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My Dh and I are losing weight fast and cannot just go out and buy new clothes right now. I need to take in our pants. Question is: Do I deconstruct the pants and resew or do I just take in the outside seams or do I take in the inseams? I hate baggy pants LOL TIA!

Men's pants or pants with zippers and pockets are hard to take in but can be done. I usually take the waistband off and take in the back seam. You can take in the inseam if allowable. (If there is enough length for you to do that). It has been a long time since I have done alterations for anyone and it sure isn't my favorite job. Hope this helps you a little. Maybe someone else will have an idea or two.

Carolyn

to keep the seam going straight down leg .you need to take in alittle from both sides.You can open the seeams if the are single sewn if double french style it will be harder. hope this helpa alittle. good luck

No answer but how are you doing it? Congrats. Send some weight loss my way.

Auntie Reba sews clothes. Perhaps she'll be along soon with some advice for you. Congratulations on the weight loss. Keep up the good work.

Vicki- Congrat's on taking the steps to diet and become successful at it. Great job and keep it going. I know nothing about alterations, but my Mom did it a lot. I never took the time to learn. Good luck with this project. Sue

Congratulations and I'm jealous!!

I made all my clothes a long time ago...What I would do for short-cutting is...
If the fabric is thin, I have taken a sideseam through the waistband and taper down to the hem. Take an equal size inseam from the crotch tapering to the hem. If you want something more extensive, then yes you need to take the waistband loose at the side seams and the hem out.

If the men's slacks have a back seam for altering, remove the back belt loop, open the waistband and sew from the waistband tapering toward the crotch. Open the old seam, press, tack the waistband back.

If it doesn't have that type back seam...the same as I suggested for your slacks.

It sounds as if you are continuing your weight loss, I would do the quickest and easiest because your pants are going to outgrow you probably within 4-6 weeks anyway...At that time you might do more drastic alterations.

That's MHO.

Once again CONGRATULATIONS! Your hard work is paying off!!!!

If it's just in the waist, sometimes I have just folded over the waistband in the front and made pleats, toppstitched. That's good for a couple inches and at least keeps them from falling off. On shirts you can set the buttons over up to an inch,or take out some on the sides (folded over)

What a great problem!!!

When I had a drastic weight loss, I took in the back seam as KYIS suggested and a little of both the side leg and the leg inseam. With jeans, where the waistband is too thick, I made slits on the inside of the waistband only (didn't go all the way through both layers) about where the side seams were, inserted elastic, tacked on end and pulled the other end till they fit then sewed that end down. and zig-zagged the cut edges right through the waistband.

Yes we will be losing a lot more but we're on our way. I will message you about how we are doing it the easy and healthy way. I just want to take in our clothes for awhile then all new clothes will be needed. BUT can't afford month by month buying sprees - altho I'd love it! LOL But unless we win the lottery that won't happen. LOL I appreciate all of your advice, I know mine won't be too difficult but Dh's pants might be harder with those pockets and all. It is funny - I get requests all the time from people thinking I can do this to their clothes -I'm a quilter folks...... LOL

I know buying new clothes is expensive but don't forget about thrift stores. Congrats on the weight loss and keep up the good work. Would you loose a few extra for me also! sandy

After reading this I'm thinking Dh will be getting some new pants! LOL Mine I think I'll be able to do but those pockets - hummmm - maybe I'll practice on one pair and see how it goes. I did learn on Pinterest how to add elastic to the waistband to take up the extra as you lose weight and it does work. Thank you all for wonderful advice! I've been moving buttons over but now the bagginess is different. LOL I always know I will get excellent advice on ANYTHING when I come to my peeps!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vickiquilts,

Sorry Sandyo but ya gotta do it yourself LOL I was thinking tho for a month or two I may check out the thrift stores - until we are getting close to our goals. Esp Dh cuz not sure I can do those pants. <<>>

Treat your body like you will live forever
Treat your soul like you will die tomorrow

.. my first thought also was thrift shops ..but don't forget there are Resale and Consignment shops to consider ... if they are good enough to make over, theyare probably good enough to try the options where you could get the temporary fits...

Congrats on the weight loss! Just remember that when you take something in, like half an inch, it is 4 times that amount you are taking in, Each seam on each side is 1/2 inch so each side would be taken in an inch. Been too long ago since I did anything like that to even remember how. Have two pairs of DH pants that need to have the hem shortened and I don't want to even guess how long he has been waiting, Quilting is just so much more fun... Chris

I would sure love the problem of having to take my clothes in. How are you losing the weight?

Oh Chris - you are so right -quilting is sooo much more fun! Speaking of which think I'll head to the sewing room after picking up dgd! I just started a new 30's and am loving it!
Deb - I'll send you a message later today. All others who have asked, I've sent you a message already.

My two casual pants are done and they look great! Thank you so much for your advice - I did add the elastic in the mid back to pull it in a bit.

Another congrats on your weight loss! I'm glad you're looking hot in those altered pants now.

Ha ha not sure about hot but sure feel good in them. LOL

Good for you!

