How to Alter Take in Pants: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you struggling with the fit of your pants? Do they feel a bit too tight around the waist or hips? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many people find that their favorite pair of pants need a little tweaking to fit perfectly. Altering take in pants is a simple and cost-effective solution to achieve the perfect fit. In this article, we will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to alter take in pants, ensuring that you can enjoy your favorite pair of trousers with comfort and style.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you start, gather all the necessary materials for the alteration. You will need:
– Your pants
– A measuring tape
– A pair of scissors
– A needle and thread
– pins
– Tailor’s chalk or a fabric pen
Step 2: Measure Your Waist and Hips
To determine how much to take in, measure your waist and hips. Compare these measurements to the waist and hip measurements of your pants. Subtract the pants’ measurements from your own to find the amount of take-in needed.
Step 3: Mark the Take-In Points
Lay your pants flat on a clean surface. Using tailor’s chalk or a fabric pen, mark the take-in points on the inside seam of the pants. For waist alterations, mark the desired amount of take-in on both sides of the waistband. For hip alterations, mark the desired amount of take-in on both sides of the inseam.
Step 4: Cut the Fabric
Using a pair of scissors, carefully cut along the marked lines. Be sure to cut through both layers of fabric and the seam allowance.
Step 5: Remove Excess Fabric
Now, remove the excess fabric from the inside seam. To do this, fold the fabric back along the seam line and cut the excess fabric away. Be sure to leave a small amount of seam allowance to maintain the integrity of the pants.
Step 6: Pin and Sew
Pin the cut edges together, right sides facing. Using a needle and thread, sew the edges together, leaving a small opening for turning the fabric right side out. Trim any excess thread.
Step 7: Turn and Press
Turn the pants right side out and press the seam flat with an iron. Be sure to press the opening closed as well.
Step 8: Finishing Touches
Now that your pants are altered, you may want to add a new waistband or hem, depending on your needs. If you need a new waistband, follow the same steps as in Step 6, but this time, sew the new waistband to the top of the pants. If you need to hem the pants, fold the bottom edge up to the desired length and sew it in place.
And there you have it! You have successfully altered take in pants. With these simple steps, you can enjoy a comfortable and well-fitting pair of trousers. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different alterations to find the perfect fit for you.
