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weight loss, reducing clothes

tricone | Posted in General Sewing Info on

Hi all
Has anyone taking in jeans that are too big for you.?
I have lost weight recently, (phew, half way there) but my clothes are getting loose and i dont want to buy new ones just yet, but i do want to take in some jeans. I think i got to reduce about two sizes.

1. If i take off the band, can i just take them in at each side of the legs, ie the 2 outter sides.
2.Do i need to reduce the crotch area? If so how?
3 Am i better off ripping them all apart and remaking them.

Thanks a million in advance
xx happy sewing…..

Replies

  1. Susan -homedecsewing | | #1

    I have lost and gained too many times to mention, but what the heck, you can't wear them the way they fit now. I would pin and then try them on. I have also used a very long stitch to baste first . you can rip out the waistband thru the back and sides, leaving front attached, until you take in the sides, then take in the waist to fit , then re-attach. I would not mess with a jean double seam,they rarely look good unless you have a walking foot industrial machine , steer clear. You can make darts in the back before putting the waistband back on. It sure helps to have a friend help with a fitting.You only learn by trying, go for it.Good luck and congrates on your weight loss. I'm trying again also. Susan

  2. Teaf5 | | #2

    Congratulations on your weight loss!I remake almost every pair of jeans, either because my body changes or because I can't afford the few brands that fit the way I need them to. Before you start, however, buy yourself one new pair that fits your new body as a reward AND as a model for your old ones.Some ways to refit include: take darts in the waistband on both sides of the center back. Two 1/2" deep darts will take up two full inches in width and will keep the jeans from sliding off your hips. That means the rest of the legs will be still be loose. Darts of heavy denim can be uncomfortable, but you can slash and trim them to be less so. (After all, these are temporary, right?)Most jeans have the plain seam on the outside, so you can take in a lot of looseness there, but sometimes you have to start below the pocket area or have to lose the rivets if you start at the waistline.If you are taking in the entire outside seams, it's best to take off the waistband and belt loops first. Then, instead of darting the waistband to make it smaller, you can seam it on each side of the center back to reduce it to the new correct length.In my transition pants/jeans, I took off the waistband, refitted the rest, and replaced the waistband with a facing made from a nice firm fabric. Since my tops usually cover the waistband anyway, no one missed the waistband and loops, and my tops looked smoother, too.If the seat area is too big, lowering the waistline by removing the band and reattaching it lower will take out extra fabric. If you are reducing by at least one inch, it is also possible to restitch the entire inseam and then cut off that double seam.In short, denim is a great fabric, and you can do just about anything with a pair of jeans. If you can tell us the brand of jeans you are working with, someone probably knows something about them. Again, congrats!

    1. tricone | | #3

      Hi all Thanks a million for your replies.
      Here is what i did ,
      I undid the waist band just above the outer seam i was taking in. Approximately 1 inch each side of the seam.
      Took both outer seams in straight down the leg and then re attached the band.
      Luckily the band had some elastic on the sides so i don't even notice the reduction .
      Now I hope i keep the weight off this time !!.

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