You may have tried learning through YouTube or social media videos—but when you’re serious about mastering a craft, you quickly realize that online content can only take you so far.
Read More →
At Williamsburg Garment Company, we’ve spent years perfecting denim fit. Whether it’s hemming selvedge, tapering heavyweight raw denim, or completely re-engineering the shape of jeans, we’ve become the go-to name in denim alterations across the U.S. Recently, we’ve taken what we do best and combined it with something new—but long overdue: selling premium jeans from other top-tier brands directly through our platform and studio.
This is not your typical retail expansion. What sets WGC apart is that we’re not just a place to buy jeans—we’re the place to make them fit perfectly. No other denim retailer in the country offers this level of specialized tailoring in-house. Big-box stores might provide alterations, but their tailors aren’t trained in denim construction. While specialty denim shops may offer high-quality jeans, their tailors typically only perform basic chainstitch hemming and maybe repairs. Williamsburg Garment Company is something entirely different. We are a small denim factory. We sew jeans from scratch. We have the machines, the expertise, and a team led by a legendary designer who understands every part of a jean’s construction.
Now, customers can shop from a curated collection of hard-to-find brands and have them tailored by the most capable denim experts in the country—before the jeans ever leave our shop.
The first brand in our new lineup was TCB Jeans, a company out of Kojima, Japan that builds its reputation on craftsmanship, historical research, and dedication to the original spirit of American denim. TCB specializes in reproduction jeans—faithful recreations of denim from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, made with remarkable attention to period-correct details. That means everything from the fabric weave to the thread gauge, from the rivets to the paper patch, is chosen to match garments from the original era.
We were introduced to TCB by one of our team members, Amalia Nissan, who began working with us after returning from a sourcing trip to Japan. Already a fan of TCB’s 50s jeans—and a serious denim enthusiast—she took it upon herself to meet with factories, tour workshops, and build relationships with makers who live and breathe reproduction denim. TCB stood out from the rest—not just for their product, but for their clear dedication to denim that’s made to be worn hard and lived in.
That philosophy matches our own. We don’t believe in precious jeans meant to sit on a shelf. We believe in garments that are worn, faded, repaired, and reshaped over time. And we believe the right pair of jeans doesn’t just fit—it becomes part of your life.
By offering TCB Jeans at Williamsburg Garment Company, we’re creating a new experience for denim lovers. You no longer have to buy jeans from one shop and send them to another for proper alterations. Now you can buy and tailor in one place—with no compromises in craftsmanship, detail, or fit.
Shop or find out more about TCB Jeans →
TCB was the perfect brand to kick off our retail expansion—not just because of their product, but because of what they represent. Their commitment to historical accuracy, quality craftsmanship, and denim that’s meant to be truly worn mirrors everything we stand for at Williamsburg Garment Company. Like us, they believe jeans should be built with purpose, designed with care, and lived in fully. Starting with TCB set the tone for the kind of brands we’re proud to carry: those that value authenticity, make no compromises in construction, and understand that the best jeans are the ones that become part of your everyday life.
You might be interested in
The leg opening measurement is a critical factor in how your jeans fit over your shoes and shape your overall look. Whether you’re shopping online, comparing styles, or getting your jeans tapered, knowing how to measure the leg opening properly ensures accurate sizing and a better fit.
In this guide, we’ll break down the correct method for measuring the leg opening on jeans—just like we do in our professional denim alteration shop at Williamsburg Garment Company.
📏 What Is the Leg Opening on Jeans?
The leg opening is the width of the bottom hem of a pant leg. This measurement determines how fitted or wide the jeans will fall over your shoes. Slim, straight, bootcut, and wide-leg jeans all have different leg opening sizes, which impact the overall silhouette of the jeans.
🔥 Why Does It Matter?
✅ Helps compare different fits when buying jeans online
✅ Essential for tapering alterations to ensure a balanced look
✅ Impacts how jeans sit on top of shoes
🛠 Step-by-Step: How to Measure the Leg Opening on Jeans
Follow these simple steps to accurately measure the leg opening of your jeans.
1️⃣ Lay the Jeans Flat
- Place your jeans on a flat surface, like a table or the floor.
- Smooth out any wrinkles, but do not stretch the fabric.
🔽 See the diagram below for proper positioning:
[Insert drawing: Jeans laid flat with a focus on the hem area]
2️⃣ Align the Hem Evenly
- Make sure both layers of fabric at the bottom hem are lined up evenly.
- Some jeans, especially washed or worn pairs, may have twisting in the leg—try to align them as close to their natural shape as possible.
🔽 Illustration showing the hem properly aligned:
[Insert drawing: Close-up of the bottom hem, ensuring both sides are even]
3️⃣ Measure Across the Bottom Hem
- Use a soft measuring tape and place it edge to edge across the leg opening.
