle. Then hem one side by turning under 1/4 inch, sew, then turn until 1/2 inch and sew again. repeat with other cuff.
Now take your cuff and pin it with the right side of the hem facing out. So you have right side of pants touching wrong side of cuff.
After you sew around the bottom, open up the cuff and it should look like this. {opps and I see I didn’t even do a double hem}
Fold up the cuff {with the fold in the middle} You new hem should be just over the old pants hem.
Pin and sew a little tacking stitch on the side seams to keep the cuff in place.
Here are the pants with one cuff done…. see the extra length! I didn’t even take out the old hem, so this was truly a QUICK fix!
and one happy customer!! Success!
and there you have it! A simple way to get a little more life out of pants that are too short. I want to try this with fabric that is different from the pants, I think it would look super cute on jeans! Here are a couple of other posts that help you to fit clothes for kids:
Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com says
You are just so clever, all around! My mom used to do this !!! Great ideas never go out of style!
Emily says
awww thanks! I was happy to see party back in action. Glad you made your move okay… a new country wow! Keep up the good work.
Inspire Me Heather says
Oh, they do grow SO fast! Cute pants and your “customer” is even cuter!
Emily says
he is cute, isn’t he! ;o) Its hard to only get one size of clothes per season when they grow so quick!
Danita @O Taste And See says
Great idea for fast growing children! It looks so easy I think even I (an non-sewer) could do it. Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend
Emily says
Yes, if you can sew a straight line you could do this!
Christine @ idigpinterest.com says
What a fantastic idea! It gets expensive replacing pants with how fast kids grow and wear through them. Love this!
Emily says
I know.. I just want to make it through the season without spending more money!
angela says
so so cute! these kiddos grow so fast, love this idea!
Mary @ Tips & Treasures says
Stopping by from the You’re Gonna Love it Tuesday linky 🙂 I LOVE this idea! I love it so much that I’m actually cringing at the thought of how many pairs of my two kiddos’ pants that I could have saved by doing this. Now I’m off on a hunt to find short pants to try this out. I’m totally not a sewer, but I’m sure I can wing it have it come out somewhat decent, haha. Thanks for the inspiration!
DesignedByBH says
I really am going to learn how to use my sewing machine (sooner than later?!?) and I’ll be re-reading everything on your blog!!! Pinning for later!
– Brooke –
Emily says
ha! I love sewing!
Pam @Threading My Way says
Great way to extend the life of pants, Emily!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Great tutorial, and a great idea too! Stopping by to pin this and let you know I featured it on my blog today!
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Kristina & Millie says
brilliant!! what a great idea and perfect tute! easy to follow and gives confidence that even a beginner sewer can do this 🙂
Emily says
thanks!! I love tips and tricks that make life easier!