Pinning Mens Suit Trousers

How to pin your garments

Suit Trousers

How to measure your trousers

Measure the Length Method N. 1: How to measure the inside length on your suit trousers

Start by taking your best fitting trousers and lay them flat on a surface, lift the top leg. Using our measuring tape, measure the distance from the start of the inner seam to the hem. This measurement is your leg length. Write your measurement on a note and attach it to the new trousers you want to get shorten. 

Measure the Length Method N. 2 How to measure the inside lenght using your existing trousers

If you own a pair of trousers that fit nicely already you can use them as a length sample. Start by taking the trousers that need altering, and place them flat on a surface. Then place the sample trousers directly on top of the new ones ensuring that the waist bands are levelled. Once the trousers are lying flat on top of each other you should be able to see a clear difference in length, at that point you can begin pinning your trousers to match the sample. 

Reduce size of waist

Trousers that need to be let out must have at least a 1 inch seam allowance in the center back seam. You can easily check this by opening up your trousers and checking the inner seams, especially back seam. Suit trousers or smart trousers usually have up to 2 inches of seam allowance, which allows us to let out your trousers to a maximum of 2 inches. 

From Back

Start by making sure your waistband is sitting in a comfortable position on your waist. Proceed by pinching out any excess fabric and securing it with a safety pin on the waistband close to where the fabric meets. If the seat area remains loose  just place a couple pins a few inches below. Keep in mind you should always try to avoid any zips or buttons when pinning. 

From sides

Start by making sure your waistband is sitting in a comfortable position on your waist. Proceed by pinching out any excess fabric and securing it with a safety pin on the waistband close to where the fabric meets. If the seat area remains loose just place a couple pins a few inches below. Keep in mind you should always try to avoid any zips or buttons when pinning. 

Reduce Length on your Trousers

Start by trying on the trousers with the shoes you will most likely be wearing them with. If you have a friend with you, stand straight and look forward, while your friend folds back the excess fabric and places a pin to hold the folded edge. That is where your new hem will be. Remember that for wider trousers your New Hem should be at least a ¼” inch off the ground. 

Jeans

Reduce Length on your Jeans

Try on your jeans and stand straight in front of a mirror, start by folding the excess fabric inwards then stand straight and check the length. Once the desired length is achieved place few pins around the hem ensuring it is even all around.

Tapering Legs

Stand straight in front of a mirror and ensure that your jeans are sitting comfortably in your waist. Start by straightening out the excess fabric by pulling out the excess fabric beginning from the widest point of the calf in a downward motion with each pin placed further away from the seam until reaching the hem. For this alteration only one leg needs to be pinned, we will match the rest. Please remember: bending your knee needs some space – be careful not pin too tight.

Reduce Waist

Stand straight in front of a mirror and with the help of a friend, start by trying on your jeans and pinching out the excess fabric from the waistband, then place a pin close to where the fabric meets. If the seat area remains loose, Just placed a few pins a couple inches below. Please keep in mind you should always try to avoid buttons and zippers when pinning

Jacket

Reduce Sleeve Length

Start by folding the excess fabric back to the desired length, the final sleeve length should not go past your thumb knuckle. Proceed by pinning the fabric into place ensuring it is even all around. Don’t worry if there are buttons in the way we just need to know the final length. This is how the finished result will look. 

The Perfect Sleeve Length : Suitable for blazer or any kind of jacket if you plan to wear a shirt with Normal Cuff

The Perfect Sleeve Length : Suitable for Tuxedo or any kind of jacket if you plan to wear a shirt with Double Cuff

Reduce Hem Length

Stand in front of the mirror with one hand on your side and fold in the excess fabric with your free hand, then pin it into place. For this alteration only one side is needed to be pinned. 

When you are standing facing the mirror please remember: The Length of your Jacket must have two important things: 1) Proportion of your figure and the style of the jacket 2) Check the position of the pocket. Classic style: If you want to use the pocket minimum distance from pocket to hem should be 8 inches (20 cm). Trendy style: distance can be less.

Dress and Skirt

Shorten Straps or Lift Up shoulders on Dress or Top

Start by trying on the dress / top and pulling the strap upwards until it reaches your desired fit and pin into place. Once you’re happy with how your dress / top sits you can match the other side. 

Lift Up Dress or Top Shoulder

For this service, start by trying on the dress and pulling the shoulder upwards until it reaches your desired fit and pin into place. Once you’re happy with how your dress sits you can match the other side. 

Reduce length on Dress or Skirt

Visualize roughly where you want your hem to be, then fold the hem inwards and begin pinning starting from the front, working your way around the hem. Take a step back to ensure that it’s even all around. 

Reduce width on Dress or Skirt

Stand straight and look forward, while a friend helps you. Start by pulling out the seams from under the widest part of the hip. Pinch the excess fabric at the outside seam of your dress or skirt, then pin into place. Pinning all the way down to the hem. Then repeat the same process on the other side until achieving your desired fit

Shirts and Tops

Reduce Sleeve Length

Try on your shirt and bend your elbow to a 90° angle so you can roughly visualize how much sleeve needs to be shortened. Straighten your arm and fold your cuff to the desired length. The cuff should end where your thumb bone begins, then pin into place. 

Extend your arm in front of you, fold the extra material up to the desired lenght

Shorten Hem

Fold hem of your top to the desired length. Once the desired length is achieved you can proceed and pin it into place. The folded edge is where your new hem will be.

Reduce Sleeve Length on T-shirt / Top

Fold sleeve hem of your top to the desired length. Once the desired length is achieved you can proceed and pin it into place. The folded edge is where your new hem will be. 

Repair Garments

Write a small note on a piece of paper (post-it note) and pin it to the affected area. Please remember that we require note on each repair (for example your jeans have several holes: each hole you want us to mend needs a small note.

Curtains

To alter the length on your curtains, prepare them by hanging them up on your pole or track and measure the final length you wish them to be shorten. Write this measure on your form and mark one panel on both sides and middle. This is only needed on one of panels.

If your curtains have eyelids please note on the form if you have measured the final drop from top of the curtain or from top of the pole.