How To Take In Jeans At The Waist: Downsize Easily Like A Pro!

[@RickShort21]

I just successfully tailored 3 pair of pants thanks to your tutorial. Thank you.

[@SewAnastasia]

@@RickShort21 excellent 👏👏👏👏

[@desirae3199]

I’ve always had a problem finding jeans that fit and I always have a gap in the back regardless, but I followed your video and they fit so good now!! Thank you!! I’m so excited to do this to all my jeans

[@SewAnastasia]

Looks like you've cracked the code to the perfect-fitting jeans! Say goodbye to the back gap and hello to a fabulous fit. Now you can strut your stuff with confidence, knowing your jeans are on point!

[@jennydiydavey]

This was the best demonstration I've seen. Thank you!

[@SewAnastasia]

@@jennydiydavey Welcome 🤗

[@michabaulch371]

I cannot tell you how excited I was to see you post this 😅 I have at least 3 pairs of jeans I've been hanging onto that need altering. Thanks for the great video, looking forward to trying this out myself.

[@SewAnastasia]

You are very welcome! Get a fresh seam ripper & you will have tailored jeans in no time!

[@Ber.itsCold]

I have a whole pile of jeans I’ve been neglecting and I saved this video to see if I could make myself get them done 🤣 Results? YEP! Will be starting that project next week!

[@SewAnastasia]

Woohoo you can do it!!

[@judibowen7444]

I'm a fairly experienced sewer, but haven't dared take in jeans before, you've given me the confidence to do it. Thanks SO much!

[@SewAnastasia]

I’m so happy to hear this! You can do it!!

[@Alexandercult]

❤ you shine through in this video ! Thank you for this explanation on how to take in denim at the waist i was so stumped on where to even begin and you simplified it for us so easily !

[@SewAnastasia]

👏👏👏 Happy this tutorial helped. It can feel daunting at first.

[@joannawebb4294]

I've followed your tutorial and am thrilled with the results! Thank you so much 😊

[@SewAnastasia]

Woohoo 🥳 I’m so happy to hear this! :)

[@MsHahax]

This is the best video I've found! Not only was it easy to follow but I found you so encouraging! Thank you so much :)

[@SewAnastasia]

Thank you so much for watching and I am happy to help your pants :) I hope you share it with your sewing friends.

[@gabbymckenzie291]

Thanks so much for this lesson. My son is tall and skinny and jeans never fit in the waist. Adjusting them like this worked so well!

[@SewAnastasia]

I'm glad the lesson was helpful for you and your son! It's always great to hear when my videos make a difference.

[@nadiasews]

Brilliant trick for taking in the waist under the tag!!! Thank you for this tutorial now I don’t have to turn away these kinds of business!

[@SewAnastasia]

@@nadiasews welcome!

[@maraberrios1358]

Love how you made this so easy to understand 💗

[@SewAnastasia]

Thank you for watching :)

[@GraceCarter-f9n]

Did this with american eagle jeans for the first time and it worked great! Took in almost 3 inches and you cant even tell, thank you so much for sharing this tutorial!!

[@SewAnastasia]

@@GraceCarter-f9n woohoo 🥳 This is awesome to hear 😊 It’s so gratifying to make something fit!

[@pavlal.4552]

Thank you, this is such a great timing. I have made my first pair of jeans and they expanded in the waist, so I need to take them in. I was going to do darts, but this is much neater and cleaner, thank you 👍

[@SewAnastasia]

Very welcome 🤗

[@nancyruth2008]

that was great! I've always had to take jeans in at the waste and I'm old enough to remember having to buy "boy jeans" because there was no such thing as jeans for women back when I was a teenager..............so how I did it was to take off the pockets (not all the way off), remove the wasteband like it was done in the video, take in two darts on either side of the back seam, put the pockets back on and redo the wasteband in the middle............I hid the seam with the belt loop.......what a lot of work compared to how you did it! Thank you so much for showing me a much easier method! 😁

[@girliedog]

Nice, I've been losing weight and want to salvage my old jeans. Thanks so much for this demo.

[@SewAnastasia]

You are so welcome!

[@cynthiacullen9695]

I was meant to watch your video , not just to have you show how to make jeans tighter in the waist but I’m digging this bump jumper !! I consider myself pretty talented and have many projects going all the time , and I just had my industrial sewing machine gone through. And I’m ready to start making fun stuff . Thanks

[@SewAnastasia]

Happy sewing!!!! Have a great week. ❤️🧵🎀

[@sonjawade6799]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I watched and followed a different tutorial on a pair of practice jeans I’d bought from a charity store. Result wasn’t great. I can now unpick and follow your tutorial which is so much easier. I do usually watch and follow some of your tutorials, don’t know how I missed this one!! From your UK 🇬🇧 fan❤

[@SewAnastasia]

Thank you for your kind words! I'm thrilled that my tutorial was able to help you out. Your support means the world to me, and I'm grateful to have fans like you.

