How to Take in Pants

When taking pants in, find out how much you need to take in. The best location to take pants in are the center back seam. Men's and women's pants can be taken in up to about 2 inches without affecting the overall fit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• seam ripper
• scissors
• pins
• sewing machine
• thread
• fabric pencil

1. First, have the person try on the pants to see how much needs to be adjusted. If there's a belt loop at the center back, take it off carefully with your seam ripper.
2. Take out some of the stitching of the waistband facing with the seam ripper. About 2-3 inches. Then remove stitching from the center seam almost down to the crotch.
3. On the inside of the pants, mark a line where you think the new seam should go. Starting at the top, draw a curve on each side with your fabric pencil eventually meeting your old seam. If you just want to take in the waist, start the line at the top and within an inch or two meet it to your original seam. Then pin the seam together and sew in place.
4. Sew the waistband back together where you took out the seam. Have the person try on the pants to see if it's a good fit.
5. Lastly, take the belt loop you removed and position it centered between the middle two belt loops on the center back waistband.

Tips & Warnings

• Adult clothes always have seemed to be more difficult to alter due to many different body shapes. If you are uneasy about making alterations, try hand sewing the adjustment first. This way, if it is not to your liking, it will be easier to rip out with your seam ripper and the fabric will be less likely to fray or be damaged. Then after you are happy with your hand basted adjustment you can sew over it with the machine so the hems are nice and secure.
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