If the trousers are too wide, too small or too big in size, or do not fit the figure, alterations to clothing are required. In order to avoid using the services of a tailor, most people think about how to narrow their pants themselves. Further in the article you can read about simple ways to adjust clothing to your figure.
How to Hand Tailor Pants
Tapering trousers is not a big problem, and this procedure can be done at home. However, in this case, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of taking in trousers. When reducing clothes by 1 or 2 sizes, you do not need to do a complete re-cut. In this case, you should take in the trousers along the inner lines, capturing 1.5 cm on each side.
This method is appropriate if the trousers fit perfectly on the figure, but need minor adjustments. For correct tailoring of the product, it is necessary to take measurements and try on. To do this, it is enough to mark the optimal width on the sides, baste with a thread or chalk and make a seam. If you need to narrow the trousers by 3 sizes larger, this option will not work. In this case, you will need to completely rip the trousers and sew a new product.
It is permissible to sew clothes in different directions:
- waist correction;
- along the hips along the entire length or in the waist area;
- by width;
- removal of flares;
- shortening the length of trousers.
The stitching should be done evenly from the inside and side seams. In some cases, it is permissible not to make a pattern if minimal correction of the clothes is required. For example, if you need to narrow the pants at the bottom, insert small darts or change the length. If it is necessary to correct the product in the waist area, a pattern is considered a mandatory procedure. The less you need to change, the easier it will be to alter the trousers.
Preparation of the product:
Stages | Nuances |
Washing | Clothes must be washed. Wool and cotton materials can shrink, so they may not fit properly. |
Ironing | After washing, the pants need to be ironed. This will help prevent errors and uneven stitches. |
Fitting | During the fitting process, it is necessary to mark the excess material. Pins are suitable for fixing. |
To remake clothes, you don’t need to prepare a special device designed for sewing.
To sew up the pants you will need:
- pins with scissors, chalk, tape measure or ruler;
- an iron equipped with a steam mode;
- sewing machine with a seam ripper, needle and threads in 2 shades.
It is not advisable to use a pencil or pen to mark the lines, as this may leave marks. Trousers need to be re-cut if the garment needs to be completely altered, changing the fit with the shape or reducing the trousers by several sizes.
In this case, you will need to completely unpick the old item and sew a new one. This procedure requires a minimum amount of knowledge in sewing and cutting to achieve the desired result. If you have no experience, it is advisable to use the services of a studio or practice on clothes that can be damaged.
How to Taper Trousers
Both experienced and novice seamstresses can narrow trousers at the bottom. To do this, you will need to unravel the bottom edge, then iron the clothes well. It is advisable to measure the trousers from the inside in front of a mirror to make it easier to indicate how much the trousers need to be narrowed. If you need to narrow them a little, you can only make adjustments on one side.
In this case, it is necessary to look at where it will be optimal - along the outer or inner seam. When fixing excess fabric with pins, the actions must be careful, especially when interacting with a material that stretches. If the material is slightly stretched, the seam will be crooked. If the clothes do not stretch, the legs should easily fit into the trousers.
Operating algorithm:
- Carefully remove clothing and straighten pants on a hard surface.
- Draw a line along the selected area using chalk. Mark a second line for the seam.
- Basting should be done along the first line with threads.
- Try on the trousers again to check for comfortable wearing. Make adjustments if necessary.
- Remove excess material and finish the edges with an overlock.
- Sew the product on a sewing machine.
Adjustment from both sides is required if a lot of stitching is required. In this case, all manipulations will be the same, but only for each side and at the same distance, otherwise the seams will be crooked. Additionally, it is necessary to process and iron the lower edge.
A few years ago, flared trousers were in high demand. In order for this clothing model to become a fashionable and stylish wardrobe item again, the product needs to be narrowed towards the bottom.
Step by step description:
- Try on the trousers from the inside out, pinning any extra areas. Initially, do all the work on one leg.
- Use a piece of soap to mark new lines. Join the 2 legs together, transferring the lines to the second part of the trousers.
