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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: blackie
Date: 07-10-2006, 11:45 AM (1 of 12)
Does anyone know an easy way to put an adjustable waist in a pair of pants that doesn't have one? I finished making Sophie two of these pair of pants:

http://www.ottobredesign.com/lehdet_js/2004_4/sivut/6.jpg.

They are too roomy in the waist. The rise, length, etc is pefect in every way, and I'm sure she will grow into the waist soon enough (at which point I can let the pants hem down further).

What is an easy fix to keep these on her body? I used safety pins with the last pair.

Help!
see the mundane life of a housewife.
User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004
Total posts: 594
From: MaryW
Date: 07-10-2006, 11:53 AM (2 of 12)
Are there pockets front and back?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: blackie
Date: 07-10-2006, 12:11 PM (3 of 12)
Yes, pockets both front and back.
see the mundane life of a housewife.
User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004
Total posts: 594
From: paroper
Date: 07-10-2006, 12:11 PM (4 of 12)
What happens if you run elastic in the back or side of the waistband?
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: blackie
Date: 07-10-2006, 12:48 PM (5 of 12)
The waistband is assembled. I don't want to take it out again. But perhaps I will have to!
see the mundane life of a housewife.
User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004
Total posts: 594
From: Mom of Six
Date: 07-10-2006, 01:02 PM (6 of 12)
If you don't want to take it off you can make a couple of slits inside the waistband & run the elastic through them. Then zig zag the ends down. The stitches will show through to the outside but you can cover them with a belt.
Or you could run bias tape inside & the elastic through that. then take it out if she gets bigger.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!!
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001
Total posts: 1115
From: stephi
Date: 07-10-2006, 01:54 PM (7 of 12)
I have cheated with my Ds pants that have the same problem....

I cut two peices of fabric in a rectangle about 3" long and wide enough that I can put in a seam and it be a little thinner than the original waiste. Then I stitch the top and bottom to the inside of the "waiste area" leaving what looks like a long belt loop. Then I run elastic through it and stich one side, with the material, then pull it tight and stich the other with the material :up: This hides the elastic and all you have to do is seam rip one side when they get tight!!

I gennerally put them on either side of the pants. I stole this Idea from a kids clothing company that makes adjustable waist bands using basicly the same thing only they put buttons in so you can pull it tight and expand with the growing belly. My D will only wear dresses right now but I think there may still be a pair of school pants in her closet, I will get some pics if this confuses you.
Stephi

"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it"

"if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten"
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006
Total posts: 361
From: blackie
Date: 07-10-2006, 02:49 PM (8 of 12)
Mom of 6, stephi -

you guys rock! Will post with results here.
see the mundane life of a housewife.
User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004
Total posts: 594
From: stephi
Date: 07-10-2006, 03:29 PM (9 of 12)
Blackie, you are the only one who thinks that of me, LOL!!!

But in any case YVW, hope it helps :up:
Stephi

"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it"

"if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten"
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006
Total posts: 361
From: Mom of Six
Date: 07-10-2006, 08:20 PM (10 of 12)
Your welcome! Hope it works. Remember this trick again in a few yrs. when your baby becomes a young woman. The waist shrinks & all the pants fall. I just used this trick last week for DD(14&3/4).
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!!
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001
Total posts: 1115
From: kt53sew
Date: 07-12-2006, 09:20 AM (11 of 12)
HI I own a tailor shop and when moms bring in the kids clothes that are to big I pop open about an inch or so at both side seams and slip a peice of 3/4 elastic inside stitch at side seam through all layers [to anchor that side] and then slip out other side and then sew thru all layers at that side seam and resew waist band. all done in about 15 minutes. A quick fix. Katie
User: kt53sew
Member since: 02-13-2004
Total posts: 19
From: mommydionne
Date: 07-13-2006, 06:12 PM (12 of 12)
I do that all the time (think 4 skinny no bum kids, even the diaper won't help #4 keep his pants up) good luck!
Jeanette
User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004
Total posts: 838
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