How to Stretch Jeans Out in the Waist

Jeans, as a staple of the wardrobe, have to fit just right. Often you may be between sizes, and the larger size is too big. Or your jeans can shrink in the wash, even if you don't put them in the dryer. Or you may just feel a bit bloated one day, but don't want to buy new jeans. Don't fear--there is a solution.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water
• Wire Hanger or Jean Stretcher

Get Jeans Wet

1. Wet the area that you want to stretch with warm water. If you are trying to elongate them, only wet the legs, and if you are trying to get them over your shoes, wet the bottom part of the legs. If you are trying to make the waist stretch, wet the jeans, from the crotch up. Stretching the height of the part of the jeans that go over your stomach can make them fit better as well as making the waist wider.

2. Pull!! Get someone to help you if you need to, and gently but firmly pull on the dampened section of the fabric. The fabric is wet, therefore you do not need to worry about it tearing unless that area is already torn (be careful if your jeans have holes; they will tear easier).

3. Make your fabric holder. If you have a professional jean stretcher as seen on television, you can skip this step. If not, for waist stretching, fold a wire hanger into the width you would like the waist on your jeans to be. Double cover the hanger on the ends to avoid sharp corners digging into your fabric.

4. Stretch jeans over fabric holder. If you are trying to make them longer, hang them vertically to dry. The weight of the water will help them dry. If you are trying to stretch the waist, put the fabric holder lengthwise, like you would wear the jeans, inside the waistband. Make sure it pulls firmly so it stays in on its own. Hang the jeans to dry.

5. If you can stand the feeling of the damp fabric, put the jeans on while they are almost but not quite dry. This will help them conform to your size. Otherwise, wait until they are completely dry, bend the hanger a bit, and remove.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not depend on this to make too tight jeans from a store fit. It is always better to buy them too big and shrink them, if possible. You can shrink them in only certain areas by only wetting that area and putting them in the dryer. Do not put fitted jeans in the dryer; hang them up.
• Do not fool yourself into thinking you look good in jeans that are way too tight just because you stretched them! Muffin tops are a fashion don't. Size up if necessary. People cannot see the size number on your tag, but they can see the fat over the waist of your jeans.