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From: SammyeGail
Date: 11-14-2006, 10:00 AM (1 of 4)
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Hi! I have twin boys. I purchased some pants for them that have elastic all the way around the waist. Its a huge pain the get them over their diapers and I think the tight waist is too tight on their tummies. So I want to get rid of the elastic on the front. I've thought of 2 options. Stretch the elastic out as I sew and put 2 long Xs (tight zip-zag) on each side of the fake button. I don't even know if this would work. Butcher the pants. Make some slits where the pants meet on the side, ripe out all the stitching on the front and try to take the elastic out. I would then sew some tight zig-zags where I cut the slits. I was wondering which do you more experienced sewers would recommend. Would the big X's work? I was thinking for 'resale' I could later take these out and the pants not look so bad. If I butcher them, resale is out, lol! Thanks for any advice, Samantha |
User: SammyeGail
Member since: 08-28-2006 Total posts: 19 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 11-14-2006, 10:49 AM (2 of 4)
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If you want to keep the elastic in the back sew up and down through it before you cut and pull the elastic out in the front on either side. But It might make it a little loose and you may have to make a dart or two. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: sewinglady4u
Date: 11-15-2006, 05:35 PM (3 of 4)
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If there are a few rows of stitching thru the elastic, it is probably a chain stitch and can be easily removed. Just start where you think you want to loosen it up, but make sure you don't keep pulling past where you want to stop. Sewing a straight line down both sides where you want to stop will keep you from doing that. And I wouldn't cut the fabric, I would open up the seam a little into the waistband and snip the elastic on either side and take it out. Then you can sew that seam shut and zig zag over it if it was overlocked. You'll also have to sew over the ends of the remaining stiching in the elastic to keep the chain stitch from coming out. And if I wanted to make the job even easier, I would just remove all the stitching and that piece of elastic, and re-insert a bigger pc. of elastic in there. Typed directions sound so complicated, but when you get into the project, it really shouldn't be that bad for you to do. It just sounds scarey to tear something apart.  Let us know how they turn out!  Pam |
User: sewinglady4u
Member since: 10-07-2005 Total posts: 18 |
From: SammyeGail
Date: 11-16-2006, 02:56 PM (4 of 4)
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Thank you both so much for replying! Pam, I have one of the pairs of pants right here beside the computer, I completely understood what you suggested after reading and looking at the pants about 3 times, lol! At least I got it. It is a chain stitch. I think I'll start in the center and gradually go out. This pair already has a hole where the waistband is attached, ARG!! I'm not concerned about resale anymore, I just want to be able to us these. They can go to goodwill afterwards : ). Samantha |
User: SammyeGail
Member since: 08-28-2006 Total posts: 19 |
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