After hours of shopping, you've finally found a pair of jeans that fit, just a little too loose. Or, you might find an old pair of jeans while cleaning out your closet, but the style is out of fashion. Does that mean you can't wear it? Not really. With a simple guide, you can change your own jeans at home. If your jeans only feel loose at the waist, you can fix that too. You only need a small amount of hot water, laundry equipment and/or a sewing machine.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Tightening Jeans with Heat
Step 1. Wash the jeans in hot water
Do not wash jeans with other clothes or with fabric softener. A front load washing machine may be more effective than a top load washing machine because the rotation of the machine will wrinkling the fibers of the jeans. If you don't have a front-loading washing machine at home, try using one at a nearby laundromat.
- Turn your jeans over before washing to minimize damage to the material.
- This method is not suitable for jeans that have been pre-tightened or contain synthetic fibers.
- Alternatively, soak your jeans in a bucket of hot water. Put the jeans in the water. Use a wooden spoon to push the jeans completely submerged. Squeeze the jeans after the soaking water is cold.
Step 2. Put the jeans in the dryer
Dry the jeans on the highest temperature option. Maximize drying time as much as possible. However, read the label on the jeans first! If it says "don't tumble dry", machine drying runs the risk of making it too small. So if so, dry the jeans.
Step 3. Try wearing jeans
By now, your jeans should feel tighter. Make sure you can walk and run while wearing these pants. However, be aware that the effects of this method do not last long. Over time, the jeans will return to their original size.
The process of washing and drying the jeans with heat will reduce the strength and fade the appearance of the jeans. So you should not use this method too often
Step 4. Boil the jeans
This step is optional, but useful for jeans that are difficult to tighten. Use a clean pan that is large enough to hold the jeans. Fill the pot with water and bring to a boil. Keep watching the water as it boils. Add more water if necessary. After the water boils, reduce the heat on the stove. Cover the pot and let the water continue to boil for 20-30 minutes.
Method 2 of 4: Sewing New Seams
Step 1. Try on the jeans in reverse
Button it up or zip it up as if you were wearing it. Stand in front of the mirror. Pay attention to the part of the jeans you want to tighten.
Remember when flipping jeans, the position of the left foot will move to the right, and vice versa
Step 2. Unite the jeans material at the crotch and inseam
Keep the inseam on the edge of the piece you joined so that the new inseam will be in the middle.
- Pin the pin/pin horizontally as a guide as you sew with the machine, but don't interfere with the path. It's best to use safety pins so you don't puncture your feet when you move or measure your jeans.
- For best results, create an entirely new inseam stitch by joining excess material at the bend along the inseam.
Step 3. Match the sizes
Measure the inseam length to the newly marked edge to the original inseam. Measure again from the new inseam to the base of the foot. Repeat this step on each of the pins that mark the new inseam. If it doesn't fit, slide the inner line out so that the smaller foot size fits the larger one. Make sure all the seams that are held together with the safety pins lie flat when measured.
Mark when measuring. Use a pencil or sewing chalk. Remove the pants when you are satisfied with the size
Step 4. Set up the sewing machine
Use a thread that matches the denim material. Turn on the sewing machine.
- If you've never used a sewing machine before, make a few rows of stitches on other fabrics to practice (preferably denim too). Find out the speed of the sewing machine, and make sure you can sew the jeans smoothly.
- The use of overlocking machines is not recommended at this step.
Step 5. Start sewing from the crotch
Flatten the jeans as much as possible with the two sides completely overlapping each other. Try using an easy-to-remove basting stitch for experimentation. Press the sewing lever briefly as you tighten the stitches.
Step 6. Continue sewing
Curl stitches along the safety pins and marks you made. Basically, you'll be making a new seam. Try to sew as straight down as possible. Try to widen the seam down if you want to shrink the pant leg.
Step 7. Tighten the sewing thread
When you get to the bottom of the pants, press the sewing lever briefly to tighten the seams. After that, repeat the sewing process on the other side of the pants.
Step 8. Remove the pin
Return the safety pin to its container. If you use a lot of safety pins, double-check to make sure you haven't left any.
Step 9. Try wearing jeans
Back pants. Observe if any seams are not perfect. Try walking, running, kneeling, and other activities you might do while wearing jeans.
Step 10. Finish the new seam
Turn the jeans over again before doing so. Use sharp fabric scissors to cut off excess material. Leave about 1.5-2 cm of material between the scissors and the new seam. Since the fibers of the jeans come off easily, trim the edges with a sewing machine if you have one.
- If the jeans look slanted or too tight, open the seam and repeat.
- If the crotch of the pants looks stuck, don't worry too much. Once worn, the area will loosen so that it is no longer visible on most jeans.
Method 3 of 4: Tighten Waist Circumference by Sewing
Step 1. Remove the trouser belt loop
Use sharp scissors to cut the center of the back of the jeans. Set aside and save. You'll need to reassemble this section once you've finished tightening your jeans.
Step 2. Make a mark in the middle
Draw a vertical line at the point previously covered by the circumference of the belt. Make the mark as straight as possible. Use a ruler or other straight object if you prefer.
Step 3. Flip the jeans over, then put them on
Attach buttons or zippers as if you were wearing them. Stand in front of the mirror. Measure how much material you need to reduce.