- Manually baste with contrasting threads and try on the garment again. If necessary, make adjustments by removing the old baste and making a new one.
- Sew new seams using a sewing machine and finish the edges with a zigzag stitch.
Ready.
Sew on the sides along the entire length
It is permissible to narrow trousers along the outer seam if the trousers are large due to insufficient volume in the hip area.
Step by step description:
- Turn the clothes inside out. Try them on. Additionally, do a few squats and steps.
- Use pins to mark the areas by which the garment needs to be reduced. To prevent crooked areas, distribute the pins at an equal distance.
- Using chalk, draw a straight line, sweeping the marked areas with your hands.
- Turn the trousers inside out and try them on.
- Rip open the factory seam and stitch along the marked line along the entire length of the leg to prevent the appearance of slanted areas.
- Remove excess material and finish the edges.
- Sew the belt to the bottom edge of the garment.
- Do the same with the second leg. As a result, the trousers should have the same length.

If there are decorative elements on the clothes, the outer seams cannot be replaced. Stitching is required along the line from the inside. This work is carried out if there are problems with the waist.
Work scheme:
- Turn the garment inside out, try it on and mark off any excess material.
- Take off your trousers and place them on the table.
- To separate the belt, cut this piece into 2 parts from the back side.
- Apply a new seam to both legs using a needle and thread.
- Remove unnecessary material and process the edges.
- Sew the garment and secure the belt.
If the pants are flared from the hip or you need to take in the clothes by 2 sizes, you need to use internal and external seams. All actions will be similar to the process of stitching the seam on the sides. However, you need to distribute it over all the lines. If the pants have an elastic band and you need to reduce the size of the clothes, you must first remove the elastic band and rip off the belt.
Afterwards, the product can be sewn in different ways:
- along the middle line, if the belt was sewn in at the back and in the front;
- step seams;
- seams on the sides, which are located on the outside.
It is not recommended to take in trousers with elastic along the darts, because you can ruin the clothes.
Without taking into account the sewing area of the product, the work algorithm will be almost the same:
- First, determine the side on which you want to make the seam.
- Unpick the belt. Turn the garment inside out, pinning the excess material.
- Baste a new line, cut off unnecessary material. Process the cut areas.
- When finished, sew the belt back in place.
- Iron the new line.
Sewing along darts
If the pants are big at the waist, but fit well around the hips, legs and buttocks, this problem can be solved without using a sewing machine. To remove a few centimeters from the waist, you can use a wide elastic band. In this case, you will need to attach 7 cm of elastic to the waistband at the back in the center on the inside.
In this case, this part should be stretched well. When the elastic returns to its original position, the belt will be tightened. As a result, it will decrease in size and will not stick out at the waist.
It is permissible to narrow trousers at the back along the side darts. This method is appropriate for any models of men's or women's trousers made of denim. To do this, you need to try on the product and estimate how much the clothes need to be taken in. Often, excess material is reduced by unpicking old darts or adding new ones.
Step by step description:
- Iron the trousers and try them on, marking any excess material on the garment. The ends of the darts may extend onto the seams on the sides, but it is advisable to prevent this, because the trousers may be skewed and unsightly folds will appear.
- Unravel the harness and belt. Baste the necessary seams and remove excess material.
- Use a sewing machine to sew the darts.
- Cut the belt on each side, cutting off unnecessary material.
- Sew the ends at the belt and clothing.
- Carefully sew the belt to the pants along the line and secure the strap.
Due to the back seam
It is possible to narrow clothes at the waist by several sizes using the back seam. As a result, the trousers will fit perfectly on the figure, and the seam will not be visible.
Step by step instructions:
- Try on the product and mark the places for stitching.
- After removing the trousers, untie the belt fasteners with the belt. Cut the latter into 2 parts.
- Unpick the line on the middle seam. Sew the seam to the marked distance.
- Reduce the belt and process it by stitching it with a sewing machine.
- Attach the belt to the main clothing.
- Perform restoration of belt fasteners.
