How to Make the Waist of Pants Smaller by Reducing the Back Seam”, by Nestor Channel on YouTube. 2 min 2 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 2 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Turn the pants inside out and put them on to check how much the waist gaps. Pinch the extra fabric at the center back seam and note the amount to remove.
Take the pants off and lay them flat. Mark the center back seam with chalk, then mark a new seam line that removes the extra width, tapering to zero at the hips.
Use a seam ripper to open the back waistband seam and the old center back seam down to the point where the taper ends.
Pin the new seam line on both sides, matching the marks. Keep the fabric flat so the seam does not twist.
Sew along the new line with a straight stitch, starting at the waistband and tapering out at the bottom. Backstitch at both ends.
Try the pants on inside out to check the fit. Adjust and resew if the waist is still loose or too tight.
Trim the excess seam allowance to about 1 cm and press the seam open with an iron.
Sew the waistband back closed, then finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch or overlock to stop fraying.
Tips and common mistakes
Remove less fabric than you think you need and test the fit before cutting anything.
Taper the new seam gradually so the pants do not pucker at the hips.
Use a needle and thread made for the fabric weight to avoid skipped stitches.
Press each seam as you go for a flatter, neater finish.
Questions
Can I do this without a sewing machine?
Yes. Use a backstitch by hand along the marked line and keep the stitches small and even for a strong seam.
Will taking in the back seam change the front fit?
It mainly tightens the back and sides. If the front is also loose, you may need to adjust the side seams too.
What if the pants have a lining?
Open the lining at the back seam first, take in the outer fabric, then trim and resew the lining to match.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
