How to Lengthen Pants That are Too Short (YouTube Tutorial)

Have you ever purchased a pair of new pants and then realized, after washing them, that they are too short? I’ve also accidentally purchased short pants instead of regular-length pants.

Today, I’m here to show you how to lengthen a pair of pants.  I was able to make the pants 1” longer.

This technique works best for pants with at least a 1-inch hem and extra fabric inside the seam allowance. Jeans have small seam allowances, so this method will not add much extra length to a pair of jeans.

Learn more about lengthening pants by watching our video through the link below or reading this article.

WHAT YOU NEED to Lengthen Pants

• Pants to be Lengthened
• Hem Tape, Lace Hem Tape, or Bias Tape (Purchase from Amazon or Joann)
• Sewing Machine
• Seam Ripper (Amazon or Joann)
• Standard sewing supplies: Thread, Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS to Lengthen pants

STEP 1: Review the Original Hem of the Pants

This method of lengthening pants will work for any pants with extra fabric in the hem.   The first thing to do is look at the hem of the pants.  If the hem is folded over twice, then there is extra fabric that will allow you to lengthen the pants.

Please take note that the pants I lengthened in the photo below have a couple of discoloration lines showing where the original hem was sewn and at the bottom of the original hem.  

I waited a long time before lengthening these pants and wore and washed them many times. So, the lines shown are permanent and won't go away for these pants.

Depending on the pant's fabric, you may end up with lines like these.

Before you decide to lengthen your pants, check the hem. If they were newly purchased, there may be fewer creases or discoloration lines. Look to see if the fabric looks more worn in that area. If a permanent line bothers you, don’t lengthen the pants.

These brown pants seem more worn along the bottom and will show a line when lengthened.

These black pants look less worn, so the line may not be as noticeable.

Look inside the hem of your pants to see if there is enough fabric to lengthen the pants.  These pants have a fold inside, so at least 1” of extra length is available.

How to lengthen Dress Pants?

Dress pants have a blind hem, so you cannot see the stitches. The process for lengthening them would be similar, except you would be sewing on hem tape and using a blind hem stitch. Refer to our other tutorial on shortening dress pants for information on how to sew a blind hem.

STEP 2: Open the hem

Use a seam ripper to remove the stitches from the existing hem on each pant leg.

Open the hem allowance and see how much extra length you can get.

Press open the folds in the hem with a hot iron. Check your fabric tag for ironing instructions so you don’t burn the fabric.

Below are the brown and black pairs of pants I am lengthening.  I can see that both pairs of pants will have lines where the old hem was sewn and at the bottom of the original hem length.

I prefer that my pants be longer, so I will lengthen them.

STEP 2: Pin on Hem Tape

To create the new hem, we need to add something to the bottom of the pants. We can use hem tape, lace tape, or even bias tape (center crease ironed open).

I will use the lace hem tape on my pants.  Lay the tape along the bottom edge of the pant leg on the outside, overlapping by about ¼”.  Pin in place.

After pinning all around, overlap the two ends by about 1 inch.

Fold under the end of the end about 1/2" so the raw edges will be on the inside of the hem.

Pin the folded-over tape in place, overlapping the beginning of the tape.

How to use Bias Tape

Single or double-fold bias tape can be used for the new hem.  

Single-fold bias tape is a long fabric with two sides folded toward the center.

Double-fold bias tape is folded the same as single fold but then folded in half again.  

Single- and double-fold bias tape comes in many colors and widths.

Single-fold Bias Tape: To use single-fold bias tape for this project, iron open one fold of the tape.

Then, pin the raw edge along the bottom edge of the leg on the right side of the pants (fold facing towards you).  To join and finish where the ends meet, fold under the end of the bias tape as described above.  

Double Fold Bias Tape: Using double-fold bias tape is similar to using single-fold tape. Iron the center crease and the fold on one side of the tape. 

Pin the tape to the bottom of the pant leg, with right sides together and raw edges even.  Where the ends of the tape come together, fold under the raw edge as described above.

STEP 3: Sew on Hem or Bias Tape

Sew the hem or bias tape to the bottom edge of the pant leg with a straight stitch and thread matching the pants fabric.

Place the pant leg around the sewing machine free-arm to make sewing easier.

The hem or bias tape is attached to the pant leg.

STEP 4: Iron new hem

Iron the new hem by pressing the hem to the wrong side about 1/4" past the hem or bias tape.

The photo below shows the new hem with the hem tape on the inside, and the new hem pressed about 1/4" from the edge of the lace hem tape.

A newly pressed hem is shown from the outside.

Pin the new hem in place.

STEP 5: Sew new hem

Sew a new hem along the top edge of the hem or bias tape.  Make sure your thread and bobbin match the pant's fabric color.

The hem is finished, and I will enjoy my pants' 1" longer length.

Below is a photo of the brown pair with one leg lengthened.

The photo below shows the pants hanging with one leg lengthened. 

Here are some other mending tutorials you may be interested in:

• Replace an Elastic Waistband
• Make a Fitted Sheet from a Flat Sheet
• Rehem Dress Pants
• Fix Holes in Pants