How to hem trousers with a blind stitch on a sewing machine
Using a sewing machine, it is possible to hem trousers with a blind stitch.
In this case, this task in the initial process will coincide with other works of this type:
- First, you need to try on the pants, during which you need to fit them, marking the lower area at the level of the middle of the heel;
- using chalk, you should make markings and fold the clothes;
- The fold line must be fixed with white threads.
Once the preparatory work is completed, it is permissible to move on to the main part.
Algorithm for sewing a product with a blind stitch on a machine:
- Attach a foot designed for straight stitches.
- Remove the removable part on the sewing machine by selecting the settings for straight stitches.
- Sew the trouser tape around the circumference. The marked line should be on the left side.
- Replace the foot with a blind hem foot, selecting the appropriate settings. The result should be a zigzag.
- Secure the edges with pins, turning the pants inside out.
- The width of the protruding edge should be no more than 7 mm. Sew the edge around the circumference.
- Do the same with the second leg, hemming the garment with a hidden tape.
Take in sweatpants
When taking in sweatpants, it is necessary to take into account the cut and nature of the garment. Additionally, it is necessary to take into account the style of the trousers, which can be with ties, elastic or straight. If the sportswear is tight, a complete re-cut is required. For trousers made in an oriental style, only the crotch and side seams will need to be changed. In this case, the product can be narrowed or slightly taken in.
If the trousers are wide at the hips, the seams on the sides should be changed. In this case, you need to put the trousers on and mark the excess material with pins. After removing, the product should be turned inside out and smoothed out on any hard, flat surface. To highlight the boundaries of excess material, it is recommended to use a piece of soap, having previously removed the pins. Basting should be done along the lines.
To ensure that the pants fit perfectly after work, the clothes need to be carefully tried on and adjusted if necessary. Additionally, it is necessary to rip the edges with the belt, crotch and side seams. Afterwards, it is necessary to stitch the clothes on a sewing machine, processing the edges with an overlock. There should be excess material left at the waist of the pants, which can be cut off. It is imperative to sew the edges.
If there was an elastic band, this part is subject to replacement. During the work, it is recommended to check that the clothes retain a beautiful appearance and perfectly highlight the silhouette of the figure. If the pants are very long, the product can be shortened. The elastic band can easily be transferred to the lower part of the trousers. At the same time, tapered sportswear is in great demand among teenagers.
Operating algorithm:
- Mark the length and cut off unnecessary material.
- Select new seam lines.
- Secure the sections with pins or baste them.
- Cut off the excess material.
- Stitch the product on a sewing machine.
- Once finished, sew on the cuffs.
Fashion is not constant, because adjustments are made almost every day. However, not everyone manages to regularly change their wardrobe, following fashionable novelties. Any clothes can be updated with your own hands to suit different tastes. In this case, you will only need desire, a minimum amount of knowledge and the availability of appropriate tools with material.
The nuances of working with classic trousers
Standard re-cutting methods are suitable for sewing classic-cut trousers.
To ensure that your clothes fit your figure perfectly after the correction, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the specifics of working with classic trousers:
- In the process of decreasing in the hip lines located along the side seams, it is necessary to rip the crotch seam. Due to such manipulations, unwanted creases will be eliminated.
- The lower edges should not be wider than 15-18 cm.
- When measuring the knee circumference, it is advisable to add 2-3 cm. This will ensure that the clothes fit tightly and do not restrict movement.
- When creating new patterns, it is necessary to mark the knee line. Thanks to this, it is possible to more accurately determine the area of new seams.
If you measure the proportions precisely, the pants will fit perfectly and match your body type. Pants are considered an integral part of the wardrobe because they are universal and allow you to create any look. However, sometimes you can’t choose a thing that will perfectly match your body type, or you unexpectedly lose weight.
In this regard, it is necessary to narrow the trousers to correct the width and length of the garment. If you have experience and the appropriate materials with tools, the work can be done by hand or you can seek help from an experienced specialist in a studio.
Video on how to tapered pants
How to make classic trousers narrower: