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From: jadelittle
Date: 04-27-2007, 06:31 PM (1 of 12)
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hi i have lost some weight recently and am needing some advice on making my favorite pair of jeans smaller. help! |
User: jadelittle
Member since: 12-17-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-27-2007, 11:31 PM (2 of 12)
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Buy new jeans. I have had a little luck with putting darts in the waistband of jeans but when it comes to pants of any kind, short of recutting it is often really difficult to get everything where it needs to be...crotches that go to the knees, baggy seats can be very hard to fix...but in jeans because of the weight, detail and flat fell seams, it can be nigh unto impossible. My suggestion is to wear skirts that are not fitted for a while until your size gets where you want it and then go shopping. If you have just a little weight, the darts will help with the jeans though. 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: Teri
Date: 04-28-2007, 10:15 AM (3 of 12)
Unless you have only gone down one or 2 inches and these are you absolute favorite jeans Paroper is sooo right. I have to take in my jeans all the time because my waist is much smaller proportionally than my backside. The easiest way is to cheat  - cut the back center belt loop off, slice the pants down the back seam to 1.5 inch above the crotch. Cut off the flat felled seam, zz the raw edge and sew a plain seam from the crotch to the waist, sew on the belt loop. This causes a little pleat in the crotch but I'm the only one that knows it's there, also there's a regular seam down the back, most people won't ever notice. I have also unsewed everything and resewed it back up, it's a real PITA and I only do it for clients willing to pay for it.
Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66 
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From: paroper
Date: 04-28-2007, 10:31 AM (4 of 12)
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I think you mean clients that are willing to pay WELL for it.
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: grandma C
Date: 04-28-2007, 11:07 AM (5 of 12)
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At times 3when I needed to make a waist band a little smaller I have just put a little or a lot of elastic through the waist band and pulled it up tight enough to fit. This way I can distribute the alteration over the whole top of the pants. It is an especially good temporary alteration if you are not finished getting your weight balanced out. Belinda/Grandma C 
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User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: jadelittle
Date: 04-28-2007, 04:52 PM (6 of 12)
| thanks for all the advice. i think i will try to adjust them first and if that doesn't work i will buy new jeans. |
User: jadelittle
Member since: 12-17-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: material_pakrat
Date: 04-29-2007, 12:37 PM (7 of 12)
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If it is just the waist, you could do what I have to do for any RTW pants for my daughter. Sew a piece of 1" elastic into both side seams, and put a botton hole in each end. Then sew the button on the inside of the pants so it tightens the waist to the amount required. It is enough so the pants dont fall down, and doesn't really change the way the pants sit.
Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-03-2007, 07:10 PM (8 of 12)
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I have just donated 2 bags full of clothes to the needy, because I have lost 26 pounds, and so far am down 2 whole sizes.. All my jeans look like 6 people moved out of the seat.. I hated to get rid of all those pants, but I was ashamed to be seen in them.. I love the new ones I bought.. They really show me how much better I look.. Had to get new underpants, also.. Boy, does that feel better ! ! ! LOL
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: PaulineG
Date: 05-03-2007, 10:19 PM (9 of 12)
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Just as well Libby - can't think of anything worse than having your underpants falling down as you cross the street. I've never actually seen it but I'm told that Miss Manners (advice columnist) wrote an article years ago that suggested if this happens you should just discreetly step out of them and walk on. I guess this was before elastic. Aren't we lucky. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: blackie
Date: 05-05-2007, 01:45 AM (10 of 12)
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so I'm glad it's being discussed here. I think I'm just going to buy new pants and keep the big ones for now. I'm glad to have read these responses.
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-05-2007, 08:28 PM (11 of 12)
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Blackie, you are young and have a reason to keep larger sizes... (patter of little feet, maybe , again , sometime) but I was diagnosed with diabetes, so I have to keep the weight off or else I'll have to do that finger sticking every day, and I will do anything to keep from having to do that.. For some reason, that hurts worse than any needle I've ever had in my life.. Crazy, isn't it ??? Like me.. LOL That is why I got rid of all my jeans and dress pants.. I'm in the middle of trying to re-make my favorite blouse, but it is slow going.. I would prefer making a garment anytime to haveing to alter one.. Bummer ! ! Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: blackie
Date: 05-05-2007, 10:46 PM (12 of 12)
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I agree with you on alterations. That's why I often sew for the kids - they are so easy to measure and sew successfully for. Me, I always end up with something that isn't "quite right", even when I've made a muslin first! I applaud you for working so hard on your health issues. We recently moved to an area with a lot of obesity and diabetes. It doesn't surprise me the "finger stick" would hurt. Our fingers are very sensitive areas - that's how we can train them to do such meticulous handsewing! see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
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