Question for our sewists

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April

Veteran

I have resolved to stop wearing ill-fitting jeans and I have a question.

Invariably, the issue I encounter is that if the waist fits, the hip and seat are too big.

I seem to remember that this issue is resolved by a nip in the center seam of the seat - is this correct? Is it a tricky/expensive fix?

1 week ago

General

5 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

April, when my clients have this alteration done - (the waist fits but the rest is too roomy) - they have the seat fixed just as your mentioned, and the side seams taken in at the hips.

Curious to hear what the sewists suggest!

1 week ago

Roberta

Veteran

If your jeans have a waistband and a yoke at the back, all that top stitching can be a problem if you want to take the jeans in at the back. There's the waistband and a belt loop and it's a headache. For that, I would take it to a professional. My barrel jeans, for example, have a facing instead of a waistband and no belt loops, so they would not be difficult to take in on the back.

And exactly what Angie says, don't do all the alteration at one location. Have them taken in a little bit at the hips too.

1 week ago

April

Veteran

Thanks, Angie and Roberta!

1 week ago

LJP

Veteran

Actually this is a tricky alteration for anyone other than a professional who has the sewing machines and attachments necessary for a folded and enclosed side seam ( I have them but sewing on heavy denim is no easy feat - especially removing the existing topstitching and undoing the seams .) the commercial machines that perform the enclosed / folded side seam and topstitch it at the same time actually cut away excess fabric as it sews - another factor that makes this tricky . I’d fit jeans to the hips and bum and alter the waist instead ( inserting a v panel in the back of the waistband etc) .

1 week ago

RobinF

Veteran

Jeans can be more difficult to alter than regular pants, as has been said above, all that topstitching and the heavier fabric make it a complicated project. I have the same issue that you do - waist vs. hips. I have taken in side seams but that can interfere with the pockets. I am more likely to do that with pants that are not denim though.

1 week ago

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