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Arts and crafts

Discover knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and art and craft ideas on this forum.

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Original poster

Where to start? My trousers are to big

13 replies

hugoagogo · 22/08/2013 21:05

I am losing weight (very slowly) as I still have long way to go I don't want to go out and buy a load of clothes that will be too big (hopefully) in a couple of months.

So I was thinking could I take my trousers in a bit, and if so should I just run a couple of seams down the outside or will I end up looking stupid?

I have googled, but am none the wiser really.

Oh great and powerful mumsnet tell me what to do.

OP posts:

Original poster

hugoagogo · 22/08/2013 21:06

Oh pooey I obviously meant 'too big'

OP posts:

HarrietSchulenberg · 22/08/2013 21:10

I am far from an expert but I have had more than my share of alterations disasters, so I'd say you'd be best of unpicking the seam and re-stitching it to fit your smaller size. If you just run a new seam you'll get a big thick lump up the side of your leg!

If it was me I'd get a couple of pairs of "new" trousers from a charity shop to tide me over and wait till I reached my new size.

Original poster

hugoagogo · 22/08/2013 21:17

Hmm yes I see that; so you would go for the outside seams then not the inside leg?
I am a bit worried it will mess with the pockets.

Charity shop is a good idea, but sizes are all over the place aren't they? I was wearing size 18 trousers for work, which are now completely ridiculous and fall down, so I bought some 16s from ebay and they are way too small.

OP posts:

MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 22/08/2013 21:30

I'm currently a size 17 and reducing trouser size. I keep trying the 16's on and they are just too snug. More lettuce, less cake maybe?!

HarrietSchulenberg · 22/08/2013 22:57

You can try stuff on in most charity shops, and they also do refunds if you keep the receipt.

Re alterations, I think I'd do the inside seam but would definitely open it up and re-stitch it. You'll probably find that the waist and bum don't fit too well either so you'll probably have to them too. If it was me I'd open up the bum seam (ugh, sorry) and re-stitch that. Have you got a sewing machine to make life easier?

Original poster

hugoagogo · 22/08/2013 23:38

I have a sewing machine, a bit of time on my hands, not much cash and a general desire not to waste a perfectly good pair of trousers.

I have bought some jeans in a 16, but I can't really wear them every day. It gets to the point I suppose where I am practically remaking the whole thing and that does seem pointless.

OP posts:

HarrietSchulenberg · 23/08/2013 00:44

In that case, go for it. And keep the charity shop option on the back burner in case it all goes horribly wrong. Which it won't.

Hopefully someone who is much better than me at this sort of thing will pick this up tomorrow. I am the queen of botched alterations - I tried to take in a Tesco smock top using darts and ended up in tears over it all. That's when I worked out how to open up a seam and re-stitch it, it was out of necessity as I didn't want to completely ruin the top. Turned out OK in the end but then I lost the top on a camping trip (grrrrr).

Original poster

hugoagogo · 23/08/2013 16:05

Well I unpicked the inside seam except for the bottom six inches; ran a seam about 1/2 inch in from the original. I also took a sliver off the sides.

They fit much better, although I know they won't win any design awards.

OP posts:

EdwiniasRevenge · 23/08/2013 16:08

I was going to offer a more sensible idea. ..but never mind...I'm a bit late...

Original poster

hugoagogo · 23/08/2013 16:25

I am interested though, give me some tips please [big cat eyes]

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EdwiniasRevenge · 23/08/2013 16:45

Oh ok then

I don't tend to adjust the bum and legs.

But if you want to deal with the waistband buy youself some wide elastic.

Open up the inside of the waistband where the outside seam is.. Thread the elastic through and secure on both sides. Re stitch the opening and bow you have a pair of semi elasticated trousers. I do it with most of my trousers as I have a very wide hips and thighs but narrow waist and my waistbands gape.

Looks very natural if you match the width of the elastic to the width of the waistband.
I also do most of dtd2s as she has long legs and non existent stomach so she needs the length of adult size six but waistband of aged 9 clothes.

Original poster

hugoagogo · 23/08/2013 16:59

Thanks, I just moved the button a wee bit as they weren't too bad there; it was the 'bum and legs' that were all saggy. [attractive]

OP posts:

kellestar · 27/08/2013 15:16

My technique differs to suggestions, but thought I would throw it out there.

Put them on inside out and get a friend to help pin where you need the seams to be. Sew new seam using pins as a guide. I adjust outer seams.

For the waist band I pin stretched elastic at the hollow of my back and whilst stretched go over it with the machine to secure. Works wonders for me as I often have gape.

I often alter trousers and jeans for myself this way. Am odd shaped and often need to buy a bigger size for my hips/bum/thigh than for my waist and lower leg.

Good work on the weight loss

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