How to Lengthen Pants That Are Too Short
If you have a pair of pants that are too short especially when it comes to kids, you can have them lengthened to the perfect length with an extension piece to make them longer. Learn how to Lengthen Pants with a cuff right here.
I’m all about reusing, recycling, and of course why not refashioning? Recently I published a post I shared How to Make a Cute Skirt out of Old Jeans and it turned out so cute that I had to try it again in some other way.
Revamping Kids’ Pants is the best and simplest way to extend kids pants’ lifeway when they run short or get old.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
As Kids grow up, pants start to run short. I revamped my girl’s pants and it turned out so cute. I saved them and gave them a second chance.
Table of Contents
DIY Lengthen Pants to Extend Their Life
Revamping kid’s pants is super easy, have you noticed how much I love easy crafts??? LOL. Well, I do love easy projects, and I love to see final results quickly LOL
I also love having time to do other things! This took a couple of hours even to take pictures. Then as it is my tradition, we had lots of fun in the outdoor photo session. I used for this a very special pair of pants {sentimental meaning} with an easy trick that also ends up revamping it.
How to Lengthen Pants That Are Too Short
Some pants are easier to revamp than others. When you don’t have enough hem to let down, you can lengthen your pants by adding a fabric cuff to the bottom.
Dig through your fabric stash for a piece of fabric, ruffle or lace that you can sew onto the bottom of each leg to create a cuff: This is a fun and stylish option and can work for jeans or for dress pants.
Supplies:
- Pants
- A cute fabric of your choice
- Matching thread
- Fabric marker, pencil or chalk.
Tools:
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Pins
Instructions:
Before we begin, be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and also sign up for our email list (at the end of this post), so you’ll never miss a post!
I found a fabric with details in light violet, which was perfect because the pants have those cute flowers in violet too. So it was a perfect match. Yayyy!
The Pants’ Cuff
1. The first thing is to measure the length of the cuff.
2. Put the pant on your girl and measure how much more length you need to add to the bottom of the pant leg.
3. If for example, you need 1,5 inches you add 1 more inch and then double it.
4. So it would be 1,5 + 1 = 2,5 x 2 = 5 inches.
5. Then measure the width of the pant leg at the hem level.
6. Double that measurement and add ½ inch seam allowance on each end.
7. With wrong sides together, fold each cuff along its width, bringing long edges together. Press, then open up again.
8. For the bottom fabric, Turn the long sides under ½ inch and then iron it.
9. Fold each of the cuff pieces in half along the length, bringing short edges and right sides together. Sew along the short edges with a 1 cm (1/2″) seam allowance to form 2 tubes. Press seams open.
10. Iron the seam allowance open like this.
11. Fold again putting together the hems like in the image below.
12. Now find the seam between the legs of your pants and match it with the extension seam, place the hem of the pants between both layers of the new fabric extension.
13. Pin in place.
14. The pant’s hem will be sandwiched between both sides of the fabric.
15. Turning the pants to the wrong side, fold the pants cuff up along the pressed fold. Pin in place, ensuring that the folded edge of the cuff extends about 0.5 cm (1/4″) past the seam joining the cuff to the pants. Then iron it.
16. From the right side of the pants, ‘stitch in the ditch’ of the join between the cuff and the pants, making sure that you catch the inner edge of the cuff in the underside of your stitches.
17. Fold the extension so it would hide the seam.
Cute Matching Pockets
1. Then cut a rectangle for the pocket.
2. The measurement will depend on the area of your pants.
3. Leave 1 inch on each side as seam allowance.
4. Fold ½ inch wrong side together, then iron it, fold again another ½ inch to enclose the raw edge, and iron it again.
5. Stitch one short side as the opening of the pocket and pin it in place.
There you have it! A new pair of pants!
I love how it turned out and my girl loves it too!
Now you have a pair of pants that will last a few more months… hopefully???
