Hi Joyful375. When you are sewing a hem you will do best to have a friend help you mark the bottom of the pants. Otherwise you will have to use a mirror and bend down and stand up straight a lot. If the pant material is washable you can use a piece of soap to mark the bottom of the outside of the pants. Use a piece of dry, hard, soap that is small and has an edge. Soap will wash out of the material easily. You can even wipe the material with a damp cloth and get the soap off. Pick the threads of the old hem out with a seam ripper if you need the material that is folded into the old hem to make at least a one half inch hem. The hem should be big enough to lay flat but never more than 3/4 inch. When you add the amount you want your hem width to be then double that. So, if you want a 1/2 " hem you will mark and cut 1" from the edge so you will have enough space to roll the hem under. It is important that you press the hem after it is rolled and before you sew it. Pressing is done with your iron in a up and down motion not back and forth. Back and forth can stretch the edge. This will cause puckers when you are hemming. Do you know how to do a hem stitch? This is what you need to do. If it is heavy material and you are going to sew over the rolled hem at an inseam or out seam you will need to pound the seam firmly with a hammer before you sew it to flatten it so your needle will go over the seam with out breaking the needle or having the machine bunch the area, wadding a lot of thread.

wannasew2: I had to copy those URL's and I will give them a try tomorrow. Thank You

jo4: Maybe you could pick up a robe pattern that would be easier and in Simplicity I have seen a costume for shephards and there was a coat that would work for this project too.

It is nice to meet like minded people. I love sewing but recently had to do to many other tasks. Now I am ready to sew a storm for Christmas. I have a large amount of fabric to choose from sitting in my garage. I thought I would begin with making one of my 5 daughters a hanging makeup/ toiletries bag to take with her when she travels. I want to place large snaps on the flap style pockets that are made out of clear vinyl. Has anyone ever worked with snaps on vinyl? It is a sturdy grade of vinyl.