[@bethanyjadehart]

So greatful for this video, my favourite pair of jeans was 2 sizes too big and today i thought hmm i wonder if i could take them in and I actually did!! Honestly my skills are extremely basic and this video was sooo amazing!

[@SewAnastasia]

I'm so glad to hear that the video helped you! Taking in your jeans is a fantastic way to personalize your wardrobe. Keep up the great work!

[@delmahockett1747]

Thank you for saying I have to undo the whole seam and redo it. Also yayyy for using the hump jumper!😉😀

[@SewAnastasia]

Thank you for your comment! I'm grateful that you found value in my suggestion to undo the seam and redo it. The hump jumper is a game changer, isn't it? Keep up the amazing work!

[@Methotty]

This was real easy and very straightforward. Since I don’t have a machine, I’ll just have to continue with hand sewing

[@candicewaller403]

Thanks for a great tutorial! I've done a pair of small darts on either side of the center. The darts include the waistband. It works pretty well for me as it's usually *just* the waist that's the issue and I don't want to lose fullness in the seat, but my seat pockets end up gaping a little. This video is really helpful for a totally invisible alteration.

[@SewAnastasia]

I'm glad the tutorial was helpful for you! It's great that you were able to make those small darts to fix the waist issue. If you want to avoid the seat pockets gaping, you can try adjusting the darts slightly or maybe adding some reinforcement stitching. Keep up the good work!

[@lighthseskr]

I knew I had previously watched. But received some jeans in mail today and waist is too big. This will help me. Rise is a little off but I'm going to leave that alone. Thank you again for usefuland wonderful videos.

[@SewAnastasia]

You are very welcome and I hope you get the pants to fit how you want them to.

[@subhrvy8996]

Just finished watching it and i already feel unstoppable i might haul the entire thrift shop's jeans lol

[@SewAnastasia]

lol do it!!!!!

[@subhrvy8996]

@@SewAnastasia i just did lol

[@kathyoneil5023]

This was so valuable to me. Thanks Anastasia 💐

[@SewAnastasia]

🥳 woohoo 🎉 Happy sewing 🧵

[@user-qf1vb4wp3u]

That's really really helpful, thanks a lot!

[@SewAnastasia]

@@user-qf1vb4wp3u happy sewing :)

[@middlemaggie58]

Thanks for the wonderful instructions, I now altered 2 pairs of jeans since my hips are fuller than my waist. I found it helpful to tack the new seam before sewing properly so I could remake it if there were any strange bulges. The low hump jumper is a great tool and I created one out of thick, dense cardboard which worked well. Only problem is that the pockets almost touch now and if I took any more material out they would overlap ! Do you have an alternative solution for that problem ?

[@SewAnastasia]

Happy altering is working out for you. With your pockets meeting… you can take them off and reposition them or take the pants in on the side seam & center back to balance the pants so your pockets don’t touch.

[@joycegolden1980]

You did a great job!❤ I have learned how to take up my hubby dress pants!! Thank you so very muc!! ❤

[@SewAnastasia]

You are very welcome. I also have a video that is particular to dress pants. Check it out.

[@moosedawg71]

SO glad I found this video. You make it look SO easy! I recently bought a pair of jeans online on clearance, for a steal, BTW, that are a bit too big, but I'm afraid the next size down would be too snug. I was thinking of just sending them back and hoping to find another pair that weren't too expensive (jeans are SO expensive now, I've NEVER paid $100 for a pair of jeans, RUKM?!) but at the price I paid, I was just going to wear a belt, but after finding this video, I'll just take them in! THANK YOU!!

[@cheryl5994]

NEW SUB, I’M SOOOO GLAD I’VE COME ACROSS YR CHANNEL. YR DOING AN AWESOME JOB. 10/10 ✅

[@SewAnastasia]

Awww thanks 😊 Thank you for subscribing & watching 🎀💖

[@marykaren7542]

I have a hump jumper in my Amazon cart... you just convinced me to finally order it!! Thanks!

[@SewAnastasia]

Ha 👏 It’s a handy tool!