- Do not curve or wrap the tape—measure in a straight line.
- Write down this measurement.
🔽 Example of correct measuring technique:
[Insert drawing: Measuring tape laid straight across the hem from one edge to the other]
4️⃣ Double the Measurement
- Since jeans are measured flat, you’ll need to double the number to get the full leg opening circumference.
- Example: If your measurement is 8 inches, the total leg opening is 16 inches.
🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid
🔴 Not laying the jeans completely flat – Wrinkles and folds can throw off your measurement.
🔴 Measuring diagonally – Always measure straight across for accuracy.
🔴 Ignoring leg twisting – Some jeans may have a twist in the leg seam due to shrinkage or wash effects. Align them properly before measuring.
👖 How the Leg Opening Affects Fit
The leg opening measurement is key to understanding different jean styles:
- Slim Fit Jeans – Narrow leg opening (usually 12″–14″)
- Straight Fit Jeans – More room at the ankle (14″–16″)
- Bootcut Jeans – Slight flare to fit over boots (16″–18″)
- Wide-Leg Jeans – Loose fit with a larger leg opening (18″+)
📢 Thinking about tapering your jeans? If you want a smaller leg opening, professional tapering is the best way to achieve a clean, proportional fit. Check out our denim tapering service for expert alterations.
🎥 Watch the Video: Measuring the Leg Opening
For a full demonstration, watch our step-by-step video on how to measure the leg opening on jeans featuring Maurice Malone of Williamsburg Garment Company.
📌 Subscribe for more denim fit and alteration guides!
This blog post is now optimized for readability, SEO, and usability with step-by-step instructions and custom drawings to assist readers. I’ll generate the requested illustrations now. Stay tuned! 🎨📏
You might be interested in
Washing raw denim has long been a topic of debate. Some purists believe in waiting as long as possible, while others argue that washing enhances the fabric’s character. But knowing how to wash raw denim jeans properly can make all the difference in maintaining the integrity of the denim while preserving those hard-earned fades.
In their latest video, Benzak Denim Developers demonstrate their recommended method for washing raw denim for the first time, using a well-worn pair of BO2 Straight jeans made from their 10-year anniversary denim. They cover everything from prepping your jeans before the wash to selecting the right machine settings—ensuring your denim stays in top shape without unnecessary shrinkage or fading.
If you’ve ever wondered when to wash, why washing matters, or most importantly, how to wash raw denim jeans, this video lays it all out. Watch below to see how a year of wear transforms after a proper wash.
You might be interested in
Got a twisted leg on your jeans? If one leg seam always seems to drift to the front or back, you’re dealing with a classic issue called “leg twist.” It’s a common problem in denim, often caused by fabric shrinkage or improper sewing.
In our first video, I explain the two main reasons why jeans legs twist: poor sewing at the factory and uneven fabric shrinkage, or sometimes a mix of both.
In this video, I’ll show you exactly how we professionally fix a twisted leg on jeans, ensuring that they fit comfortably with seams that stay straight. Using expert techniques and specialized machinery, we rework the leg (tapering it) to correct the twist, making your jeans feel just right again.
Watch as I walk you through the step-by-step process of how to identify leg twist, why it happens, and what it takes to fix leg twist in jeans effectively.
Whether you’re curious about denim alterations, experiencing a twisted leg on your favorite jeans, or simply want to know how to get your jeans looking right, this video is for you!
You might be interested in
We have extensive experience hemming jeans and pants, as well as providing fittings to numerous customers. One of the things we often hear from those who request the same inseam without going through a fitting session is that they ordered the same inseam across their various jeans and pants, but some came out longer or shorter than others. Therefore, when a customer arrives with multiple jeans or pants and requests the same length throughout the styles, we explain why it could be a mistake.
The same inseam length can look different on various styles of jeans and pants. For instance, jeans or pants with identical waist measurements and inseam lengths but different rise measurements will fit differently. A pair with a 1-inch longer rise may result in a hem that falls 1 inch lower.
Similarly, the waist opening measurement affects where the jeans or pants sit on your body. Larger waist openings cause them to sit lower on your hips, making them appear longer even if the rise and inseam are the same.
Moreover, the labeled waist size doesn’t always match the actual waist measurement, and even the same size in the same brand can vary. While the same brand and style are more likely to fit the same, it’s not always guaranteed.
For those seeking consistency in the positioning of their jeans and pants, it is advisable to invest some extra time in separately fitting each pair. It would be a mistake to assume that the same length would yield the same results across styles. Therefore, always measure each pair individually for hemming.
You might be interested in
