After hours of shopping, you have finally found a decent pair of jeans, but they are a bit too roomy.Maybe you found an old pair of jeans while cleaning out your closet, but they are out of date.Is it a lost cause?Not quite!You can change your jeans at home.The roominess can be fixed if it's in the waist.You just need hot water, laundry appliances, and a sewing machine.
Step 1: You can wash your jeans in hot water.
You shouldn't share the wash with any other clothes.It is not a good idea to use fabric softener.The tumbling action of the washing machine shrinks the fibers.If you don't have a front- loader at home, you can try one at the laundromat.Your jeans need to be washed inside out.It reduces wear on the jeans.The method doesn't work well for jeans with synthetic fibers.You could put your jeans in a bucket of hot water.The jeans should be put into the water.The jeans should be submerged completely with a wooden spoon.After the water cools, pull them out.
Step 2: The jeans should be put into the dryer.
They should be dry on the hottest setting.The longer the drying time, the better.The first thing to do is read the label.It's a risk to make them too small in the dryer if it says don't tumble dry.If this is the case, air dry them.
Step 3: You can try on the jeans.
Your jeans should be tighter.You should be able to walk and run in them.This method doesn't last very long.The jeans will slip back to their original shape.The strength and appearance of your jeans diminish with each wash.Don't use this method a lot.
Step 4: Your jeans should be boiled.
This step is helpful with jeans that are hard to tighten.You can use a pot that is large enough to fit jeans.Bring it to a rolling boil by filling it with water.The pot should be monitored regularly.If needed, add more water.Lower the heat after the water reaches a boil.Continue to cook for 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 5: You can try on jeans inside.
If you Button or Zip them up, they will fall as they would when you wear them.There is a mirror in front of you.Take a look at the areas where you would like the jeans to be more snug.When you turn your jeans inside-out, remember that your left leg is your right leg.
Step 6: Pull the fabric together at the crotch and inseam.
The new inseam needs to be centered at the edge of the pinched-off area.If you want to guide your sewing machine over each pin, pin it horizontally.Use safety pins when handling jeans or moving about.To get the smoothest result, make an entirely new inseam by pinching off the extra fabric in a smooth curve.
Step 7: Look for symmetry.
Measure from the inseam to the edge of the original seam.From the new inseam to the bottom of the leg, measure again.Each pin is marked with a new inseam after this process.If they don't match, adjust the further-in line to make the smaller leg match the larger one.As you measure, make sure your pinned seams are flat.As you measure, mark it.You can use a pencil or chalk.When you are happy, take off the pants.
Step 8: Make sure the sewing machine is set up.
The denim-sewing needle is suited for denim.The machine should be turned on.If you haven't used a sewing machine before, you can use some practice fabric.When you get to your real project, you want to know how fast your machine works.Sergers aren't recommended for this step.
Step 9: Go to the crotch.
The jeans need to be as flat as possible.If you want to test the fit, try an easy to remove stitch.When you are ready to secure your stitch, press the reverse sewing lever.
Step 10: Continue stitching.
Attach the pins and markings with a smooth curve.You are making a new seam.As you work your way down, keep your line straight.If you want the flare to be smaller, aim to make the excess denim bigger as you get closer to the bottom.
Step 11: Remove the thread.
When you get to the bottom, press the reverse sewing lever to secure your stitches.Continue the process on the other leg after you have fastened off your stitch.
Step 12: The pins need to be removed.
They need to be replaced in their container.Double check to make sure you didn't miss any pins.
Step 13: You can try on the jeans.
Take them right-side out.It's a good idea to inspect every seam.Try walking, running, kneeling, and any other activity that you can do in jeans.
Step 14: The new seam needs to be finished.
Before doing this, turn the jeans inside out.To cut off the excess, use sharp fabric scissors.Between the scissor blades and the new seam, leave an allowance of about 0.25 to 0.75 inches.If you own a serger, secure the new seam with it.If they appear tight, rip out the seams and start over.Don't be alarmed if you see bunching around the crotch.This won't be noticeable for most jeans when worn.
Step 15: The center belt loop should be removed.
To cut it from the center rear of your jeans, use sharp fabric scissors.Put it aside and hang on to it.When you finish with the alterations, you need to replace it.
