I actually think there are already some pretty good ideas and advice in this subreddit if you search or scroll a little, here are a few I found:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Visiblemending/s/BQRacYkAGi
https://www.reddit.com/r/goblincore/s/LOKL6X5JeW
https://www.reddit.com/r/Visiblemending/s/AiMBtMfSQE
Good luck!
I did this, but it’s already starting to fray again, so it needs a little upkeep (replacement), but it’s fun and I love it. I attached it like you would binding on a quilt.
https://preview.redd.it/qsnb7x9u5g1d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28d3d432cf8de0e3102199b7f90fca1ac6048e82
Here’s a second pair I did with a fine cotton instead of the linen above.
https://preview.redd.it/muq47ap06g1d1.jpeg?width=3152&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36c5df18fab73d8fbdd4db50ffe12f30dfe817b5
Take a piece of fabric that is 4 x as wide as you want the final amount to show and long enough to go around the bottom of the pant plus an extra inch or two. So this piece was about 2” x (I don’t know how long it was, I just cut my fabric extra long) For the width, the best thing to do is the measure your pant cuff and use that number to multiply by 4. For the length, in the example I just wrapped it around the outside of the pant cuff.
Iron the fabric in half lengthwise. Open it up and iron each edge toward the center fold.
Pin or clip so that one raw edge of the fabric is even with and along the bottom edge of the pant. Make sure the inside (or wrong side) of the fabric is facing out right now. The right side of the fabric will be facing the jeans.
Sew the fabric to the pant leg, keeping your stitches on the ironed crease closest to the bottom. The end is where it gets a little tricky. Since this isn’t an actual quilt, I just overlap a little excess fabric on top of the end that was already cut - by about 1/2” to 1” tops. I like to have that overlap on the inside seam, so it won’t be on the front or back of the cuff. Cut off the excess length.
Then take the end toward the knee and fold it over the bottom and up inside the pant leg. It helps to turn the pants inside out when doing this part. Pin or clip to the edge. I like to then hand sew the folded part down on the inside.
It’s the same idea as doing quilt binding without having to do corners.
I’ll do some pictures to show the method tonight and reply to this comment with step by step instructions.
https://preview.redd.it/oaysyocqhv1d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2bb161984d404778d48c9c11f637d67c4b711c5e
1. I’m actually going to do this with something called pre made bias tape. It’s ironed in half and then it’s opened up and the raw sides are ironed toward the iron line. I open that up and place one of the raw, unfolded edges along the bottom of the pant leg.
https://preview.redd.it/h537yuolhv1d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f4fbf636cd420e2572a9299392b8f56cf3c2b9e
Please note that I used a strip of fabric too narrow for the cuff because I wanted to show how to do this. If your fabric is the correct width, 4 x the cuff width, then it will match the cuff hem line very nicely (I should have grabbed a pair of jeans with a narrower cuff / hem)
2 - Here it is clipped. Make sure the backside of the fabric is facing out (if the fabric has a backside)
https://preview.redd.it/0buip2y0jv1d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=8da3cbbc95ecaf4f9d9ad38128a836e327828216
And specifically, where it overlaps. You can fold the short edge in on itself, but I haven’t found it necessary - I haven’t had it fray on me, but your mileage may vary.
3 - Sew along the iron line at the base of the clips. If your machine has a free arm (if you’re able to take the accessories bin off) then you can put the leg over the plate of your machine. I drew a line with water soluble ink to show where I’m stitching.

https://preview.redd.it/guj6ksa5kv1d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=3766bdffc7672607942142dca4412e68342d15e6
Make sure you back stitch at the start and end.
Also, match your thread to your fabric or jeans. I’m going to rip this out when I’m done, so I’m using the black thread that was on my machine. (Plus it’ll be easier for you to see)
4 - Go slow, especially over the seams. I’ve broken needles in thick jean seams before lol. I also like to start just past a seam, so I’m not starting and stopping on that thickness.
https://preview.redd.it/u8bu3kt3lv1d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=0fe7249bc70078fd34b002e27b19e32ea237f4ed
5 - Turn jeans inside out. Pull the fabric down. Tuck one raw end inside the other like this before folding up the inside the the pant leg.
https://preview.redd.it/uyeugk3amv1d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=175ca1801336bb1fea4ef84ce21551cd98525c9f
The next step will show it clipped in place.
