Quick Stitch to Wear Again: Hems
Mending! That’s a sewing topic that some try to avoid. Have you ever thought, Oh goodie, today I get to replace a zipper! Can you relate?
Mending doesn’t need to be a trial. You can cheat! No demerits, rather legitimate—although unconventional—sewing repairs with minimal effort. You’ll find four common mending repairs in the first episode of Quick Stitch to Wear Again, today’s Sewing With Nancy featured video. Watch online, on Public TV, or on DVD. Or, follow all the details in the book. Here’s what you’ll learn!
Fool’em Jeans Hem
Here’s the first cheater’s way to mend, the Fool’em Jeans Hem! Nancy demonstrates how to shorten a pair of jeans, yet keep the original hemline stitching—you might be surprised at the solution. Click to watch online.
No-Bump Jeans Hem
When tapered or flared jeans must be shortened, another fix-it approach is needed. Usually, it’s tricky to sew over the thick seams. Not so with the No-Bumps Jeans Hem approach. No steamroller needed, just a quick-stitch tip!
Snug-up the Waist Fix
When pants or jeans fit around your hips, but gape at the waist, you can “Snug-up the Waist” without a second thought. Grab a seam ripper and some elastic and Nancy will show you how to create a snug fit in mere minutes.
Cover-Up Zipper Fix
Sew True! You’ll never see zippers the same way! The Cover-Up is Exposed. Okay, we’re having fun with a topic that can be dry. The Cover-Up Zipper technique, replacing zippers in jeans and pants, is truly sensational. Don’t look for the latest edition of Sew True at the grocery checkout—just watch online!
Special thanks to Philip Ashby, graphic artist at Wisconsin Public TV for the clever illustrations.
19 Cheater’s Sewing Repairs in Nancy’s Book!
There wasn’t time for Nancy to demonstrate all the mending tips and tricks on TV—so we gathered additional easy ideas to add to the tips shown on TV. All 19 tips with illustrations are in the full-color book, Quick Stitch to Wear Again.
Watch Quick Stitch to Wear Again on Sewing With Nancy online.
For a chance to win a copy of Quick Stitch to Wear Again from Nancy’s Notions, simply leave a comment sharing which of these mending tips you need the most.
The randomly selected winner of a copy of Double Wedding Ring Quilts, by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, is Karen Miskunas Sheridan.
Her comment is, “Victoria has matched up the sensibility of traditional quilt blocks with a modern energy, creating some of my favorite designs by a contemporary quilter~ sheer inspiration!”
Happy Sewing,
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.
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Pat Steckman
Hemming Jeans….I have struggled with this for years between my sons and now my mother and me. Great information and help making a “long problem shorter”.
Linda Weinberger
I would love this book since my husband is always wanting me to fix the elastic on his bathingsuits. I tried once but was not successful.
Nancy
Replacing zippers always is hard for me to master. Great tips!!
Max
The waist bands on most pants are TOO large for my waist.
I need the pants to fix my back side and legs, the waist is TOO big–pins, fold overs, belts–whatever to make them fit.–not a fun time wearing pants for me.
Karen
I am so afraid of anything to do with zippers.
Dee Haygood
Sometimes when shortening sleeves, you can also take a tuck above the original hem line just like the method shown for the jeans. This works well when there is a fancy finish or decoration on the sleeve hem.
Karin Callander
Oh gosh, anything to do with hemming pants..jeans, shorts, dress pants, bathing suits, ANY pants! My husband has short legs and a long torso, so I struggle with everything he buys. I would love to have a reference book I could turn to each time!!
On the other hand, I just bought a pair of beautifully fitting pink jeans, but they’re too short! I’m thinking of splitting the side seam a bit and putting an insert that will also lengthen. What’s stopping me? That darned lump that will be in hem!
Melani
I have a 28 inch inseam. There is only one store that carries jeans with a 29 inch inseam in petite. They cost too much. So I get what I can afford. Hemming jeans is no joke. Especially when you try to preserve the O.G. hem. No Bump Hem will be my best friend.
Peggy Bibb
Having done alterations for years, new ways to do something is always good!
Linda Andersen
I would love an easier way to replace a zipper, My husband’s winter chore coat zipper always seems to give up before the coat does. Such a hassel to tear out the old zipper and stich in the new one and get the lining tacked down smoothly. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!
Susan
With 6 married grown kids and 21 grandchildren, there is a constant need to fix zippers, hems, and waistlines. I need the help this “Quick Stich To Wear Again”, would offer!
Linda Morales
This would definitely be used ALOT. I have several grandbrats (grandchildren) and many sons and in-laws that these techniques will save me time.
Meta Bonnell
I could really use the No Bump Jeans Hem. Either my pants have gotten longer or my legs got shorter!
Debbie Echaves
All my jeans need the waist taken in I’m going to use Nancy’s snug up the waist fix.
Nancy Hoover
I love the Quick Stitch to wear again ideas! Even though I’ve been doing the jean hemming and waist elastic tricks for years, I was not aware of the simple zipper replacement! What a Saviour for a favorite pair of jeans when you don’t want to leave them in the bottom of the mending pile with a broken zipper! Thanks for all the great ideas. I’m sure there’s more in the book that I haven’t seen yet. I would love to share these ideas with others as well. Exciting!
