favors
 

I'm getting a bit aggravated. I was asked by a friend at church to hem several pairs of jeans. Well like most of you, I don't sew clothes, just quilts. I've made some curtains, as a matter of fact, that's what I was doing when he asked me. Hemming curtains for the youth room. Anyway, I said yes, much to my frustration now.
I'm about ready to give them back to him and tell him I just can't get it done. I'm having trouble getting them even and both legs the same. I want them to look nice and do an excellent job. I'm just not sure I'm skilled enough.
Does anyone have any advice or tips for me? I would so appreciate some. Thanks, Gina

There is a way of hemming jeans that leaves the original hem intact, and the new seam is practically invisible. You have to have a good, heavy-duty machine to do it though, because it has to sew through the side seams. This is how I've been hemming my family's jeans for the last few years.

A written tute I found: http://www.daciaray.com/?p=38

And here's a video tute, might be easier to follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giOkJUcc2wg

I use my serger.

learn to say no!
 

Gina, I've hemmed many a pair of jeans, I have three sons and three grandsons. I didn't worry about perfection. I just measured from the bottom of the leg , whatever I needed to shorten, marked and allowed for the double fold hem, and cut and sewed. I did buy a gold color jeans thread for the hemming. My thought was the jeans should have been hemmed by the manufacturer evenly, so I was following their measurements. Don't stress over it!! I've had too many favors asked of me over the years by friends who don't sew, and they think I should be glad to help. I learned early on not to say yes all the time .

maybe not perfect is the result this person needs to see.

We are in the middle of nowhere and the town seamstress charges $10.00 a pair to hem pants. Which is fair, you can't do them in 5 minutes after all.
No one can take advantage of you without your permission..I'm sorry I can't is a perfectly acceptable answer to that kind of request.

All sound advice given above, relax and do what you can do; obviously that is more than the person who asked you can do for themselves.

"Oh, dear, the last time I tried hemming pants they came out just TERRIBLE!!! you had better find someone else to ask!"

Makes it sound like you are being UNselfish in not doing it. I agree, jeans are awful to work on. I have to say, it is kind of nervy to ask you to do several pairs, without offering to pay for it.

Maybe he would prefer cut-offs.....

I like what PTQUILTS would say. That's a good one for next time! And I have a hard time saying no myself.

I hate hemming pants for the same reason. If I can't just "turn them up" without cutting first, forget it.

Why do people think because we make quilts, we do mending? I can't tell you how many time I have been asked to hem something or put in a new zipper etc. as soon as they find out I sew. I used to make clothing but not anymore, unless it's a CQ vest. I just very politely say No I don't have the time.