Pants hemming in Tomball, TX

What this alteration involves

A hem sets where your pants end and how they fall over your shoes. Dress pants usually get a plain hem that is blind stitched so it barely shows on the outside. Cuffed hems fold up and need extra length, roughly three times the cuff depth, so cuffs can only be added when there is enough fabric. The break, meaning how much fabric rests on your shoe, is a personal choice: no break, a slight break or a full break. Jeans are different. Their thick, topstitched hem can be copied with matching thread, or the original hem can be cut off and sewn back on higher so the faded edge stays. That method leaves a small ridge just above the hem. Wide legs, tapered legs and lined trousers each hang a little differently.

How to get the best fit

• Wear or bring the exact shoes you plan to wear with these pants. A difference of an inch in heel height changes the right length.
• Wear the belt you normally use and sit the waist where you actually wear it, not higher for the fitting.
• Decide on the break before you come in: no break, a slight break or a full break.
• For jeans, say whether you want to keep the original hem or are fine with a new one.
• If you need them by a certain date, say so when you drop them off and ask what is possible.

What can and cannot be done

Shortening is almost always possible. Lengthening depends on how much fabric is folded inside the current hem, and the old fold line often shows, especially on dark cotton, denim and polyester blends. Cuffs need a lot of spare length, so cuffing pants that are being shortened is not always an option. Very wide or flared legs and patterned fabrics need extra care to line up. At the counter we can look at your specific pair and tell you what is possible.