Sewing denim by hand is a fun and rewarding hobby, especially if you prefer a more durable and custom-fit look. However, it can be time-consuming and may be best reserved for small projects. Topstitching thread is a suitable thread for sewing denim, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute two spools of regular sewing machine string and a needle for it.
Haley Glenn offers tips and tricks for sewing professional denim garments, including choosing the right sewing machine needles. This guide covers various techniques for sewing denim, including creating custom-fit jeans, jackets, bags, and more. However, it is important to note that sewing denim by hand can be difficult due to its thick and sturdy nature.
Keruk Jeans sews their jeans entirely by hand, demonstrating that it is possible to sew denim by hand. If you don’t have access to a sewing machine, you can hem by hand, but it may take more time. To begin, mark one leg of your jeans with a fabric marker or use a safety pin to fold it up to the correct length.
In summary, sewing denim by hand is a fun and rewarding hobby, but it requires patience, thread, and a heavy-duty needle. This guide provides essential information and tricks for working with denim, including how to sew small tears closed or patch larger holes.
📹 20 Best Tips For Sewing Denim
This video offers 20 tips for sewing denim, covering everything from fabric preparation to finishing techniques. The presenter, April, demonstrates how to use the right tools and techniques to achieve professional-looking results, including how to handle bulky seams and prevent fraying.
How to sew jeans without a sewing machine?
This tutorial teaches how to hem jeans without sewing, using a simple method that can be done in under 10 minutes. The process involves trying on the jeans with your favorite shoes, folding the hems, getting close to the original stitch line, flipping the bottom hem inside out, securing with safety pins, and ironing. This method is ideal for those who prefer a raw edge hem and don’t want to permanently shorten their jeans. The cost of altering jeans with an original hem can be high, but it’s worth it for jeans you love and wear often.
This method is also suitable for temporary fixes, such as wearing cropped jeans with sneakers. If you know how to sew, you can also hem jeans using this method, stitching along the same line instead of using safety pins in Step 5.
Can a regular sewing machine sew denim?
Yes, it is possible to sew denim on a regular sewing machine, provided you use regular dress weight denim and avoid sewing multiple layers at once. However, a sturdy and expensive machine is necessary for proper sewing. A heavy-duty machine is essential for sewing thick denim layers, such as the hem of jeans at the seam.
When sewing with denim, it is important to understand your sewing machine and adjust the needle to the one used for thicket fabric. A walking foot or feed foot can also be helpful for home sewing. It is essential to change the needle to the one used for thicket fabric to ensure the best results.
In addition to these tips, consider adding accessories like a walking foot or feed foot to enhance the home sewing experience. By understanding and using the right sewing machine, you can create a successful and comfortable sewing experience with denim fabric.
Can sewing machines handle denim?
The sewing of denim presents a significant challenge due to the fabric’s thickness and bulk. Consequently, an industrial sewing machine is the optimal choice for this task. Domestic sewing machines may not be optimal for denim sewing due to their inherent limitations. However, they do require a greater degree of patience. In the context of large-scale production of denim or sale of denim-made items, the use of an industrial sewing machine is strongly recommended.
What is the hardest fabric to sew?
Working with leather, sheer fabrics, and knits can be challenging due to their unique properties and the need for a specific material for each project. While leather is not a fabric, it can be difficult to work with due to its rough texture and the “wrong side” of many others. To avoid this, use a “walking foot” with a second set of feed dogs to drive the top layer through the machine at the same rate as the lower layer.
Another option is a Teflon-coated foot, which will slide easily over the leather’s rough surface. In case you lack either a walking or Teflon foot, place a piece of cellophane tape over the bottom of the presser foot, so the non-stick surface of the tape is against the leather.
In summary, sewing is a complex process that requires careful consideration of the chosen material, the right tools, and a willingness to learn and adapt to new techniques. By following these tips and implementing the right techniques, you can conquer even the most challenging materials in no time.
