San Juan Capistrano tailor
Pants & Jeans Hemming in San Juan Capistrano
The right length depends on the shoes, the cloth and how you like the leg to fall. Sami pins the hem with you standing in the shoes you'll wear, then finishes it to suit the fabric.
Mon–Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 10am–3pm
Choose the finish
Four ways to hem a pair of pants
The finish depends on the fabric and the look you want. Sami will tell you which one suits the pair you bring in.
Original hem on jeans
The factory hem is taken off and sewn back on at the new length, so the worn edge and fading stay. Also called a European hem. A small fold sits on the inside, out of sight.
Plain hem
A new fold stitched at the right length. The usual choice for casual pants, chinos and work pants.
Blind hem on dress pants
Stitched so the thread doesn't show on the outside. The standard finish for suit trousers and dress slacks.
Cuffs
A turned-up cuff adds weight so the leg hangs straight. Cuffs need extra length below the hem, so they work best on pants that are still long.
Getting the length right
Bring the shoes, then decide on the break
The break is how much the hem rests on the top of your shoe. No break sits just above the shoe for a clean, modern line. A slight break touches the shoe and is the safe choice for most dress pants. A full break folds once over the shoe and suits wider legs.
A heel or a sneaker changes the right length by a surprising amount, so bring the shoes you'll actually wear and put them on for the fitting. If you wear the pants with two kinds of shoes, pin to the one you'll wear most.
Pants that are too big in the waist or the leg need more than a hem. Taking in the waist or tapering the leg is covered on making pants smaller.
How it works
From drop-off to pickup
- 01
Walk in
No appointment needed. Bring the pants and the shoes.
- 02
Get pinned
Sami pins the length with you standing, checks the front and back, and agrees the finish with you.
- 03
Know the price first
You get the price at the counter before any work begins.
- 04
Pick it up
Many hems can be done the same day. Ask when you drop off, or call ahead if you need it by a certain time.
What's possible
Shortening is easy. Lengthening depends on the cloth.
Pants can almost always be shortened. Making them longer is only possible when there's enough fabric folded inside the hem, so check the inside of the leg before you buy a pair that's too short.
On jeans and dark fabrics, letting a hem down often leaves a faded line where the old fold was. Sami will look at the pair and tell you honestly whether it will show.
Good to know
Pants & Jeans Hemming questions
Something else? Call (949) 493-0505 and Sami will help.
Can you keep the original hem on my jeans?
Yes. The original hem is taken off and sewn back on at the new length, so the worn edge and fading stay as they were.
What should I bring to get pants hemmed?
Bring the pants and the shoes you'll wear with them. The right length changes with the shoe, so Sami pins the hem while you wear them.
Can pants be made longer?
Only if there's enough fabric folded inside the existing hem. On jeans and dark fabrics the old fold line can show, and Sami will tell you before any work starts.
Do I need an appointment to get pants hemmed?
No. Walk-ins are welcome Monday to Friday 10 to 5 and Saturday 10 to 3. Many hems can be ready the same day; ask when you drop them off.
How much does it cost to hem pants?
It depends on the fabric and the finish: a plain hem, a blind hem, cuffs or an original hem on jeans. You get the price at the counter before any work begins.
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Visit the shop
Stop by and say hello.
San Juan Capistrano
32301 Camino Capistrano, Ste ESan Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-0505
Mon–Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 10am–3pm
- Monday – Friday
- 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Saturday
- 10:00am – 3:00pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Walk-ins welcome. For wedding gowns and bigger jobs, call first. Email samis.tailoring@gmail.com. Directions and drive times
Bring them in with the shoes.
Walk in Monday to Saturday, or call (949) 493-0505 if you need them by a certain day.