Denise Losczyk
Today it is hems! Thanks for the giveaway and information.
Melissa
I believe an easier way to hem pants would be my saving grace, as I am 5’2″ but not petite and have had to shorten every pair of pants I have ever bought 5″. I also have a need to alter the waist but have never done that and would love to learn how. I’m sure that like all of Nancy’s methods it would make everything clear and easy.
Kathe
Hemming pants, mine and frequently my husband’s this would be a big help. Zipper can also be a challenge especially in winter jackets!
Kathryn Englebretsen
The zipper replacement is without a doubt the most useful. I don’t know how many clothing items that have been discarded when still useful because of broken zippers. I need to start replacing zippers.
Sunni
Zippers and blue jean hems are challenging. Nancy’s advice is so timely. This book will get worn from use….the best kind of book!
Helen Jaroslawski
The zipper fix in a jacket was a great idea and very timely for me . Thank you.I also enjoyed the story of the dress designs and recreations at the museun
Lois
I dread replacing zippers. Any help is appreciated.
Peg G
Asking a sewist to mend is like asking Michelangelo to paint your garage! So it is with great reluctance that I approach the mending pile. I despise, hate, loath, detest zipper replacement the most. Something like this might make the whole process less a chore and more of an easy labor of love.
Kathryn Smotryski
I need the hemming of jeans. At 5’2″ sometimes even the petite sizes need adjusting.
Clovis
Replacing zippers on anything. Can’t line them up right.
Debra Thompson
My son has a small waist. Finding jeans that fit can be a challenge. Nancy’s “Snug-up the Waist Fix” is just what I need.
Linda Edwards
Clever tip for the jeans’ hems. Wish I had known it many years ago.
Donna McAfee
I was thrilled to when I learned Nancy’s trick to sew over bumps on jeans. It has changed my obligation of hemming jeans for my “short” husband to a breeze rather that a chore!
Gail Beam
Oh my gosh!! I need them all!! Especially zippers and hemming jeans. I would love to have this book!
L Watson
I could certainly make some of my jeans a little larger. I could also replace some zippers, I have already used some of these techniques from Nancy….they are so helpful.
Delois Campbell
Which one? All of them!! Nancy has always had some of the best techniques for any sewing issue.
Edna Marks
Hemming jeans, at 5’4″ petites just little to short and regulars to long!
Patricia Wester
I’ve used the “piece of cake” method to make a pair of jeans bigger in the waist and it worked beautifully. Would like to try other techniques in the book.
Bonnye
Since I sew and most of my friends and family do not sew, I am asked to repair their clothing. This book would certainly help me.
Judi C
I sew need the no bumps jeans hem trick. My husband has a few pair of work jeans that are just a tad too long but my machine cannot handle the thick jean seam.
Noreen
Replacing the jeans zipper. In the past, when a jeans zipper has broken, I just donate the jeans – hoping they will fall into the hands of someone who can replace the zipper. With this book I can do it myself.
Ruth Dejam
I have to snug up the waist on pretty much every single pair of pants my husband owns and he’s a clothes horse. Everything else is a bonus! 🙂
Pam VanAustin
I just replaced a jeans zipper using Nancy’s technique. I remembered it from when this program aired. It was so much easier, looked fine and got the job done quicker! Would love to try some of the other tricks!
kathy
I am in awe of how to replace the zipper in the jeans! What a great method-one I will be using
Rose
I think these tips are brilliant. As previously mentioned by others who have left responses, since I am the person who sews I often find myself doing repairs for non-sewers and having this book to refer back to would be helpful.
DebbieW
The Cover-Up Zipper has to be the best, most-needed technique for me as a quick, time-saving zipper replacement. I remember watching this episode, miss Nancy.
Denise Wichman
The waistline hack foe mending the grape.
Denise Wichman
The waistline hack foe mending the gape.
Pamela kitchens
The zipper info
Sarah
I often need my jeans hemed up and the waist made smaller.
Julie Lyon
Even tho I have been sewing for a really long time, each of the mending ideas are absolutely genius!! So clever and easy.
Vicki
Replacing a zipper in a heavy sweatshirt jacket is tops on my list of mending. I actually picked up the necessary materials a couple days ago.
E. Watson
I most often need my jeans made smaller at the waist.
Linda Weinberger
I would love to teach my grandsons to sew and my granddaughter when she’s older.
Debi P
I am working hard at loosing weight. Don’t want to keep buying a new wardrobe until I’ve reached goal. Having my pants loose is good so long as they are not too loose! OOPS! So learning how to take in the waist and have them look professional was much needed!!
Karen
Definitely the too much cake for me!!!! Nancy taught me to enjoy sewing and more recently to enjoy life and spread cheer! Life is too short to do anything else!
Carol
Hemming is what gets me every time.
sonja dew
I really need information on how to replace an invisible zipper. My niece is counting on me to be able to do this in 2 very pretty dresses she has. Thank You
Melanie Eddy
I love the no bump jeans hem! I do have one more hint for that. Have your girlfriend pin the hem up not your husband and try the jeans on before you cut. I had to let the jeans hem back out after my husband pinned them up for me!
Chris
The quick-fix of ‘snug-up the waist’ is brilliant! I wish I knew this last year when our daughter asked me to decrease the waist on our 5 year old granddaughter’s uniform. This would have been sooooooooo much easier!