Darts are the perfect solution when you need to lose length from the back leg of your jeans, but none from the front. Fast, simple and hardly visible! And no cutting needed. So... If I ever wanted to open the darts up again to add length, it is possible!
I use only one dart (sewn to hem) if I need to finetune the length about 1/2 inches (3cm) from the heel, but leave the front un-touched.
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I needed to shorten these jeans only from the back leg, because the front was perfect. Also these pants had a beautiful worn detail in the heel, so normal cutting did not seem like a good idea. I decided to shorten these with DARTS.
I measured that 1 1/2 inches (8cm) had to be lost. I decided that I would take 1/2 inch (3cm) from the heel and 1 inch (5cm) from the knee.
This is the back leg, knee hight. First I drew a "folding line" and then two more lines 1/2 inches on both sides. I use a ballpoint pen to do my markings, because it stas on well and comes off in wash.
Now fold the leg and pin together.
I find it easier to start sewing from the middle towards the sideseams. Sew twice with regular sewing thread to make the seam last better.
You must curve the seam when closing the sideseams.
Fold the sideseam allowances out of your way when you sew so you are able to stitch all the way to the sideseam.
When the darts are done, try the jeans on to see if the length is correct. If they are, fold the dart allowances upwards and stitch fro top to make the seam fit better. DO NOT CUT ANY ALOWANCES AWAY.
Your knee-dart should look like this. I usually sew twotop-stitches to make the allowances stay in place better.
Now repeat the same with the heel-darts.
For the heel-dart only one top-stitching is needed because the allowances are not wide. Always fold the allowances upwards.
I sewed the heel darts about 2 inches from the hem, because I did not want to mess up the heel abrasions.
Finished! The leg will curve to the back but it will look surprisingly straight when the jeans are worn. Isn´t it amazing where 1 1/2 inches (8cm) on extra-length just disappheared! And no cutting needed. So... If I ever wanted to open the darts up again to add length, it is possible!
I use only one dart (sewn to hem) if I need to shorten the denim 1/2 inches (3cm) from the back, but leave the front un-touched.
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Krissi
29 Apr 22:36
Great idea! I'm always stepping on about .25" of my hem!
cinderelly
30 Apr 06:23
this is too cool...i like to wear high heels and like my pants long, but the hem in back always seem to wear out. this might help!
Cat Morley
22 Jun 14:05
This is such an awesome and helpful how-to, thank you!
athenamat
19 Jul 20:07
I'd like to see these pants worn because I have a hard time invisioning how these would look on. Neat idea though!
OutsaPop Trashion
21 Jul 05:58
Athenamat, these pants actually look surprisingly "straigt" when worn. The hem dart is hardly visible (leg looks straight). The knee dart curves the leg slightly but not no much that it would make the jeans funnylooking.
Chuckee D.
21 Sep 02:49
Dude... Great idea...
My pants always come too short, but most of my friends have to roll theirs up, which drives me nuts! So maybe I'll see if I can talk them into letting me try this out on their pants...