Denim, originally developed for use by workers, has gained immense popularity due to its qualities. It is used to make pants, shirts and jackets for men, women and children. It can be very frustrating when a favorite and high-quality item becomes too small and lets you down at the most inopportune moment. Most often, this happens with denim pants.
Many people after this go to the store in search of a new favorite thing, and some do it differently - they cope with the problem with their hands, embroidering and sewing jeans again. This material will contain instructions: how to embroider jeans at the waist to increase the width, using various methods.
Why jeans became small
There are several versions of why the pants suddenly became too small. Among them:
- The figure has become larger. This is not always an increase due to excess fat and an unhealthy lifestyle. It can be associated with physical activity, to which the legs and buttocks actively respond and increase in size due to an increase in muscle mass. This, sadly, also affects jeans: they become small;
- Violation of washing conditions. Denim fabric is usually made of synthetic and cotton fibers. This composition requires washing as specified by the manufacturer. Most often, this is a manual mode or a delicate machine. If you do not follow the instructions, the pants may shrink significantly and become shorter;
- Individual characteristics. Manufacturers make products that fit the majority of average people. At the same time, the individual parameters of each individual person are not taken into account. Two people with different hip circumferences can have different waist circumferences, and so on.
In any of these cases, it is worth trying to stretch the pants in the right places using simple methods with clear instructions.
How to unsew jeans
If you can no longer fit into your favorite pants, you should think about widening them. This is the most radical method. There are several types of widening:
- reducing seam allowances;
- knitted inserts;
- inserts of stripes;
- increasing the size of the gusset.
Important! Each of these methods has its own characteristics and is suitable for experienced seamstresses. Before moving on to them, you should use the non-radical advice that will be given below.
To work you will need scissors, threads, a thick needle and other materials and tools specific to the particular case.
Reducing seam allowances
By reducing seam allowances, you can get just half a centimeter of "freedom". The advantage of this method is that correctly reduced allowances are invisible and the item looks like new. Instructions for reducing:
- Turn the pants inside out;
- Rip open the seams in the required place, sometimes even along the entire length;
- After this, the seams need to be swept onto the thread and thus reduce the allowances.
After all the steps, you should stitch new seams on a sewing machine. This method can be done by hand, but it is long and difficult. For internal sewing, you can even use white threads.
Knitted inserts
Jersey or any other "tightening" fabric is ideal for inserts. It is advisable to complement the insert with an elastic band inserted inside. This is a method for those who are interested in the question: how to widen the waistband on jeans.
To start working, you will need: a tape measure and soap, pins, two pieces of knitwear, thread and a needle, scissors. You won't even need a sewing machine for this method. The general plan of action is as follows:
- Measure your waist with a tape measure;
- Cut out pieces on the trousers up to the middle of the pocket on the sides;
- Fold the knitwear in half, cut out pieces from the jeans;
- Slip the seams and pin the pants together with the inserts;
- Measure with a centimeter: if it fits, sew it in; if it doesn’t, cut out a larger piece.
It is worth noting that knitwear stretches, and this should not be forgotten. Making jeans wider at the waist is a piece of cake for people familiar with tailoring. You can also decorate the inserts with patterns and embroidery.
Inserting stripes
One of the extreme means, used when others have not brought the desired result. Most often, with mediocre craftsmen, the item will no longer acquire a “dress look” and will not be suitable for going out. However, this is better than simply throwing away the pants and forgetting about them.
The main rule is to choose the right size of the insert. To do this, use a meter and measure all the necessary data. Also, do not forget to make allowances of a couple of centimeters for seams. The material for the insert should ideally match the fabric of the pants in color and texture.
Important! The seams need to be ripped open in a narrow and irritating place, inserting a stripe there and basting it on a pre-prepared thread. If the fitting was successful and the result is satisfactory, then the seams are reinforced by stitching on a machine. To disguise the stripe, it can be decorated with embroidery or appliques.
Increasing the size with a gusset
The method is suitable when the pants are tight in the groin and rub it a lot. The gusset is a piece of fabric that is embroidered at the intersection of the side and crotch seams. It is present in children's and women's clothes, men's home tights and sports options. This element makes the pants stronger. Sewing is done as follows:
- The gusset itself is cut out in the shape of a small diamond that fits the parameters of a person’s figure (usually 20 cm in length and 5 cm in width);
- The crotch seam is being stitched;
- The gusset is basted and sewn on with an internal seam;
- The same operation is performed on the other side of the tissue fragment.
Important! With a complex design of trousers, you can't do without a competent approach to the matter and knowledge. If you have trousers of a simple cut, everything should go without complications.
Expansion methods
This class of methods involves influencing the pants with other, less radical tools. If one of them does not help, then you can try another and only then proceed to expansion using the methods described above.
Spraying
When it comes to expanding things, water is the main tool. This method requires a sprayer. First, you need to spread the jeans on the floor and spray them in the area where they are most tight. After they get wet, you can begin to stretch the pants in the narrow place. To do this, pull out the seam and the fabric itself.
To check the result, you need to measure the main parameters before and after the procedure. After finishing, the item should be allowed to dry completely.
Soaking
The method is similar in action to the first method, but more complicated. To perform it, you will need a bath with warm water. You need to put on jeans and take a bath in them. After lying down for 10 minutes, you can squeeze out the water or wait until most of it drains. Next, you need to stretch the jeans without taking them off. This is done by doing all sorts of exercises such as squats and bends, bending and unbending the legs at the knees. After this, you need to take off your pants and let them dry completely
Using an expander
You can also expand the waistband using a special tool – an expander. For it to work, you need to wet the waistband of your pants, insert the expander into them and leave it until it dries. If everything is done correctly and the fabric is responsive to stretching, you can get one or two sizes in the waistband.
Important! It is important to use a professional extender, which can also be used to expand the pants to change their size, rather than trying to stretch them onto a simple hanger.
Ironing and steaming
The last method involves steaming the problem areas of the jeans with damp and warm steam. Heat and moisture can restore the former elasticity of the fabric and expand it. In order to perform stretching, you should:
- Steam and saturate the fabric with steam at the waist and hips;
- Put on your pants immediately and button them up;
- Wear them for at least an hour. During this time, the fabric will take on a new shape and “remember” it.
The advantage of the procedure is that it is easy to perform and can be repeated many times.
Now there should be no questions about how to widen jeans at the waist or belt. There are many ways that can return your favorite pants to their size: from measures that are various inserts to banal soaking, spraying and ironing with steaming. In extreme cases, you can always make shorts for home from old pants, rather than ruining and enlarging them.
