How to Shorten a Denim Skirt While Maintaining the Original Hem

Use this guide to shorten a denim skirt while maintaining the original hem.

While shortening a denim skirt can be as simple as cutting it with a pair of scissors, this often results in a messy, frayed hem. Even a basic cut-and-fold method, though cleaner, produces a flat hem that may not match the original design. This guide will show you how to shorten your denim skirt to your desired length while preserving its original hem—so you can alter your skirt’s length while achieving a clean, professional finish that doesn’t compromise on style.

Before you begin, you will need to have some basic knowledge of sewing. The sewing portion of this repair guide can be done either by hand or with a sewing machine (this specific demonstration was sewed by hand). If you are new to sewing, or need a refresher, instructions on how to sew by hand can be found here, and instructions on how to sew using a sewing machine can be found here.