topic Re: altering pants question in Among Friends

altering pants question

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 29 May 2017 20:54:26 GMT

I have a pair of J Jill pants that have a sewn in elastic wasit band, the waist lay nice and flat but....not easy to alter! I am between sizes the 10 fits fine in the waist but snug in the high thigh area...so I had to get the size 12....

I wore them yesterday, and they are a little uncomfortable to wear, I was hiking them up all day.

I can do a short pleat on each side of the center seam...is that the correct way to alter the pants....since the waist band is sewn in and not in a casing, I don't even know how I would take the waist in...any thoughts? Thanks

Re: altering pants question

I am still oxox — Mon, 29 May 2017 20:57:36 GMT

Best would be to take it to a tailor, but if you want to do it on your own, you can either make two darts in the back or just run a seam down the back seam

Re: altering pants question

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 29 May 2017 21:01:42 GMT

@I am still oxox...if I take a seam down the center back the seam would be thick and if I would trim the seam the top edge would not be finished...the elastic is sew to the fabric at the top with about a 1/4 in of the pant fabric showing. You are probably right I need to take it to someone to fix....it's so irritating pants NEVER fit in the waist for me.

Re: altering pants question

CelticCrafter — Mon, 29 May 2017 21:22:24 GMT

If they don't have side pockets, I would take them in at the side seams and taper the end of it down to a dart like point, finishing up in the actual seam.

Hope that's clearer than mud!

Re: altering pants question

millieshops — Mon, 29 May 2017 21:24:47 GMT

@Mom2DogsSo frustrating, isn't it? Tops seem to be way more accommodating than pants!

Thanks to a medical scare, I'm thinner this summer than last. I know my blood levels have improved. That's all good. I feel better and expect to be told I am better when I see the doctor tomorrow.

Either way, nothing fits well. I actually dug out an old belt to wear with pants that have loops just to hold some pants where they feel more comfortable. But when there are no belt loops, I need the tailor. I never tuck so I don't need the most elegant job, but like you the size 10 is too small except at my waist, so I bought some 12's. Hoping for some magic!

Re: altering pants question

151949 — Mon, 29 May 2017 21:59:15 GMT

I would open the waistband, then do the seam from the front to the back , sew it twice for strength, then cut it to 5/8" .Make the elastic fit your waist and then resew the waistband closed. Really, this is the more difficult way to do this but you won't be sorry you made the effort to do it properly.

Re: altering pants question

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 29 May 2017 22:22:08 GMT

I have taken in lots of pants at the waist, but they did not have the elastic waist.

The problem with this particular pair of pants is the elastic is sewn down at the top and the bottom of the elastic, so it is not simple....it's the elastic that is the problem. I would have to cut the elastic so that the pants would stay flat after altering.

I can 'see' how they are put together but it's intimidating to think about taking them apart. The pants were a bit pricy for me to ruin....I guess there is not an easy fix, I will probably have to take them to a seamstress.

Re: altering pants question

NickNack — Mon, 29 May 2017 22:30:54 GMT

I would definitely take them to a seamstress. I don't sew, but even if I did they sound too complicated to attempt yourself. Every pair of full length pants that I buy are too long for me. I just plan on taking everything to be hemmed. I buy a lot of ankle length pants so I don't have to do that.

Re: altering pants question

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 30 May 2017 00:08:23 GMT

@millieshops...hope your doctor visit goes well tomorrow!

Re: altering pants question

Q4u — Tue, 30 May 2017 00:26:39 GMT

I have done as you've explained, actually taking it in but at the sides, kind of a dart going from the waist band down as long as I needed to depending on how big the hips were. I trimmed the excess. Then I hand sewed a "finish" over the exposed area with a thread that matched the actual pant material. I forget the name of this stitch but you take it into the material and out and put the needle through the loop and it makes a line out of the thread at the top, very neat looking.

There is no easy way to take pants like this in unless you're willing to unpick the entire elastic sewn into the top of the pants. Some of these have rows and rows of stitching. It's expensive to have done as well, but you could ask a seamstress. Don't forget to ask her about the hip line as well (which would be bigger) and may need tapering prior to putting the waistband on again.

I hope you're able to fix your pants.... good luck!

Re: altering pants question

homedecor1 — Tue, 30 May 2017 01:29:59 GMT

I take all my pants to my seamstress. She is reasonable and does a great job!

i never understand why the manufacturers make pants so wide in the leg. She tapers every pair I buy.

Personally, I would take to the tailor (most dry cleaners have them) then they are done correctly.

Re: altering pants question

millieshops — Tue, 30 May 2017 01:48:14 GMT

@Mom2DogsTY me,too. I'm optimistic.

Re: altering pants question

libbyannE — Tue, 30 May 2017 05:42:44 GMT

I have one rule for alterations, which Mother taught me: always use a good tailor!

Re: altering pants question

deedledeedeedle — Tue, 30 May 2017 06:26:36 GMT

The proper way to tailor a pair of droopy slacks is to remove the waistband, cinch up the pants, then re stitch the waistband. This way you are shortening the rise. If you are not comfortable doing this, a seamstress is your best bet.

dee

Re: altering pants question

Mj12 — Tue, 30 May 2017 13:43:31 GMT

@libbyannE wrote:
I have one rule for alterations, which Mother taught me: always use a good tailor!

@libbyannE me too! I am reading these posts and am in awe of the talent so many have to alter clothes. I so wish I could.

Re: altering pants question

chrystaltree — Tue, 30 May 2017 14:59:12 GMT

If you don't how to do it and you like the pants, wouldn't it just be easier to take them to the cleaners have them make the alteration?

Re: altering pants question

millieshops — Tue, 30 May 2017 15:33:24 GMT

@Mom2DogsJust a follow-up regarding my dr visit -he was pleased and still believes the extra risk of stroke given my vascular condition is equal to the risk of stroke with surgery. He and I agreed easily to no surgery! I'm pleased to say the least.

Also, I'm hoping just knowing if I slip badly off my new eating and walking routine, I'm risking surgery at least and worse, a stroke. I actually believe I'm better off having the risk over my head. Maybe weird, but I think I'll stick to my routine more carefully.

Time to talk to the tailor about my pants because he also agreed I'd lost enough weight. First time in many years I've had that message from any doctor!

Re: altering pants question

libbyannE — Tue, 30 May 2017 16:52:37 GMT

@Mj12 wrote:
@libbyannE wrote:
I have one rule for alterations, which Mother taught me: always use a good tailor!
@libbyannE me too! I am reading these posts and am in awe of the talent so many have to alter clothes. I so wish I could.

@Mj12

Hi! I never learned to sew and never wanted to learn. I think it's great if somebody wants to do it, but it wouldn't appeal to me at all. We all have different things we like to do.

Re: altering pants question

Mj12 — Tue, 30 May 2017 16:54:13 GMT

@libbyannE wrote:
@Mj12 wrote:
@libbyannE wrote:
I have one rule for alterations, which Mother taught me: always use a good tailor!
@libbyannE me too! I am reading these posts and am in awe of the talent so many have to alter clothes. I so wish I could.
@Mj12
Hi! I never learned to sew and never wanted to learn. I think it's great if somebody wants to do it, but it wouldn't appeal to me at all. We all have different things we like to do.

Hi @libbyannE same with me. I'm just thinking of all the $$$ I'd be able to save in tailoring lol.