I've had this pair of blue cult jeans sitting in my closet for a good two years, but I couldn't bare to part with them because I love the way they fit at the waist and thighs, and the actual jean is so soft! As the flared jean style is no longer in right now, and these pants actually are a little short for me (just a few reasons why they've been sitting in the closet unworn for so long) I decided it was time to refashion to straight legs!
My first step was research, I wanted to read through other bloggers attempts and see what method I thought would work best for me.
The majority of tutorials showed only altering the inside of the pants, but to me this didn't make much sense beacuse you'd be pulling the jean and might end up with awkward bunches.
I decided the best way to go would be to alter both sides of the jean starting just above the knee
Here's what I did...
My first step was research, I wanted to read through other bloggers attempts and see what method I thought would work best for me.
The majority of tutorials showed only altering the inside of the pants, but to me this didn't make much sense beacuse you'd be pulling the jean and might end up with awkward bunches.
I decided the best way to go would be to alter both sides of the jean starting just above the knee
Here's what I did...
Turn your jeans inside out and try them on
Starting above your knee pinch fabric and pin (make sure your jeans are laying flat and you're not pulling the fabric to one side or the other); work your way down your leg moving from right to left; once complete do the same thing to your other leg
Keeping the pants inside out, use a long straight stitch (just in case you mess up you can use the seam ripper to start over) to sew down both sides of the pants; when sewing make sure to start just off the fabric above the knee so the seam is nice and straight
Try on the pants again, if you like the way they fit (left side is altered), turn inside out, cut off excess, and resew using a zigzag stitch. Do the same process to the other leg.
That simple, new wearable straight legs!
That simple, new wearable straight legs!
BRILLIANT! Thanks for the pictures and simple, easy to follow instructions-not too word-y:)!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, and you are very welcome, let me know if you try it out!
DeleteAbsolutely best instructions on how to do this that I've found!! Yes brilliant!!!! Thank you so much for going to the trouble to show each step!!!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, glad to help!
ReplyDeleteLove it! So excited to try this today:) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat about the double stitched (french seam) on the outside of each leg?
ReplyDeleteWondering the same thing.... What if you completely opened the single seam to the point of alteration, re-stitched the double topstitiching on the opposite side, then closed the single regular seam. (And probably the hem, now that I think of it.) More work, but I am thinking that the finished look would be acceptable.
DeleteThat is why most people alter jeans by just taking in the inside leg seam....
ReplyDeleteHi there!
ReplyDeleteI was going to try this method of yours with some capris I have that for great but are just too wide for today's styles what do you suggest for that double stitched seam on the side. Have you ever tried it? Just hoping you might have a solution. Thanks much!!
Just did this to a pair of my jeans and I LOVE them. Thank you Crafty Novice!
ReplyDeleteyou're welcome, glad you liked the tutorial!
DeleteLove it! So excited to try this today:) Thanks!
ReplyDeletestraight jeans
I just tried this and it worked beautifully, and it only took me 30 minutes, so easy! Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI was also wondering about the difference between just altering one side versus altering two sides. I ended up going for two sides because my pants had a crease in the middle and it would've looked awkward, it wasn't much more work than having just done one side so I do recommend this approach.
DeleteI've got a few pairs of wide leg jeans that I don't care for. I've always wanted to try to fix them. I love the way they fit everywhere else. Thank you for sharing this. I'm going to try to do it.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Do you have any ideas on how to hem jeans that are too long without the bottoms looking terrible?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giOkJUcc2wg
DeleteI've got a few pairs of wide leg jeans that I don't care for. I've always wanted to try to fix them. I love the way they fit everywhere else. Thank you for sharing this. I'm going to try to do it.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Do you have any ideas on how to hem jeans that are too long without the bottoms looking terrible?
Great idea! Like you, I have a pair that I can't bear to part with because they fit so well, but can I just ask why you say to use a zigzag stitch at the final sew?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
The reason she suggested to zig zag is unless you have an overlock machine the seams will start to fray when you wash. The other alternative would be to use scissors that cut zig zag. I would also recommend doing a plain stitch followed by second row of zig zag. This is the way I was taught. Thanks and happy sewing.
DeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for this tip. I'mgoing to be using it on a pair of red pants that I love, and don't have the fashionable fit. I will be removing the double stiching and alter and than double stick on the new width.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s this double stitch thing people are worried about? I’m so confused. What about jeans that fit round the waist but are baggy on the bum and hips? Can alter them this same way??
ReplyDelete