Burda Style For people who sew

The waist of these needed to come in 3" or 1 1/2" each side. We will only be taking in the back of the side seams. This way the fullness will be removed from the back and we'll avoid the rivets.
First, undo the waistband from the pants at the side seams. Rip the topstiching out at the sides by the rivets, open up the side seam and lay it flat.
Using the original seamline on the front part, slide the back side seam out half the amount of the total alteration. In this case, it's 1 1/2", because we need to take in a total of 3". Carefully pin on the original seamline, tapering to nothing.

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  Jan 12, 2010, 01.46 PMby kosmika

  I am trying this technique this afternoon,I’ve just bought online a pair of jeans too wide at the waist and returning them will be more expensive than trying to take them in a bit ;) Thanks for the idea (my mother used to take them in at the centre back line) and for the tutorial! :)
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  Dec 2, 2009, 07.44 PMby pattiann

  Very good technique.

  I have been cutting two slits on the inside of the waistband and adding elastic.

  The finish is not as neat as yours as I zig-zag the slits, catching the elastic and closing the slit in one-step.

  I don’t “tuck-in” so no one knows but me.
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  Nov 23, 2009, 09.01 AMby neshat

  Thank you ! useful tips