Sewing Tip | Creating a Frayed Hem on Jeans
Want to create a frayed hem on your jeans? It's super easy and a few simple steps will keep it from fraying too much. Whether you're adding a frayed hem to existing jeans or creating one on a handmade pair like the Isle Jeans, here's how to make it happen.
GATHERING SUPPLIES
To begin, you’ll need a few supplies:
- Sewing Machine
- A Pair of Jeans
- Marking Chalk or Pencil
- Scissors
- Coordinating Thread
DECIDE ON THE LENGTH OF YOUR JEANS
To start, decide on the length of your jeans
- Using a ruler and chalk or pencil, mark where you want the end of your jeans.
- Cut off the existing hem.
BEGIN FRAYING JEANS
To begin to fray the jeans rub the hems against each other to loosen the fabric. If you want more fraying, cut ¼”-⅜” snips diagonally in the fabric, about every inch, following the weave of the denim.
SEW TO STOP EXCESS FRAYING
Sew a line of stitches ¼”-½” from the raw edge of the jeans. This will stop the fabric from fraying past that point.
WAYS TO ADD MORE FRAYING
- Use a seam ripper to pull out threads.
- Machine wash and dry the jeans for an all-over thicker frayed edge.
Trim white strings as needed. That’s it! For more sewing help, click here to check out all our Sewing Tips, or find our entire library of apparel sewing patterns here.
