How to Make Trousers With a Wider Waist
Waistbands on many manufactured trousers range from 1 to 2 inches in width. There are times when the width of the manufactured waistbands are too narrow especially for individuals who have had surgery on their stomach or back. The width of the waistband cuts into the scar tissue and causes pain. A fix to the problem is removing the waistband and sewing a wider waistband from a piece of fabric similar to the trouser material.
Things You'll Need
- Seam ripper
- Fabric tape measure or yardstick
- Fabric
- Straight pins
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Thread
Instructions
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1
Turn the trousers inside out. Remove the seam that connects the waistband and belt loops with a seam ripper.
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2
Measure the length of the waistband. Add 1 1/4 inches to the length. For example, the length of the waistband is 34 inches. Add 1 1/4 inches to 34 inches for a total of 35 1/4 inches.
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3
Determine the width of the new waistband. Double the desired width. Add 1 1/4 inches to the doubled measurement to allow for the seam. For example, the desired waistband width is 2 inches. Double the width for a total of 4 inches. Add 1 1/4 inches to the width for a total of 5 1/4 inches.
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4
Measure and cut a strip of fabric the determined width and length. In this example, the fabric strip is 5 1/4-by-35 1/4 inches.
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5
Place the cut strip on a flat work surface so the long edges are on the horizontal axis and the front side of the fabric is facing down. Fold the bottom edge up 5/8 of an inch and pin it in place. Iron the fold and remove the pins.
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6
Turn the trousers right-side out. Turn the waistband strip so the front side of the fabric is facing down. Match the long raw edge of the strip to the top edge of the trousers. Center the fabric so 5/8 inch of the strip extends past the front opening. Pin it into place with straight pins.
If no front opening is present, sew the 5 1/4-inch ends together using a 5/8-inch straight seam. Turn the fabric so the seam is visible. Match the raw edge of the strip to the waist area on the trousers. Pin it into place with straight pins.
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7
Sew the strip to the waist on the trousers with a 5/8-inch straight seam.
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8
Fold the waistband up so the pressed folded edge extends past the waistband of the trousers by 4 5/8 inches. Press along the folded seam making sure the sewn seam on the back is pointing toward the folded edge on the waistband.
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9
Turn the pressed folded edge on the top of the waistband down and toward you until it is even with the pressed seam. Pin the two short ends. Sew a 5/8-inch straight seam along both short edges. After this process, the waistband appears to be on the trousers inside out.
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10
Turn the pressed folded edge of the waistband up and to the inside of the trousers. Tuck the sewn ends inside of the waistband during the turning process. Pin the pressed folded edge of the waistband to the trousers even with the first seam.
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11
Turn the trousers inside-out. Position the pressure foot even with the pressed folded edge of the waistband. Sew a straight seam around the waistband to secure it in place.
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Tips & Warnings
Add a button hole, button and snap in the original location after the waistband is sewn in place.
