Denim, or jeans, is a strong fabric made of a blend of cotton and polyester, which makes for a fabric that is robust and long-lasting.
Sewing denim requires a specific skill set and certain tools. With the right type of needle and thread, you can easily hand-sew or machine-sew your pair of jeans.
Using some tips and techniques, it is possible to sew denim at home and with a sewing machine. Lighter denim fabrics are easy to sew while heavy denim is challenging to work on.
Features of Denim Fabric
Like all other fabrics, denim has properties that are exclusive to them. Some of the variants include colored denim, vintage denim, marble denim, and reverse denim.
While sewing, these properties determine the ease of work. These properties are enlisted below.
- Denim fabric is extremely strong and long-lasting. They promise longevity which makes them last for days. This is the primary reason behind denim being extensively used all over the world.
- The fabric folds easily and is mostly stretchable. This lets people wear their pair of denim regularly without much of a hassle. Being well suited to movement, there is more scope for a broader range of actions.
- Denim fabric is mostly resistant to wear and tear. Being thick and rigid, the fabric does not tear easily. Even if the fabric fades, the organic dyes do not allow the pair of jeans to look worn out.
Jeans Hemming Techniques
Alterations of any kind require hemming as the most basic form of stitch work. The project may be of any level of complexity, but hemming stands a constant for all types of clothing.
Hemming jeans is one of the most challenging jobs that will come your way sooner or later. Be it using a machine, or by hand-held techniques, there are a few specific problems that you might encounter.
You need to be aware of a few techniques that pertain to hemming jeans. Regardless of the amount of hemming you need to do, be sure to opt for a well-suited needle and thread that works perfectly for your project.
There are two broad techniques of hem jeans:
- One of the methods utilizes the method of removal of the original hem. In this method, you need to remove the original hem, refold it and put new stitches above the original line.
- The second method employs keeping the original hem in place. The original fabric is shortened while the original hem is kept intact.
The difference between both the techniques is that the first hem loses the manufactured distressed look while the latter preserves it.
What Kind of Thread Is Best Suited For Hemming Jeans?
Considering denim are sturdy fabrics, they require heavy-duty threads and needles. If you use threads that are thin and light in weight, they stand a chance to tear easily.
For hemming denim, you can use topstitching threads. Alternatively, you can also make use of double strands of threads together. Using two spools of tight thread allows more strength to the hemming thread.
Since denim comes in various hues and shades, make sure to test which color of thread goes with which material.
You can test this on a scrap piece of denim fabric to know what shade of thread looks the best on which denim.
Best Thread For Hemming Jeans
Listed below are some of the top-quality threads best suited for applying hems on jeans. Since different brands manufacture various degrees and grades of threads, being aware of the characteristics of threads is essential to know what goes well with your project best.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Coats and Clark Dual Duty Plus Denim Thread | Lightweight, cotton/polyester blend, 125 yards |
| 2. | Singer Blue Jean Thread | 100 yards, golden color, sturdy, washable |
| 3. | Gutermann Jeans Thread Set | 100m, 6 spools, wide color range |
1. Coats and Clark Dual Duty Plus Denim Thread
This thread, and the Singer thread below, are the absolute best denim threads you can get.
Coats and Clark Dual Duty Thread for denim make for an ideal fit for hemming a pair of jeans. It is a multi-purpose lightweight thread that is a blend of cotton and polyester.
Coats and Clark allow the option of buying this product by yards or by a pack of two. In one pack, it packs 125 yards of denim thread.
It comes in a color that blends well with the fabric of denim. This makes it perfect for not only hemming but also mending holes and damages in cloth material.
2. Singer Blue Jean Thread
Manufactured by Singer, this particular denim thread comes in a shade of old gold. This makes it work on denim clothing that requires a thread of contrasting color.
Packed in with 100 yards of this efficient sewing material, Singer ensures that the color of this denim thread does not run by any means.
It is washable, which implies that it can tolerate detergent soaps, synthetic soaps, and machine washes.
Being produced by one of the stalwarts in the sewing industry, this denim thread is made sturdy enough to hold stitches in place with utmost efficiency.
Use this thread for both hand-held projects and machine-sewn projects.
3. Gutermann Jeans Thread Set
One of the most reasonably priced products in this category, Gutermann Jeans Thread is the perfect sewing tool to hem your pair of jeans.
This pack is a great option if you’re not sure what color thread will match your jeans or if you want to have thread left over for repairing several pairs.
Trust this denim thread to make your project infinitely easier, faster, and better. Gutermann produces this particular object with 100m per spool.
This is not a blend of cotton and polyester but is 100% polyester. This denim thread is tangle-free and knot-free as well.
The quality is worth every penny, and the sturdy nature of this thread makes sure that it holds every stitch together to the last bit.
Related Questions
Are there a few tips and tricks to sew or hem denim?
Considering the difficulty of this particular sewing project, there are a few tips and tricks to make your work relatively easy apart from selecting suitable threads. The tips are given below.
- Use a pair of scissors with sharp edges.
- Make use of the right needles.
- Employ well-suited threads.
- Try and use a leveling foot.
- Make sure to take the project slow.
What needles should you use for hemming a pair of jeans?
Sewing jeans require special sewing needles. A universal needle of size 90/14 works well with all denim. However, for a thicker variant of denim, a needle of size 100/16 is perfect. The idea is to look for needles that suit your fabric best.
Considering denim fabrics are of thickness 90, needles of sizes 70/11 or 80/12 works like magic.
Is it necessary to wash the material beforehand to make working on it easier?
Being made out of cotton fibers, it is natural that the fabric may run color or shrink in size as well. Thus, it is logical to wash it before working on it as it reduces the chances of making uneven stitches.
To reduce problems while working, make sure to wash it so that the material softens and allow easy penetration of needles through it.
Use The Right Thread
Working on denim fabric is one of the most difficult jobs in the field of stitching. It is best oriented with machine-sewn projects. However, for hand-sewn projects, appropriate gear exists.
Make sure to purchase the recommended products to simplify your project significantly. It is necessary to know the qualities of denim threads to judge what goes with their material of jeans the best.
Pick a denim thread according to its properties and color. A colored spool of denim thread makes the stitch work stand out. Contrast-colored threads make for an excellent addition to your everyday pair of jeans.
If you want to go all out, consider adding embroidery or patches to your jeans!
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