Sewing Question

**AmyBoz** · 01-04-2003, 01:09 PM

Hi all! I'm not, by nature, a seamstress, however, I have a pair of jeans that I have been wearing since college that have finally bit the dust. The knees are completely worn through. I can't bear to part with them, though, so I would like to make them into shorts for the summer. You know the kind...a little above the knee with the ends rolled up, ala Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing? So, is this something I can do without a sewing machine? I'm not afraid to spend a bit of time on it, but I don't have a machine, so I'm wondering if it's possible to do by hand. Ladies?

**MJsLady** · 01-04-2003, 01:51 PM

Amy, I am not a seamstress either (YET!

)
But yes it is possible to do this I have done it myself. My trouble is getting the legs to match length wise.
I hope you have better luck with that than I do!

**Sherryh** · 01-04-2003, 11:29 PM

I always just cut mine off (both legs evenly

)... then when you wash them they fringe. Usually theres a few long strands you need to trim off. They get better with each washing.

**mrscornbread** · 01-04-2003, 11:33 PM

There is even some iron on seam tape you might be able to use. Look in the fabric store, just buy heavy duty for denim. If you do sew them by hand which you certainly could, use soemthing heavy like a couple strands of embroidery floss or strong cotton thread.

**frugalmel** · 01-04-2003, 11:33 PM

I have done it too. I had to keep cutting to get the legs even. MY tip...Measure from the waist down, draw a line and cut. do both legs that way.

then roll.

**Missy** · 01-19-2003, 06:08 PM

i agree with frugal mel, and another hint is that in some stores, even walmart i believe, you can even find a sewing thread that is specifically made strong for denim, and it isn't too thick either. It even matches denim so uneven hand sewing (if you are anything like me

) will be hidden by camoflauge! the smaller, closer spaced your stitches are, at least in my experience. the stronger your hand sewn hem will be. Also when in the sewing section take a look at the needle selection, they often have an inexpensive package that has some in ti made stronger for heavy weight fabrics like denim. Good luck.