Do you need a special sewing machine needle for denim?
In order to sew denim and thicker fabrics, it is recommended to use a needle specifically designed for denim, with a size 90/14 for standard needles and 100/16 for thicker denim. In the case of chambray or Tencel denim, an 80/12 universal needle is recommended.
How do you fix jeans without sewing?
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Can you hand sew denim?
In order to sew denim without the use of a sewing machine, it is necessary to employ a needle of sufficient sharpness and size, such as a Chenille needle size 20, in conjunction with a thread of sufficient strength, such as buttonhole thread.
How to mend jeans by hand?
To sew a hole in jeans, use fabric scissors to trim excess thread or frayed edges, thread a heavy-duty needle with all-purpose polyester thread, and tie a knot. Turn the garment inside-out, insert the needle below the hole, weave vertical straight stitches across the hole, and tie off the thread inside the jeans. Trim excess thread around the hole edges to make sewing easier and reduce seam visibility. Use all-purpose polyester thread matching the denim color, slip it through the needle’s eye, cut ends, and tie a knot for secure.
Do I need a special needle to sew denim?
In order to sew denim and thicker fabrics, it is recommended to use a needle specifically designed for denim, with a size 90/14 for standard needles and 100/16 for thicker denim. In the case of chambray or Tencel denim, an 80/12 universal needle is recommended.
Is denim difficult to sew?
Jeans are made with a flat fell seam, which is strong and hardwearing. However, it is difficult to achieve with denim and a domestic sewing machine. To create a regular seam, press it to one side and finish with a double row of top stitching. To start, fold a small piece of denim into a rectangle and wedge it under the presser foot at the beginning and end of seams. Gently walk the needle over thick seams by hand.
Do you need a different sewing machine for denim?
While a heavy-duty machine is not a necessity for general repairs, it may be a valuable asset for tasks such as making jeans or sewing multiple layers of fabric.
📹 HAND SEWING a Jeans Hem – Keeping the Original Hem!
This video demonstrates how to shorten jeans by hand, preserving the original hem. The tutorial uses simple tools and techniques, including back stitching and a hidden stitch to secure the hem. The video emphasizes the ease and effectiveness of this method, even for those without a sewing machine.
I have a article request – since we are going into the holiday season, I would love to see you do an alteration on sequin or beaded material. How do you secure it so it doesn’t all unravel when you cut? What do you do when you take it to the machine so it doesn’t break the needle or get stuck in the feed dogs? How do you manage the bulk in a hem or seam? Beads and sequins are so intimidating that so far I haven’t tried.
mind blown with those stitches on the outside of the jeans!! do you have problems with leaving the hem on the inside that long? I find that when I leave them longer like that it eventually makes a crease on the outside of the jeans around where the hem falls on the inside. I love the technique though! I’m going to show this article to my high school sewing class
One time I had jeans I wanted to wear the next day. They didn’t have a hem – just a “torn” edge look at the bottom. So I just folded it once inside, and used a catch stitch by hand. I meant it to be a temporary solution, but it’s 2 years later and I’m still wearing them. I think something about having the tiny stitches on the outside looks kinda like a couture top stitch, so it actually looks pretty nice I think.
I don’t know! 😔😒 I just don’t get it. How to do the measurements. I marked the bottom of where the jeans need to fall. It needs shortening by 2 1/2 inches. But you lost me when you talked about dividing. Maybe it was because you didn’t explain why you were doing it. So I couldn’t get & and it’s really frustrating because I have a pair of jeans that I want to wear later today. I’m going to watch your article a few more times. Maybe hopefully I’ll get it before long 😌 🤪 🙂
It really looks great !! I have a question, though, sometimes the length of the trousers are 6 inches longer, how do you reduce 6 inches without cutting that excess length. In your demo’ you only sorted about 1.5 or 1 inch extra length, but how about really realy longer excess length like 6 inches or more !!!!!!!?????? Please, show us how to stitch longer length.