Shortening Pants to Shorts/Mock Cuff Hem

This technique is a great way to make a pair of pants shorter into capris or shorts with just the right length.  These first two photos show pictures of pants converted into shorts with the mock cuff hem.  It is very easy to do.

First decide how wide you would like the finished cuff to be.  I chose 1 1/2".  Because of the lip on the top of the mock cuff, add another 3/4".  The total would be 2 1/4".  Mark on the pants where you would like the finished hem to be.  Then mark 2 1/4" below there and cut.  Then unpick the pant inseams for about five inches.  The hem will be finished before the inseams.  (Sorry there are no pictures for this part.)

Once the pants have been cut off, fold them up 1 1/2" and pin in place. 

Then fold them up once again another 1 1/2" and pin in place.

With pants inside out, stitch 1/4" - 3/8" away from bottom folded edge.  Stitch length is 3 - 3.5 mm.

Fold out the hem and press over a pressing ham.

To finish inseam, pin inseams together and pin, matching the bottom fold and the top of the mock cuff.

Sew inseam to hem bottom and backstitch.

Finish off raw edges with zigzag stitch or serger stitch. 

Press inseam towards back of pant.  Then topstitch inseam in place.

Enjoy your new shorts.

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