How Can I Alter My Jeans Without Darts?

Today's denim jeans usually consist of a front and back panel for each leg, a fly-front zipper, a waistband, and front and back pockets. Darts are a quick and easy way to alter the fit of a pair of jeans that have gotten a little too roomy in the waistband. But when the fit needs to be altered dramatically, darts may not be enough. You will need to alter the jeans at the side seams, and adjust the waistband to fit the new waist.

Instructions

1

Turn your jeans inside out, and try them on. Stand in front of a mirror, and examine the fit. Gather and safety-pin the waist and side seams so the jeans fit as close to your body as you want. Remove the pants, and lay them on a flat surface. Measure the amount of fabric you have gathered at both side seams and the waistband. Adjust the pins so the amount you have gathered is the same on both sides.

2

Remove the topstitching from the portions of the waistband that fall between the pins and the original side seams, using a seam ripper. Remove any other stitching that connects those sections of the waistband to the front and back panel of the jeans.

3

Draw a chalk line along the line of safety pins, and replace the safety pins with straight pins. Sew along the chalk line. Cut off the excess fabric, but leave at least a 3/8-inch seam allowance. Zigzag stitch over the new seam allowance to keep it from fraying.

4

Open the waistband and pin it, right sides together, so it lines up with the new side seam. Sew the waistband at the place you pinned. Remove the pin, and cut the excess waistband fabric. Iron the seam open to reduce bulk in the waistband.

5

Turn over the waistband, and pin it to the new side seam. Stitch it to the side seam with matching topstitching thread. Repeat steps 2-5 on the other side seam.

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