Altering pants…..I would like to update some pants that have pleats in the front. I’d like to get rid of the pleats to make a flat front. Many of these pants are a bit tight in the waist (I had a baby 2 years ago) so I’d like to let them out anyway. How to go about this, if it’s possible?? Thanks!
Also, I’m new at this…is this the best folder to select for this question?
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Replies
I worked in a mens store for 16 years. This is time-consuming, but it is doable. In my case, I took the front apart, leaving the fly front intact, and moved the rest toward the side seams. The length and construction of the waistband will determine whether the waist can be let out. Obviously, you'll have the fabric in the pant front piece.
You can remove the waistband and add fabric to the underlap to make it a bit longer.
I think pleated pants are probably most flattering on me (show a small waist and camoflouge the extra trip to the buffet!) but have just stored mine until they're back on the fashion front. Meanwhile, here are directions for changing your pleated pant pattern with illustrations -- http://www.silhouettepatterns.com/features/pleatpant/index.htm
Karen
You may be able to remove the pleats and adjust the pants to fit, but you should be aware of a potential problem. When a pattern is drafted to change a basic sloper to a pleated pant, significant amounts of fabric are added to the internal portion of the pattern, extending from the waist right through to the hemline. A new grainline is drawn, at the centre of the hemline and kneeline and extending to the waistline. It is impossible to go backwards on a finished pair of pants because of this. If you just slide the excess fabric out at the side seams, you will distort the grainline through the entire front of the pant. In some fabrics and styles this may not matter much. Or you may not particularly care. But you should enter into this project knowing that the pants may twist in wearing because of this distorted grainline. They could also be uncomfortable. And who knows how they may hang after several wearings and cleanings.
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