Best way when altering waist on pants, to get professional tailor results like, is to know what you are doing.
There are many different ways and opinions on how to take in waist of pants the quick way. Some say it is best to take in waist at the side seams. Others think the best and most efficient way is alter waistband at the center back seam.
When I have to adjust waistband on a pair of pants, first I put them on to determine the perfect fit. Once I am comfortable with my decision I move to next step.
Next, with the help of my safety pin or sewing pins I pin the excess fabric at the center back of the waistband. Often, this is where the back belt loop is sewn into the waistband.
Once I’m finished with pinning, I’m left with extra fabric, like a dart. It starts small at the bottom of the dart and gradually increases going up high to the waistband.
This is the time I decide on the sewing technique that is best for the type of pants that I am working on currently. Are they old or new pants? Maybe dress pants, or elastic pants? Are they old pair of jeans, or perhaps a new jeans? What is my sewing project? Many questions to consider before ripping the waistband seams for best results.
The Sewing Supplies and Material that I use when altering pants waist size
- seam ripper
- scissors
- sewing machine
- tailor’s chalk or fabric marker
- safety pins or straight pins
- sewing thread
- measuring tape or ruler
- iron
- ironing board
how to take in waist of pants
After I mark in the fitting, next I start by unpicking stitches at the top of the waistband to separate the waistband from the seat seam only where the excess material is in.
Following this step I use tailor’s chalk to mark the new stitching line. The new sewing line is to be gradually joining into the original seam.
Here is a sewing tutorial on how to take in waist of pants – If you’re interested in watching a DIY video.
Happy sewing!