Tool of the Week: Hem your jeans yourself.

Some of you may find yourself, like me, purchasing jeans that are a bit too long. Most clothing is called ready to wear but that just signifies it is not custom, made-to-order. Truly there are few people who can go to the store pick any clothing out and have it fit perfectly. Fortunately, clothes can be tailored! If it is a complicated tailor, like taking in a constructed jacket, you may want to take it to your tailor, but if your jeans are simply a little long you may want to tailor these yourself. I have a few tips to make you hems perfect.
Try on your denim with the shoes you will wear with them most so you can get a good length.
Buy coordinating thread, typically denim gold is used but I have used red before and it looks like it was made that way.
Use the proper tools, I prefer the Jean-A-Ma-Jig by Dritz.
When I first saw this tool at my local sewing store, I wondered why I had never seen this before. When I first used it, I wondered how I ever lived with out it.
When you get close to the seam, stop, needle down, and lift your presser foot.

Slide the Jean-A-Ma-Jig under and then lower your presser foot.
Continue sewing and repeat at other seam.

No uneven stitches, no jamming up your needle on the seam, no wavy hem stitch line!

Just beautiful custom jeans.