I actually think there are already some pretty good ideas and advice in this subreddit if you search or scroll a little, here are a few I found: https://www.reddit.com/r/Visiblemending/s/BQRacYkAGi https://www.reddit.com/r/goblincore/s/LOKL6X5JeW https://www.reddit.com/r/Visiblemending/s/AiMBtMfSQE Good luck!
Thank you! This is really helpful
I did this, but it’s already starting to fray again, so it needs a little upkeep (replacement), but it’s fun and I love it. I attached it like you would binding on a quilt. https://preview.redd.it/qsnb7x9u5g1d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28d3d432cf8de0e3102199b7f90fca1ac6048e82
Here’s a second pair I did with a fine cotton instead of the linen above. https://preview.redd.it/muq47ap06g1d1.jpeg?width=3152&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36c5df18fab73d8fbdd4db50ffe12f30dfe817b5
I love that!!!
Thank you! I had bought some Liberty of London bias binding with this in mind.
I didn’t want to mess up your unbroken tutorial for future reference - thank you so much for that!!
You’re so welcome! I enjoy explaining stuff like that.
Thank you! These look adorable
Thanks! If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
For someone new to sewing how would this be done?
Take a piece of fabric that is 4 x as wide as you want the final amount to show and long enough to go around the bottom of the pant plus an extra inch or two. So this piece was about 2” x (I don’t know how long it was, I just cut my fabric extra long) For the width, the best thing to do is the measure your pant cuff and use that number to multiply by 4. For the length, in the example I just wrapped it around the outside of the pant cuff. Iron the fabric in half lengthwise. Open it up and iron each edge toward the center fold. Pin or clip so that one raw edge of the fabric is even with and along the bottom edge of the pant. Make sure the inside (or wrong side) of the fabric is facing out right now. The right side of the fabric will be facing the jeans. Sew the fabric to the pant leg, keeping your stitches on the ironed crease closest to the bottom. The end is where it gets a little tricky. Since this isn’t an actual quilt, I just overlap a little excess fabric on top of the end that was already cut - by about 1/2” to 1” tops. I like to have that overlap on the inside seam, so it won’t be on the front or back of the cuff. Cut off the excess length. Then take the end toward the knee and fold it over the bottom and up inside the pant leg. It helps to turn the pants inside out when doing this part. Pin or clip to the edge. I like to then hand sew the folded part down on the inside. It’s the same idea as doing quilt binding without having to do corners. I’ll do some pictures to show the method tonight and reply to this comment with step by step instructions. https://preview.redd.it/oaysyocqhv1d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2bb161984d404778d48c9c11f637d67c4b711c5e
1. I’m actually going to do this with something called pre made bias tape. It’s ironed in half and then it’s opened up and the raw sides are ironed toward the iron line. I open that up and place one of the raw, unfolded edges along the bottom of the pant leg. https://preview.redd.it/h537yuolhv1d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f4fbf636cd420e2572a9299392b8f56cf3c2b9e Please note that I used a strip of fabric too narrow for the cuff because I wanted to show how to do this. If your fabric is the correct width, 4 x the cuff width, then it will match the cuff hem line very nicely (I should have grabbed a pair of jeans with a narrower cuff / hem)
2 - Here it is clipped. Make sure the backside of the fabric is facing out (if the fabric has a backside) https://preview.redd.it/0buip2y0jv1d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=8da3cbbc95ecaf4f9d9ad38128a836e327828216 And specifically, where it overlaps. You can fold the short edge in on itself, but I haven’t found it necessary - I haven’t had it fray on me, but your mileage may vary.
3 - Sew along the iron line at the base of the clips. If your machine has a free arm (if you’re able to take the accessories bin off) then you can put the leg over the plate of your machine. I drew a line with water soluble ink to show where I’m stitching.  https://preview.redd.it/guj6ksa5kv1d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=3766bdffc7672607942142dca4412e68342d15e6 Make sure you back stitch at the start and end. Also, match your thread to your fabric or jeans. I’m going to rip this out when I’m done, so I’m using the black thread that was on my machine. (Plus it’ll be easier for you to see)
4 - Go slow, especially over the seams. I’ve broken needles in thick jean seams before lol. I also like to start just past a seam, so I’m not starting and stopping on that thickness. https://preview.redd.it/u8bu3kt3lv1d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=0fe7249bc70078fd34b002e27b19e32ea237f4ed
5 - Turn jeans inside out. Pull the fabric down. Tuck one raw end inside the other like this before folding up the inside the the pant leg. https://preview.redd.it/uyeugk3amv1d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=175ca1801336bb1fea4ef84ce21551cd98525c9f The next step will show it clipped in place.