A short while ago, Fran asked about letting the waist out on men's trousers. This is an easy alteration and I've had a pair in to alter so I thought I'd show you how easy it is.
There's not a lot to let out on this pair, but I'll do as I've been asked.
Firstly you need to unpick the row of stitching which is holding the waistband facing down...roughly between where I've put the pins... and the little bar tacks which are holding the tops of the belt loops in place.
When you've opened up the waistband, you sometimes find that there isn't as much fabric to let out as you thought. It might have been cut away, but this pair is O.K.
I'm only going to get about an inch, but it might be enough to give a bit of ease.
The stitching has started to come undone slightly on this pair, where the waistband attaches to the facing, so I need to restitch it to make it secure, so I undo the back seam from the top of the waist down about 3 inches...and restitch.
Once that's done, it's time to pin the half an inch, on the double to gain the extra inch...I place pins horizontally at the point of the waistband seams to try to ensure I match the joins neatly.
Try to run a neat line down...if you run the angle off too quickly you'll end up with a funny shaped seat.....Machine from the top of the band, down, then I always go straight back up again. Hopefully this should give a strong seam which won't cause any embarrassing wardrobe fails when bending over.
Unpick the old seam and press.
All you need to do then is to restitch your waistband facing back down and re-attach the belt loops.
All done.
Taking in the waist is just the same and just as easy a job, but obviously in reverse.
Depending on how much you've needed to take in, you might need to trim some of the excess fabric away. Also, remember when taking in, that back pockets will pull closer together and can sometimes look a bit odd.
Sandra.
xxx