decky

I have people asking me all the time to hem jeans/pants. I tell them that I don't even do my husbands pants, he has to send them out just like everyone else. They get the idea!!!

Pat in MN

Peckish

Hmmm, I'm sorry, after reading the other responses, I'm thinking maybe I misunderstood the original question. Were you asking for help with the hemming, or how not to take on such a chore next time?

Jingle

I no longer sew clothing. It is a chore to sew a button on.

ckcowl

no is really a simple, simple 2 letter word...for some reason so many people have such a hard time using it...it is better to simply say, 'no, i'm sorry- I really do not do (clothing sewing)' much better to simply decline than to deal with all the frustration, guilt when you are not able, hard feelings all around...honesty is a much better solution for everyone involved. even though I do try often to fulfill requests I also do not have a problem declining when it is something I either do not want to do, or truly do not have time to do. if you agree to do something that you really do not know how to do, or do not like doing before you know it everyone around wants you to do it for them too...better to leave that 'can of worms' closed.

toverly

I smile and laugh and tell them I don't even hem my own jeans. They get the point and I'm don't give a rude response. Last night I had a friend say she wanted to make a quilt, now that, I feel confident enough to help.

Prism99

Same here. I will give my husband's pants to Goodwill before I will hem them! I did do some jeans the easy way (posted earlier in this thread) several years ago. It really is easier to do them that way.

Nammie to 7

Peckish--Thank you for this link! I've heard of this method but have never seen how it was done. My husband needs his jeans hemmed and I've refused to do it. Next time he is gone for the day I'm going to try this on a pair and see if he notices anything different!

Mike's Girl -- I've been asked many times to do other peoples sewing and mending -- the answer is a firm NO. I then tell them that the local quilt shop has a list of people who will do alterations, etc. Hopefully you have those pesky jeans hemmed and out of your hair (or rather your sewing room)!

DOTTYMO

What to do is learn to say....NO.

quiltmom04

Yes, I do. Give them back and say" I'm sorry, but my machine just won't handle the thickness of this denim fabric. But 'so and so tailors' does alterations and they might be able to help you". You wouldn't ask someone to mow your yard just because they own a mower, so we don't need to feel we have to do the world's alterations just because we sew.

lbelle12

Mike'sgirl, I have hemmed jeans for several years the same way as Peckish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giOkJUcc2wg I have hemmed or my daughters, their husbands, grand children, but mostly for myself. Works great!

However, I have found that once a friend finds out, they ask me to hem their pants, too. I love sewing, but I hate mending or hemming. I have a hard time refusing, so when I am asked, I tell them I will try my best, but only if they sit with me while I do it. That way they see how time consuming it is and I get to visit with them. They ask less often.