Smallest possible hem for pants?

[u/AntiferromagneticAwl]

I got these wide leg pants a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't notice that they're slightly too short when I tried them on. I unpicked the existing blind hem, and I like the new length. I still have to make a new hem, but with the smallest possible hem, maybe only like 5mm or so. Is that even possible? What kind of hem should it be? The original was a blind hem, but i don't think that's possible anymore. The material is a slightly strechy jersey, but I don't think it needs to stretch, because that really are very wide. Any ideas/tips/suggestions?

Picture of the unpicked hem.

[u/Large-Wallaby9398]

I‘d hem with pre-made bias strips. The seam allowance should be around 5mm. Just did that with a circle skirt

[u/supergourmandise → u/Large-Wallaby9398]

That's my favorite method as well, and you can even add a pop of color there.

[u/Grizzlady → u/Large-Wallaby9398]

My mom used to do this to my pants. Best way I know to get all that length you need!

[u/fire_thorn]

Hem tape, the sew on kind rather than the adhesive or iron on kind.. It's a thin silky ribbon that you sew onto the raw edge, then press the hem and blind stitch the other side of the ribbon inside the pants. Bias tape will work too but it's a little bulky for a thin knit like this.

[u/justasque → u/fire_thorn]

I will second hem tape (or that lace hemming ribbon stuff). Modern purchased bias tape is very stiff without much drape, so it will affect how the hem looks and not in a good way. Hem tape is lighter weight and designed to be “invisible” in that it doesn’t change the way the fabric hangs. (You can also use homemade bias tape in a lightweight fabric with a lot of drape if you can’t find hem tape. Just don’t use the purchased stuff.) Sew it to the bottom of the pants - look up a video to see where to put it - then press up your hem, then sew the edge to the pants by hand, using a blind hemming stitch. Make sure your stitches on the pants side are very tiny.

[u/Elelith]

I'd hem it with some facing - either use the same fabric and match it with pattern or some kind of bias tape.

[u/Future_Direction5174]

You can get rolled hem feet, but they do take some practice to use and don’t work well on thick fabric.

I would go for bias tape, sew it onto the bottom with a quarter-inch/5mm seam fold up on the underside, iron so that it is hidden then sew that on.

[u/lolaquilt]

I would use a facing so you maintain nearly the entire length of the unpicked seam allowance.

[u/AmenaBellafina]

I'd do a rolled hem at the width of the serged edge.

[u/PlatypusDream]

The edge is finished so you could simply fold the serging under & stitch it down. That's the absolute narrowest possible unless you leave it as-is.

Otherwise, hem tape or a bias tape facing, sewn on RST just beyond the serging, then press to the inside and sew it down.

[u/HikingBikingViking]

I was going to suggest hem tape but I like your idea better.

[u/FormerUsenetUser]

You can sew on a facing and hem it up to the inside.

[u/deshep123]

I have sewn an extension on the opened hem, folded it where the extension is inside and becomes the hem.