https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:33:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-682470 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:57:51 +0000 Jjsloane 682470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You do rock! Do you accept orders? I sew, but really basic stuff like ripped seams, buttons and straight stitch (machine) quilting. Terrified of anything tailored. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-682461 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:50:39 +0000 Isis 682461@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are very brave, Ms. S! Great job! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-682442 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:39:39 +0000 sarah 682442@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, all, I'm glad you found it useful.</p> <p>Claire, I'm especially proud that I achieved approval from the DIY Alterations Queen Herself! I'm not I could turn a caftan into a blouse any time soon, however. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-682441 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:39:31 +0000 Sylvie 682441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That was a great tutorial. Thank you for taking such clear photos for us, as I have to confess I was not able to follow along just based on the written description. But the photos + descriptions made it all clear! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-682420 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:15:37 +0000 nancylee 682420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am in awe of anyone who can alter or sew clothes. You are a true wonder woman, Sarah! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-682417 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:13:40 +0000 Angie 682417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You rock!</p> <p>But then you know that </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-682176 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:00:10 +0000 fern 682176@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah, these look fantastic.<br /> Thanks for posting the tutorial - and I've been looking for plaid pants. Hmmm. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-682072 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:14:58 +0000 Anonymous 682072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you SO much Sarah! You do nice work! At first I thought you just made them into straight legs, but the pattern of the plaid shows that you actually tapered them. I bet the grid actually helped you draw your lines. This is a great stop-gap until tapered dress pants become more readily available! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-682038 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:18:32 +0000 MNsara 682038@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brilliant!! Love the step-by-step and the pictorial guide :-)</p> <p>I choke a little at Pic 7 , the cutting of the fabric, because it is SO final! But if I start with pants that I already own it would be easier. .</p> <p>Great job and great results, sarah! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-681940 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 06:33:25 +0000 Deborah 681940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awesome! Bookmarking this for future reference. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-681909 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:54:23 +0000 JR 681909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-681905 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:30:28 +0000 AJ 681905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much for the tutorial! I need to just get over my perfectionist nerves and try this! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-681903 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:27:07 +0000 christy 681903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah, what a great tutorial! Unfortunately I *just* donated a pair of pants that I should have tried this on. Bummer!</p> <p>Can't wait to see the finished product on you (when it's less than 90 degrees of course!). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-681902 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:17:34 +0000 Beth Ann 681902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Score! I'll be trying this later in the fall! Thanks, Sarah. BTW -- I love this plaid. It's subtle and a little feminine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-diy-trouser-alteration#post-681884 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 03:50:21 +0000 sarah 681884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Some of you requested a step-by-step guide to turning my bootleg trousers from NAS into a narrower leg. So, here it is!</p> <p>These are the original <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-quinn-plaid-straight-leg-pants/3282148?origin=category&amp;fashionColor=&amp;resultback=4146">Halogen trousers</a>.</p> <p>Although the description says "straight leg", they are really a boot cut. But I wanted trousers like <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2012/07/21/ensemble-the-semi-structured-trouser-look/">Angie's Theory trousers</a>.</p> <p>So, I decided to narrow the legs on the Halogen trousers.</p> <p>Step #1: Let out the existing hem, and press the seams closed, so that the pant legs lie flat. (Photo 1)</p> <p>Step #2: Mark the new width along the crease made by the hem (which is now unhemmed). I chose to narrow mine to the width of Angie’s Theory pants (circumference at leg opening = 13.5”). Because the side seams were simple side seams, I came in from both sides. With the pants lying flat, the current width between the seams was 9.5” (Photo 2).</p> <p>9.5 – (13.5/2) = 2 ¾”. I split the difference of 2 ¾” between the two sides, so I marked each side at 1 3/8” in from the side seam (Photo 3). Be sure to mark at the bottom of what will be the new hem, rather than at the bottom of the unhemmed leg.</p> <p>Step #3: Decide where to start the taper. I always sort of eyeball where exactly I connect the line with the sideseam to ensure that there will be a smooth transition from the new ankle width to the existing side seam, but it usually ends around mid-thigh (Photo 4). With a dressmaker’s pencil, draw a line that connects the mark at the bottom with the spot mid-thigh where your new seam will join up with the existing side seam, on each side of each leg (Photo 5). Because the two sides of each pant leg are different widths, be sure to flatten and smooth each side before marking (there will likely be extra fabric on the back side of the pants that you don’t want to catch in your seam). Pin the line you’ve drawn to help the pants lie flat for sewing (Photo 6).</p> <p>Step #4: Sew a seam on each of the lines you’ve drawn. When you get to what will be the bottom of the hemmed pants, stop tapering and sew straight down to the raw edge (or even taper back the other way a bit), so that the pants will hem smoothly.</p> <p>Step #5: Trim away the excess seam allowance and finish each raw edge (e.g. with a zig zag stitch). (Photo 7)</p> <p>Step #6: Press the seams open on each side of each leg.</p> <p>Step #7: Hem and wear, once the temperature drops below 90 degrees! (Photo 8) Sorry I didn't have time to post a "styled" photo! Actually it was just too hot.</p> <p>Be sure to post your trouser narrowing projects! </p>