topic Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS? in Fashion

ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 23:09:34 GMT

A while back I had to have a progression of renal artery angioplasties, due to a condition called renal artery stenosis. (They knew something was wrong when I walked into an ER and had a blood pressure reading of 250/150 !)

Since then, I just can't wear anything tight around my waist. Snug is okay, but not tight.

I have a pair of fleece pants that have a 3 inch wide elastic inside the waistband and am wondering if there's a way to loosen the elastic.

TIA for any suggestions you may have!

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

simplyfriends — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 23:23:21 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 I had a pair that were too snug also but they were just comfy fleece pants that I wear at home - I just took some scissors and cut a little bit right thru the waistband and elastic to loosen it up. Does that make sense? It worked perfect for me.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

SilleeMee — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 23:23:56 GMT

I was a seamstress long ago and I would alter stretch waistbands to make them expand easier by adding extra pieces of elastic inside the casing. it takes a bit of know-how but if it's important enough to spend the money to get it done then take your pants to a tailor. I would do it for you if I could.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

Kachina624 — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 23:38:07 GMT

They use many methods for making waist bands nowdays. I'd have to see it. I could fix it but couldn't tell you how to do it. I too would fix it for you if you'd pop over to my house.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

Mz iMac — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 23:56:52 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 For diy instructions, check out YouTube tutorials.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

jlkz — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:00:25 GMT

As I am not a seamstress, only a person who truly hates to sew, I would take the easy way out.

I would cut the 3" band on the side at a diagonal and then bend back each long edge and hand stitch it down. Simple if you don't want to take it to a seamstress.

Lesson learned: I took a QVC maxi tank dress to a seamstress to get the under arms taken it. The dress was a clearance item from their outlet...cost approx $15. When I went to pick it up, she wanted $45. We negotiated it down and I gave her a strapless underwire for her bridal customers to use for underpinning so they could try on dresses for her to fix.

earlier in my life I loved this midi dress at Chico's but it was a size 4 and I was a size 3. Tried it on for pinning ( at another seamstress ). When I picked it up, it was double the price quoted....turns out the fabric was lined or doubled, hence the increase.

Gave that dress away without ever wearing it. If it has to be altered, it stays on the rack period.

Always ask the price first.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

ECBG — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 01:01:37 GMT

If I may make a suggestion.

Buy what ever pant with belt loops which you like with the waist band comfortable.

Go to amazon, and look up adjustable belts. The color doesn't matter with tops worn out. I use the Belt A Way brand and have worn one low profile belt for 3 years with no wear. I am concerned the cheaper brands won't have soft elastic. My denim doesn't slide down or "grow".

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

robbn99 — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 01:26:18 GMT

Before you alter, take your pants after washing and while still wet, stretch the waist band and then hang on a large hanger with the hanger stretching the waistband until they are dry. I use huggable hangers that are very durable and the waist band stretches. I do this with jeans that are snug in the waist and some even stay after the next washing. Good luck!

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

ROMARY — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:16:18 GMT

I've been known to cut slits all around the waistband, about an inch or two apart.

That's if you are going to wear tops un-tucked.

Another person mentioned something about the elastic in the waistband casing, etc. which is a good idea.

I'd first follow the other posters' suggestions.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:28:13 GMT

If you don't sew, take to a taylor. Another piece of elastic needs to be attached to the end of the elasting inside the casing to enlarge the waste band...Some elastic waste pants don't have a casing but a large piece of elastic sewn over with several layers of stitching. I don't know how that would be fixed., but a seamstress should be able to help you. In my area even the drycleaners have a person that does alterations.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

chrystaltree — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:31:54 GMT

Maybe buy a larger size to accommodate your waist and have a seamstress take it in if it's too loose.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

SilleeMee — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:39:21 GMT

You can take a hot iron to the stretched waistband (carefully). Do it using a towel on top of the pants. Let the pants cool completely before relaxing the waistband. Heat from the iron will permanently stretch the elastic so do it in stages until you get what you need.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

philom — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 03:54:15 GMT

Nice tip! Thank you. A tailor (female) told me to lose weight when I asked the same question.

Re: ANY TIPS FOR STRETCHING WAISTBANDS?

Pook — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 11:36:04 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 I have a thick waist so what I have done is stretch them over a kitchen or dining room chair back wet for at day. Sometimes even dry works also. I then get a perfect fit all over.