Shorten trousers frayed hem is a challenge for anyone doing clothing alterations.
I talked before about the Oscars and other shows where the people are dressed superbly, but the hems are too long. Trousers can fray at the bottom after half an hour of scraping on the ground. It may only be the back, but that is enough for them to look tatty after one wear. The problem with this is that usually trousers are JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO LONG. That means when they fray, you are left with no hem allowance if you cut at the fray. So your choice is a false hem, which isn't a bad thing, or you could try this little technique.
Iron the trousers so that the frayed section is sitting flat. Have the person try them on and pin at the correct length. Let’s say it is 1 cm (1/2”) above the fray. You need to calculate what the hem allowance will be. For ladies I do a 4 cm (1½”) hem allowance and for men I do a 5 cm (2”) hem allowance.
Turn the trousers inside out.
Place the tape measure on the original hem fold, with the tape at 1 cm (1/2”) at this point. Place a mark above the fold at the end of the tape measure, then come down to 1 cm (1/2”) BELOW the original hem fold and place a mark, then down another 4 cm (1½”) for ladies or 5 cm (2”) for men.
Cut on the bottom line. If the hem has to be unpicked, then unpick the hem first.
Check to see that the hem allowance will fit up into the trousers. If it doesn't then release at the side seams, or take in if the trousers are flared. All of this is explained in my book Clothing Alteration Secrets Revealed.
Fold the trousers at the ORIGINAL HEM and stitch around the bottom 1cm (½”) up from the original length. This means that the frayed section is encased in the stitching. Turn the trousers the right way, and under stitch around the base, joining the seam to the hem allowance. This ensures that the hem allowance and the seam will lay flat. Overlock the edge, or sew ribbon around the raw edge and stitch.
Shorten trousers frayed hem can be resolved by always getting the trousers taken up before wearing.
Happy sewing
Judith aka genie[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]