Crafting Tips
This technique is also a really nice way to add some interest or accent to a pair of plain pants. Even if the pants don’t need to be lengthened, sew exactly as above and turn up the cuffs so that when your child grows you can simply fold them down for extra length.
If the pants you are lengthening are jeans, you can use a different shade of denim fabric to make the cuffs.
You can make the cuff with cute ruffles instead of this technique. Or even creating different layerings of fabrics to create some crazy effect.
Revamping Kids Pants to Extend their life!
What do you think? Have you extended the life of your kids??? How did you do it???
Frequently Asked Questions
When your pants don’t have enough hem to let down, you can lengthen them by adding a fabric cuff. Use a piece of fabric, a ruffle, or some lace to create a cuff on the bottom of your jeans or your dress pants to add a stylish touch.
If your jeans or pants are a little too short, cuff them and no one will ever know. Roll your pants’ hem up and use them as Capri. Or cut them a little below your knee and turn them into Capris.
You can follow the same instructions but using fusible tape – Double-sided iron-on fabric adhesive. If what you need to lengthen isn’t too much, you can just use a seam ripper to rip out the hem of each pant cuff then iron it well and leave the edges raw.
More Easy Crafts for Kids to Try
If you like this cute refashion by Lengthen Pants, you might also like these other easy crafts for kids too {click on the images}
✂️ Tutorial
How to Lengthen Pants That Are Too Short
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- scissors
- Ruler
- Pins
Supplies
- Pants
- A cute fabric of your choice
- Matching thread
- Fabric marker/pencil
Instructions
THE PANTS’ CUFF
- The first thing is to measure the length of the cuff.
- Put the pant on your girl and measure how much more length you need to add to the bottom of the pant leg.
- If for example, you need 1,5 inches you add 1 more inch and then double it.
- So it would be 1,5 + 1 = 2,5 x 2 = 5 inches.
- Then measure the width of the pant leg at the hem level.
- Double that measurement and add ½ inch seam allowance on each end.
- With wrong sides together, fold each cuff along its width, bringing long edges together. Press, then open up again.
- For the bottom fabric, Turn the long sides under ½ inch and then iron it.
- Fold each of the cuff pieces in half along the length, bringing short edges and right sides together. Sew along the short edges with a 1 cm (1/2″) seam allowance to form 2 tubes. Press seams open.
- Iron the seam allowance open like this.
- Fold again putting together the hems like in the image below.
- Now find the seam between the legs of your pants and match it with the extension seam, place the hem of the pants between both layers of the new fabric extension.
- Pin in place.
- The pant’s hem will be sandwiched between both sides of the fabric.
- Turning the pants to the wrong side, fold the pants cuff up along the pressed fold. Pin in place, ensuring that the folded edge of the cuff extends about 0.5 cm (1/4″) past the seam joining the cuff to the pants. Then iron it.
- From the right side of the pants, ‘stitch in the ditch’ of the join between the cuff and the pants, making sure that you catch the inner edge of the cuff in the underside of your stitches.
- Fold the extension so it would hide the seam.
CUTE MATCHING POCKETS
- Then cut a rectangle for the pocket.
- The measurement will depend on the area of your pants.
- Leave 1 inch on each side as seam allowance.
- Fold ½ inch wrong side together, then iron it, fold again another ½ inch to enclose the raw edge, and iron it again.
- Stitch one short side as the opening of the pocket and pin it in place.
- There you have it! A new pair of pants! I love how it turned out and my girl loves it too!
Other cute clothing refashion ideas from my favorite bloggers
- DIY Upcycled T-Shirt Dress by Infarrantly Creative.
- Girl Dress Upcycled From Men’s Shirt by All Day Chic.
Share and PIN ME!
Til’ next time…
FREE WORKBOOK
Keeping your Sweet Home Organized
Learn how to create intentional habits and simple routines to Keep Your Home Organized. Plus freebies, printables, exclusive content, and tips.
Disclaimer: By clicking on the “Yes” button above you are giving me your consent to collect and use your information according to the law and My Policy Privacy. Zero Spam I promise!