You might try working on a pair of your DHs...what have you got to lose?

I do have a pair I will work on tomorrow - they are brand new - I bought them a few days before he began his weight loss. Now they are so baggy he doesn't like wearing them. So, as you say, I have nothing to lose and a pair of pants for him to gain!

It is easier than you might think. Last week I altered the waist in 3 pair & I know nothing at all about making clothes. The first pair I just sewed elastic to the inside of the waistband in the back & it worked like a charm.

The second pair I unsewed a section of the waistband & then opened the back of the slacks up from the waist right down to the crotch area. I then cut a section off each side, pinned & resewed. I cut enough from the waistband itself so that when I sewed it together the new size pants fit snugly into it & topstitched it closed. I was amazed at how well they turned out.

The next pair was even easier. When I undid a section of the waistband I discovered that there was elastic inside it but it was stretched so that it didn't recoil very well. I pulled a nice section of that elastic out where I could get at it, cut a section out of it & reattached it together again. When it went back inside the waistband it took the waist in considerably. Topstitched the waistband back on & I was good to go. They fit so much better now.

Goodluck working on that pair of pants tomorrow. If I can do it anyone can.

Good to hear that you are getting your clothes taken in. I would love to lose weight. Could you tell me how you are losing so much. I have been on a "diet" that the doctor gave me but the weight loss is painfully slow.

Congratulations Vicki! I would like to know your secret too! Sounds like you will have a little shopping to do soon.

You've gotten great tips. ALL of my purchased pants have to be altered due to length and overly wide legs. I just take in outside seam; but that's me. For what YOU guys are doing-I would go consignment store shopping and pay 1/2 the price or LESS for slightly used models! Big grin! Congratulations!!

Vicki, good question. I have lost some weight and I know the clothes are costly--I have only gotten 2 pairs of new jeans (each a smaller size) and they are getting loose. I go to Goodwill at times and find work clothes for $2.50 a skirt, dresses $4.00 and then 2 pc skirt and tops $6. I try to stay with colors that are neutral so other pieces I have will go. I have a long ways to go but I am down 49.2!!! I think I will try to see if I can do some of these tips for some of my favorite work pants. Thank you for the tips.

Thank you to all of you for the congrats - we are finally doing something that works! I've messaged many of you and will message those who I haven't so far and if you don't hear from me message me. I am sporadic here since going back to work. The money we are saving on groceries is going back into new clothes very soon. Miss Lensews - yes I did that and it works very well. My pants were no problem but mens pants - AYE VEY! I am going to take in one of Dh's newest pants that he literally can't wear now due to being too baggy. I think we'll be shopping in 2 more weeks for new clothes for sure! BTW I follow Bonnie Hunter and love Goodwill! LOL Congrats Lana - that is wonderful - keep up the good work! It feels so good doesn't it? And health issues go down with weight loss!
Blessings, Vicki

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vickiquilts,

Congratulations lana! That is tremendous. I'm curious vicki..will PM you.

Hi could you add me to your list of those that want to know how you are losing weight? So happy for you!

Congratulations to Vicki and Lana!!! Keep up the good work. Vicki, I would like to know how you are doing it too.

Thank you all - I took in 3 of Dh's pants and mved a button over on another smaller pair! I cut the legs up the inseam and up the butt to 1" before the waist and then I have resewn the seams smaller. It worked fine but soon he will just have to buy new pants. LOL
I will pm those of you I've not already done so. It's a great program and we're savings a ton on groceries!
Ah off to the sewing room - my totally NOT jewel box (I goofed) needs another half a row I think.....

Congrats, yes add me to your list on wanting to know

Hi SC Lady I sent you a pm! Thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragement! Can't wait to get to my goal weight and get NEW clothes! I'm thinking of getting back into sewing some clothes - been a long time - only because I just didn't feel like it! LOL

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vickiquilts,

Hi Vickiquilts,
I would love to know how you are losing the weight as well, would you pm me.
Thanks, Novie

okay.... I gotta find out as well! And congrats to both of you.

I want to see your Not so Jewel Box too!

Oh Vickiquilts, I sew want to know how you managed to lose weight.....Please message me!? Congratulations girlie!!

sent you a pm

Vickiquilts,

You might as well post the details here...cause we all want to know! Hugs!

Sent you a PM.

Sorry girls but due to restrictions on HGTV I am unable to post details but happy to pm you with any answers you need! Heading to pm's now - if I miss you - let me know.......
You can follow me on Pinterest!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vickiquilts,

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Please message me too. I would love to know your secret of losing weight. I have never had to take in pants that were too big, lol.

I'd like a PM also! Congrats on the loss.

Okay, so many of you have asked and I've sent so many pm's and e-mail I'm just going to let you all know how we are losing our weight. We are doing the 90 day challenge by Visalus. If you are interested in knowing more just let me know. We will be leaving town for a few days so will not be on here until next week at least. Thank you all for the inquires and so many congratulations - we are finally winning at this years of weight loss challenges!
Blessings, vicki