Keep Original Hem
Check out the step-by-step instructions to learn how to pin your shirt for the Keep Original Hem alteration.
06
If you purchased additional customizations for this item, refer to the next Pinning Guide. Otherwise, continue with this step.
07
If you purchased additional customizations for this item, refer to the next Pinning Guide. Otherwise, continue with this step.
06
Prepare the pinned item for shipping.
If wearing the item, carefully take it off, ensuring all safety pins stay in place.
Put your item and its Instruction Card into your Ship Kit Return Bag.
After using all Instruction Cards, seal your Ship Kit Return Bag, attach the prepaid shipping label, and drop it off at any USPS location.
01
01
Before You Get Started
To pin this alteration, you’ll need the one Keep Waistband safety pin from your Ship Kit.
If you don’t have a Ship Kit yet, head to our Shop page to get started. Once you complete your order, we’ll send your complimentary Ship Kit.
02
02
Original Hemlines
Original hemlines are different in structure or fabric from the rest of your item.
They can be asymmetrical, differ in fabric or texture from the rest of your item, or have embellishments.
With the Keep Original Hem option, we carefully detach the original hem, shorten your item, and reattach the original hem to maintain the items look and style.
03
03
Determine the length for your new hem.
Choose either Option A or B below to find your perfect hem length.
A Put on the item you are altering.
While standing up straight in front of a mirror, fold the bottom hem of your item up and inward to your desired length to see how it will look. Continue testing until you’re satisfied.
Once you've decided the length, hold the spot with your finger, release the folded fabric, and grab the Keep Original Hem safety pin from your Ship Kit.
If your original hem varies in length, your safety pin marks the new front length. We'll raise the front hem to this point while preserving the original style elsewhere. If your original hem is uniform, the new hem will be too.
Wear a pair of shorts or pants that you’d likely wear with your altered item to help you pick the best length.
Raise your arms while testing lengths. What looks good when relaxed may be too short with your arms up.
B Use an item you own as a guide.
Look through your closet for items similar to the one you're altering. Pick one with a hem length you’d like to copy.
Once you've picked your reference item, lay the item you’re altering on a flat surface, then place the reference piece on top.
Align the shoulders of both items before marking the new length.
04
04
Mark your desired length with the Shorten Length - Keep Original Hem safety pin.
Place the safety pin parallel to the existing bottom hem at your desired length.
Again, if your original hem varies in length, your safety pin marks the new front length. We'll raise the front hem to this point while preserving the original style elsewhere. If your original hem is uniform, the new hem will be too.
The safety pin only needs to pierce one layer of fabric to mark the new length. It does not need to hold any folds in place.
05
05
Test the length you pinned.
After placing the Shorten Length - Keep Original Hem safety pin, fold the hem of your item up and inward at the pinned length to double-check your choice.
Adjust and repin if needed.
Make sure the safety pin is parallel to the bottom hem.
06
If you purchased additional customizations for this item, refer to the next Pinning Guide. Otherwise, continue with this step.
07
If you purchased additional customizations for this item, refer to the next Pinning Guide. Otherwise, continue with this step.
06
Prepare the pinned item for shipping.
If wearing the item, carefully take it off, ensuring all safety pins stay in place.
Put your item and its Instruction Card into your Ship Kit Return Bag.
After using all Instruction Cards, seal your Ship Kit Return Bag, attach the prepaid shipping label, and drop it off at any USPS location.
01
01
Before You Get Started
To pin this alteration, you’ll need the one Keep Waistband safety pin from your Ship Kit.
If you don’t have a Ship Kit yet, head to our Shop page to get started. Once you complete your order, we’ll send your complimentary Ship Kit.
02
02
Original Hemlines
Original hemlines are different in structure or fabric from the rest of your item.
They can be asymmetrical, differ in fabric or texture from the rest of your item, or have embellishments.
With the Keep Original Hem option, we carefully detach the original hem, shorten your item, and reattach the original hem to maintain the items look and style.
03
03
Determine the length for your new hem.
Choose either Option A or B below to find your perfect hem length.
A Put on the item you are altering.
While standing up straight in front of a mirror, fold the bottom hem of your item up and inward to your desired length to see how it will look. Continue testing until you’re satisfied.
Once you've decided the length, hold the spot with your finger, release the folded fabric, and grab the Keep Original Hem safety pin from your Ship Kit.
If your original hem varies in length, your safety pin marks the new front length. We'll raise the front hem to this point while preserving the original style elsewhere. If your original hem is uniform, the new hem will be too.
Wear a pair of shorts or pants that you’d likely wear with your altered item to help you pick the best length.
Raise your arms while testing lengths. What looks good when relaxed may be too short with your arms up.
B Use an item you own as a guide.
Look through your closet for items similar to the one you're altering. Pick one with a hem length you’d like to copy.
Once you've picked your reference item, lay the item you’re altering on a flat surface, then place the reference piece on top.
Align the shoulders of both items before marking the new length.
04
04
Mark your desired length with the Shorten Length - Keep Original Hem safety pin.
Place the safety pin parallel to the existing bottom hem at your desired length.
Again, if your original hem varies in length, your safety pin marks the new front length. We'll raise the front hem to this point while preserving the original style elsewhere. If your original hem is uniform, the new hem will be too.
The safety pin only needs to pierce one layer of fabric to mark the new length. It does not need to hold any folds in place.
05
05
Test the length you pinned.
After placing the Shorten Length - Keep Original Hem safety pin, fold the hem of your item up and inward at the pinned length to double-check your choice.
Adjust and repin if needed.
Make sure the safety pin is parallel to the bottom hem.
06
If you purchased additional customizations for this item, refer to the next Pinning Guide. Otherwise, continue with this step.
07
If you purchased additional customizations for this item, refer to the next Pinning Guide. Otherwise, continue with this step.
06
Prepare the pinned item for shipping.
If wearing the item, carefully take it off, ensuring all safety pins stay in place.
Put your item and its Instruction Card into your Ship Kit Return Bag.
After using all Instruction Cards, seal your Ship Kit Return Bag, attach the prepaid shipping label, and drop it off at any USPS location.