Step 16: The mid-mark is where you should draw it.
The belt loop used to cover that spot.The mark should be straight as possible.If you prefer, use a ruler or other straight edge.
Step 17: You can try on jeans inside.
If you Button or Zip them up, they will fall as they would when you wear them.There is a mirror in front of you.Take a note of how much fabric you need to remove.
Step 18: Place the fabric at the back of the waist.
Make sure you have enough room to breathe.To mark the edges of the waistband, use chalk or pencil.Your marks don't have to be straight.Make sure they're visible and long enough to complete the process after you take the jeans off.
Step 19: Measure the width of the jeans to remove them.
Unbutton them.Keep them inside.After you're done with the alterations, the outside will look professional.Take half the width of the area and remove it from the mid-mark.To mark that location, use chalk and a pencil.On the other side do the same thing.If you need to remove 2 inches, you will place a mark on either side of the middle.
Step 20: The wedge needs to be removed.
There is a triangle shaped form at the top of the waistband.Its length should be between 3 and 4 inches.The marks are on either side of the mid-mark.You can use your tailor's chalk or pencil.Depending on how much you need to change, the length of the wedge can be longer or shorter.
Step 21: Take out some stitches.
The area below the yoke will be the area where the waistband meets it.To either side of the wedge, rip only about 1 to 2 inches.This helps the sewing process run more smoothly.
Step 22: The waistband has to be cut.
Cut the entire band in half with your scissors.You will probably cut through the label.If it gets in your way, you can remove it.
Step 23: The center seam needs to be ripped.
The seam ripper is needed for this step.The center stitches need to be removed from the wedge.Tie off the remaining threads when you reach the bottom of the wedge.
Step 24: The new seam needs to be pinned.
The ripped areas should be held horizontally.Take the chalk and line up the wedge lines.Straight pins or safety pins are used.Place your pins in a horizontal position so that you can easily remove them as you sew.Make sure the wedge lines and ripped edges match up as you pin.
Step 25: Start at the crotch.
The jeans need to be as flat as possible.If you want to test the fit, try an easy to remove stitch.When you are ready to secure your stitch, press the reverse sewing lever.Continue stitching.Since you're working with a small area, use the slowest setting on the machine.The jeans need to be moved from the crotch to the yoke.As you reach the pins, remove them.When you get to the yoke, remove the thread.
Step 26: You need to finish your new seam.
Cut excess from the edges with fabric scissors.You should have an allowance of at least 0.75 inches.If you have a serger, secure the seam with it.Use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine if you don't have a serger.
Step 27: To secure the seam, look for asymmetry.
The seamed area should be turned right-side out.Make a note of which pocket is closer to the center seam.The jeans should be turned inside out again.The pocket is farther away from the center.If necessary, pin it in place.The seam should be iron in this direction.The pin should be removed.
Step 28: There should be a second line of stitching.
The newly seamed area should be turned right-side out.You can feel the new seam.The sewing machine has a needle.It should be about 0.25 to 0.5 inches.The area just below the waistband is where to start.You should move toward the crotch.Remove the thread.
Step 29: Put the pin in the waistband.
Make sure the right side of the waistband is facing each other.You made marks to either side of the center.This is where your new stitches will be.The sewing machine's needle should be placed beneath the waistband.Start at the bottom.Continue until you reach the top.The pins should be removed as you sew.The pinned area needs to line up with the center seam.Readjusting your pins if it doesn't.The bottom of the waistband should be pinned to the yoke if it does.
Step 30: Attach the belt loop back to it's original position.
The top seam of the waistband should be lined up on the belt loop.They should be pinned together.The same thing can be done with the bottom.The sewing machine has a needle.The stitching should be done horizontally across the top.The same thing can be done with the bottom.The pins should be removed.
Step 31: The waistband should be boiled.
The boiling water should be put into a laundry tub.Use a large wooden spoon to get the waistband into the water.It should be in the water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 32: The jeans need to be removed from the hot water.
Pull up from the legs.If you're worried about burning your hands, wear rubber gloves.
Step 33: The jeans need to be dry.
The towel was used to ring the waistband.They should be put into the dryer.It's best to use high heat and dry.The waist needs to shrink temporarily.