Step 4. Unite the jeans material at the back of the waist
Make sure to leave enough room so you can still breathe smoothly. Use chalk or a pencil to mark the edges of the material you are joining at the waist. At this step, you don't have to make straight marks. Just make sure the markings are clear enough for you and long enough to finish the seam once the jeans are removed.
Step 5. Remove the jeans and measure the width you want to reduce
Remove the button or zipper. Keep the jeans upside down. Thus, the results will look professional. Make a mark that is half the width of the material you want to subtract from the mark in the center. Use chalk/pencil as a marker. Do the same steps on the other side. For example, if you want to reduce the width of the pants by 5 cm, mark 2.5 cm on both sides of the middle.
Step 6. Mark the triangle to be cut
Make a triangular shape from the top back of the waist circumference, about 8-10 cm long. Use sewing chalk/pencil to connect it to the mark on both sides of the mark in the middle.
The length of this triangle can be more or less, according to the size you want to change
Step 7. Partially open the seam
This is where the waist circumference meets the yoke (the area just below the waist circumference). Open the seam 2-5 cm long on both sides of the triangle. This will make it easier for you to sew.
Step 8. Cut the waistband of the pants
Place the scissors at the center mark, and cut the entire waist circumference in half. You may have to cut the trouser brand label. You may remove this label if it bothers you.
Step 9. Open the middle seam of the seam
Use the seam opener in this step. Slowly open the middle seam from the waist to the bottom of the triangle. When you reach the bottom of the triangle, tie the remaining thread so it doesn't come loose.
Step 10. Pin the pin to the new seam
Hold the opened section horizontally. Line up the triangular lines you've made with the chalk. Use a pin or a pin. Pin the pins horizontally so they are easy to remove when sewing. While attaching the pin, make sure that the triangular lines and the exposed edges are all parallel.
Step 11. Start with the crotch
Flatten the jeans as much as possible with the sides together. Try the easy-to-remove bast stitch as an experiment. Press the sewing lever briefly as you begin to tighten the stitches. Continue sewing. Use the lowest speed on the machine as you are only sewing a narrow area. Slide the jeans from the crotch to the yoke. Remove the pin when your stitches get there. Tighten the sewing thread when it reaches the yoke.
Step 12. Finish the new seam
Use fabric scissors to cut off excess material from the edges. Leave the material at least about 1-1, 5 cm. If you have one, use a sewing machine to smooth the seams so the denim doesn't come loose. But if you don't have an overlock machine, just make a zigzag stitch with your sewing machine.
Step 13. Equalize the size of both sides of the pants and tighten the hem
Turn the front side of the hem from the outside in. Observe which trouser pocket is further from the center seam. Back to the jeans again. Aim from the pocket farther from the center. Pin the pin again, if necessary. Iron the hem in this direction. Remove the pin.
Step 14. Make the second stitch
Turn the newly hemmed part from the outside in again. Feel the new seam on the inside. Place the edge of the seam under the sewing machine needle. The length should be about 1-1.5 cm. Start sewing from the part just below the waist circumference (which is still separate) towards the crotch. Tighten the thread.
Step 15. Pin the pin and finish the seam on the waistline
Twist the two sides of the waist circumference so that the front sides are facing each other. Pin the pins to the marks you made on either side of the center. This is the new stitch location. Place the waistband of the pants under the sewing machine needle. Start with the base. Continue to the top. Remove the pin as you sew.
Make sure the pinned part is aligned with the center seam. If not, adjust the position of the pin. When it is aligned, pin the base of the waist circumference to the yoke with a pin
Step 16. Reattach the belt loop
Align the top hem of the belt with the top hem of the waist. Pin the pin to hold the two together. Do the same for the bottom hem. Place the top of the belt loop under the sewing machine needle. Sew horizontally. Do the same steps on the bottom. Remove the pin.
Method 4 of 4: Tighten Waist Circumference with Hot Water
Step 1. Boil the waist circumference of the jeans
Pour boiling water into the sink or bucket. Just soak the waist circumference of the pants, pressing with a wooden spoon. Let the waistband of the pants remain submerged in the water for 10-15 minutes.
Step 2. Remove the jeans from the hot water
Pull out the leg of the pants or use a wooden spoon. If you're worried about getting your hands in hot water, wear rubber gloves.
Step 3. Dry the jeans
Squeeze the circumference of the jeans with a towel. Put it in the dryer. Use high temperature and dry. The waistline of your jeans should be shrinking for a while.
Tips
- Read our guide to buying comfortable tights for more tips on buying tight jeans.
- To make the hem of your jeans look worn, use a paint brush or sponge to lighten the color. Use a diluted bleach solution so that the difference between this part and the rest is not too noticeable.
- Ask the dry cleaner for help. They can sometimes help. Using starch and stretching her jeans a few times can sometimes help reduce the size of her waist.
Warning
- Remember, you can always cut off excess material, but you can't put it back together. When in doubt, don't measure too tight.
- Be careful when using sewing needles and scissors.
- Wearing jeans that are too tight can cause health problems such as blockage of blood circulation, cut off nerves in the thighs, and tingling (tingling syndrome in the thighs or meralgia paresthetica), numbness, and pain. So, do not wear jeans that are too tight to cause pain.
