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
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When it comes to buying jeans—especially online—getting the right inseam measurement is crucial for a proper fit. Whether you’re checking your size before ordering, comparing different brands, or preparing for hemming, measuring the inseam correctly ensures you won’t end up with jeans that are too short or too long.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to measure the inseam on jeans the right way, just like the professionals. Plus, watch our quick video tutorial featuring Williamsburg Garment Company’s own Maurice Malone, who walks you through the process step by step.
What Is the Inseam on Jeans?The inseam is the measurement from the crotch seam (where the inner thigh seams meet) down to the hem of the pant leg. It determines the length of your jeans and is one of the most important sizing details when shopping for denim.
Step-by-Step: How to Measure the Inseam on JeansFollow these steps to measure your inseam accurately:
Lay the Jeans Flat
Start at the Center of the Crotch Seam
Follow the Natural Shape of the Leg
Measure to the Hem
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Measuring in a straight line – The inseam follows the natural curve of the leg, so don’t measure at an angle or cut across the fabric.
Starting at the wrong point – Always measure from the center of the crotch seam, between the stitch lines, not from the seam line or a random point along the leg.
Ignoring fabric twist – Some jeans, especially washed or vintage styles, may have a slight twist. Follow the intended seam line, not any twisting caused by wear.
Why Accurate Inseam Measurements MatterIf your jeans are too long or too short, it affects both comfort and style. Knowing your inseam helps when:
Buying jeans online – Compare with the brand’s size chart to get the right fit. Altering your jeans – Get the perfect length when hemming. Finding the right cut – Different inseams work better for different styles (stacking, cuffing, or a clean break at the shoe).
Don’t Assume the Inseam Length on the Tag Is AccurateWhen you purchase a pair of jeans, it is highly likely that the inseam length on the tag is not correct. Most brands intentionally make their inseams longer than the labeled length, figuring it’s better to be longer than shorter or to allow for shrinkage after washing or alterations if needed. However, in some cases, brands may even produce inseams that are shorter than labeled—so always measure your jeans instead of trusting the tag.
Be Careful When Ordering Hemming on Multiple JeansIf you’re getting multiple pairs of jeans hemmed, avoid ordering the same inseam length across different styles without considering fit type and rise length.
These factors mean that jeans of the same labeled inseam can fit very differently based on their waist and rise measurements. To ensure consistency, always measure each pair individually before choosing a hemming length.
Need Professional Denim Alterations?At Williamsburg Garment Company, we specialize in professional denim hemming and alterations, ensuring your jeans fit perfectly—no matter the inseam length.
When it comes to hemming pants, maintaining the original look is key. Many tailors use what’s known as an “original hem alteration,” where they cut off the hem and reattach it with an added seam. But let’s be honest—that’s a poor man’s alteration technique. It compromises quality, especially for pants that aren’t distressed jeans. Following the manufacturer’s original stitching and details is the only way to ensure a professional result. Anything less can cost you discerning customers once they notice the poor craftsmanship inside their pants.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to hem pants professionally. If you have an industrial sewing machine, you’ll be able to follow along—just make sure you have the correct thread and needle sizes. These details matter, and most tailors overlook them.
If you’re using a home machine, the techniques I cover can work for lighter fabrics, but for heavyweight pants or workwear, a home machine won’t cut it. These require heavier thread and larger needles, and home machines typically don’t have the power to punch through tough fabrics like industrial machines do.
For those looking for a trusted professional to hem your pants, you’ve come to the right place. Williamsburg Garment Company is the nationwide leader in denim, workwear, and knit alterations. We specialize in giving you flawless, professional results—without any visible signs of alteration. Using factory-level machines and techniques, we deconstruct and reconstruct garments to preserve their original look and quality.
We may not be the fastest or the cheapest, but we’re committed to providing the best possible fit and finish. And we’ve made it simple to order alterations from anywhere. If you can order pizza online, you can order professional alterations from us. Just head over to WilliamsburgGarment.com and get started with a few clicks.
This video is a classic. Back in 2018, before we moved into our current location at 67 West Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, while working out of the back room inside Brooklyn Denim Co. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, our intern Emoni Sheldon and I recorded this video to explain how to taper jeans professionally. With the plethora of DIY hack videos out there, I thought it was crucial to show the proper method. It’s been a hit ever since.
We’ve promised an updated, more detailed version is coming, but we’re always under time pressure to get customers’ jeans in and out the door quickly, so we rarely find time for social media posts or other instructional videos—though we’re looking to change that. This video demonstrates our process for tapering jeans with flat-felled inseams. There’s also a faster, simpler process for tapering jeans with overlocked inseam construction, and we promise to record it soon.
Since we recorded this video, we’ve perfected our process, tapering thousands of jeans from a multitude of brands, and we’ve learned what makes each brand different along with their trademark details and construction.
For now, this is still the best video out there if you want to see how it should be done correctly. Everything else is a workaround hack for doing it yourself on sewing machines that are not built for the task.
The goal of this tutorial video is to walk you through the complex process of determining the inseam of twisted-leg jeans. In contrast to measuring the inseam on a pair of typical jeans or pants, dealing with twisted legs adds an additional level of complication. When the legs of the jeans wrap around to the opposite side, the dilemma of whether to follow the inseam line arises.
The short answer is no. The key is to follow the natural shape of the jeans as though there were no twist. In this video, we show you step-by-step how to do this.
In addition, we explore some of the frequent mistakes that tailors and clients requesting hemming alterations make while shortening the inseam. This guide will educate you on why using a general request like “take off 2 inches” while asking for a hemming service may not be the best choice. Similar to this, we show how this approach can result in mistakes when shortening jeans for tailors who often align the hems of jeans before simply cutting them. Have a look at our video to enhance your understanding and skills with denim alterations.
In this brief social media video, we show how to hem jeans professionally, just like it’s actually done at denim factories. In our video, there is no need for work-around-sewing-techniques, which leave bulky seamlines over the hem or ragged fabric on the reverse side, which prevents cuffing or rolling the hem. We love denim at Williamsburg Garment Company and hemming jeans the right way is important to us.
Even the heaviest denim is no problem for our beast of a sewing machine, a customized Union Special 56300 that bores through multiple layers of folds and seams. Here, denim designer Maurice Malone demonstrates chain stitch hemming a pair of jeans in our Instagram and TikTok video. Make sure to stay tuned and follow us for more.
