Tailoring jeans - YouLookFab Forum

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Tailoring jeans

Runcarla

Veteran

I bought a pair of MAC jeans fall 2019, and though I really liked them (25 wears since I started counting Jan 1) I became frustrated that they grew a size or two with body heat. When they survived 5 days of a painting project without spatters, it was a sign that they deserved to be saved.

After searching the internet for tailoring solutions, I settled on taking off the belt loop, opening up the waist band, opening up the butt seam, cutting out a wedge of fabric, and reassembling the whole. It took me about 2-2.5 hours. Matching up the horizontal seams was the trickiest (I had to unpick my first attempt). Now they fit perfectly around the waist!

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

VERT nicely done, you clever gal!

slim cat

Veteran

Pretty jeans - glad you are saving it. Nicely done!

Synne

Veteran

Excellent, Runcarla!

I literally just did the same. I was pondering ordering new summer jeans, but didn't pull the trigger on ordering becouse of .. everything! And I DO also have an old pair of ecru jeans put away in the holding-zone that didn't fit anymore. I sewed two quick darts, and voila! My sewing machine (and modest sewing skills) has been a great investment!

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Runcarla

Veteran

Well done Synne! I’ve gone down a Pinterest/YouTube rabbit hole of sewists who repurpose thrifted item, and now I’m looking in my closet as well as those of DH and the DS’s to see if there is anything interesting to work with!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Very nice! I have altered my own pants many times. Hooray for a perfect fit!

nemosmom

Veteran

You did a great job, Carla! Is there a floral (palm??) print on your mac jeans?? I never would have known you had re-sewn the seam, if you had not said so!

I was looking at ways to re-purpose old jeans and am thinking of making a denim midi or a bag (tote or cross body) from some old pairs that no longer fit.

MsMaven

Veteran

Excellent. I killed my sewing machine--an old one--nearly 20 years ago making a bedspread. Lately since our alterations person closed her shop, I've been thinking it might be worthwhile to buy a new portable.

It would just be for alterations and hemming. Any recommendations?

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I have to pay someone to do this - really nice work.

karen13

Veteran

Nice work gals! I am accumulating some mending and plan on getting some quality sewing time in this week.

Style Fan

Veteran

Great job, Carla. I had a seamstress do this once. I have some pants that need altering. I am not attempting it myself. I know my talents.

JAileen

Veteran

Great job!

And Synne, great job!

Runcarla

Veteran

@nemosmon - yes, they are patterned. It looks like a chrysanthemum and a palm leaf motif. (I bought them in a local independent shop, and couldn’t find them on the MAC site).

@MsMaven - I bought a Basic Singer when I was in my early 20’s but upgraded to a robust Pfaff in my early 40’s. Although tempted by the bells and whistles of the computerized models, I resisted and picked a mechanical model. My service guy likes it!

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Staysfit

Veteran

Runcarla, that’s amazing! I was thinking of experimenting by trying to alter some of the clothes in my giveaway bin if I ever get the time! My big fit issues are usually adding length to sleeves or jeans, or shortening them.

Jane

Veteran

Goodness, that is so so neat. Seriously impressive sewing skills.

Joy

Veteran

Excellent! You did a great job.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Very impressive!

Gretchen

Veteran

Well done! I find this is the alteration I most need done on work pants. Maybe I should try to learn to do myself - would save on the tailoring budget!

notsaf

Veteran

AMAZING, Carla! I wish had the skills and tools to do this: this an alteration I often need. Impressive!

lyn67

Veteran

Congrats that's an excellent job! And why not??? But have a question, how could you reasembled without cutting out from the waistband, too?

Helena

Veteran

A woman of many talents!!

Joyce B

Veteran

Great job! I need to learn to sew.

anne

Veteran

I am so impressed by this. I have the same fitting challenge and have altered skirts, but jeans are next level. Do you need a special foot on your sewing machine? I think mine would break!

Runcarla

Veteran

@lyn67 - a piece was cut out of the waistband as well, but the seam was covered when I re-attached the belt loop. I did not add a photo ‘cause it was a bit out of focus (see below) but you can just make it out.

@anne - no special foot, but I did sew slowly when going over thicker sections.

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Chris987

Veteran

Great job Carla!

There is another method I've used, which is simpler and much faster. You basically add two waist darts on either side of the back center seam, without taking anything apart first. It's a little harder to do on thicker denim fabric, and it might look a little less "perfect" to some than your method. I've had to do this sort of alteration on pants for my whole life and have used the double dart method most of the time.