[@fuqtupone]

Was wondering if you don't have a label like the Levi one would you still do the waistband the same way ? Also I truly dig how you break down exactly how to do these things I have a learning disability I can watch or read something over and over and still not be able to follow it is so frustrating but you have a way of explaining things that is easy for me to understand and I really appreciate that ❤

[@wormprty5280]

you could do it behind the center back belt loop but it will get pretty thick

[@SewAnastasia]

You can put that seam on the waist anywhere you want. You could put it at your side seam as an option. I am happy to hear that my videos are easy to understand.

[@SewAnastasia]

Great suggestion but yes it would be very thick.

[@joanoconnor3896]

Thank you Anastasia for this video. ❤

[@SewAnastasia]

You are so welcome!

[@ellenpatrick9398]

You're such a good teacher!

[@beckyjos9409]

Thank you for always making helpful content!

[@SewAnastasia]

I'm glad you find the content helpful! Thank you for watching.

[@Rosaura2944]

Glad I bump in to your video You make it really easy now i have some ajustment to do Thanks😁

[@19lbrown]

Anastasia you did that gurl!! Amazing job!!❤❤

[@lorraineforks8608]

Thank- you, thank- you,Thank-you for this tutorial! It is wonderful!!

[@SewAnastasia]

You are so welcome!

[@feliciasolito1471]

Hi Anastasia: Your videos are super! Do you have a video on taking in a pair of jeans at the hips? I have a pair of wide leg jeans that i just bought (and washed thinking they'd relax and shrink but no they relaxed but didn't shrink) and the hips are too, well, poofy, and i want them to be snug. The waist could use taking in, but assuming i gain some weight at Thanksgiving or Christmas, i'm happy with the waist as it is. I can't find a single video on just slimming the hips on jeans. There are videos for tailoring men's dress pants at the hips and videos for taking pants in at the waist or making darts on the butt. However, i want to take my jeans at the hips only! If you have such a lesson, I'd be so grateful! Your joyful approach is so refreshing!

[@sandiebrown9521]

A hump jumper! Now I know what that little thing is!! Thank you 😊

[@courtneyscott6055]

This is super sneaky helpful! Thank you! I just found you and subscribed ❤️😉

[@SewAnastasia]

I'm so glad you found the video helpful! Thank you for subscribing, I appreciate your support!

[@stratelite1337]

Just ordered my sewing machine. I've went down 3" in the waist from dancing and my jeans are crumpling up with a belt. Wish me luck!

[@SewAnastasia]

You can do it!

[@bianquita777]

Thank you! Respect the shirt! 🤘

[@SewAnastasia]

Welcome :)

[@jackqueline50]

Hello! I have some dress pants that are too big in the waist, and they have side pockets. You have a video showing how to alter men's pants. Can you refer me to one for women? Thank you.

[@SBL1932]

Now I have a job to do. You made this look easy

[@susancooper5420]

Thank you great tutorial. Would you please post picture of the back? I would like to see where the pockets line up. Thank you

[@SewAnastasia]

There should be a video of the back finished at the end of the video. Just pause it?

[@jenniferrathjensdlrt3661]

Love your videos Anastasia! Thank you! :)

[@SewAnastasia]

Thank you for your support! I really appreciate it. It motivates me to keep creating content that you love.

[@xxx-il9dv]

What kind of thread did you use? Standard sewing thread would not have the same appearance. It looks heavier. Did you need to use a different needle? Great tutorial!

[@SewAnastasia]

Thanks! I actually just used regular thread. I didn’t have any top stitching thread on me. I used a 90/14 for my needle. Thanks for watching 🎀🎉😊

[@jcampbell100]

Great job. I followed along but the catch came when mine had no tag and the waist band was interfaced and in two pieces but I got here anyway and it looks fine. Thanks.

[@SewAnastasia]

Glad you made it work! 💖

[@quanghoang6865]

Can I ask you a question: At 3:30, can we just connect the chalk line to the middle of the yolk seam and sew or we have to connect to the bottom because I'm afraid it'll affect the seat area as well (I only want to take in the waist without affecting the seat area)

[@SewAnastasia]

You will have to blend into the seat just a little otherwise it will not be smooth. If you have a yoke you can just blend a few inches into that but you will need to undo your seat seam to get it to the seam if it’s a flat felled seam.

[@ManinderKaur-fc1rg]

Thanks dear, so helpful ❤

[@zoesusman7954]

Can you add a flat felt seam back in if you wanted to?

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

This is seriously genius.

[@modconned]

Clever idea hiding the seam behind the tag! Could be a good excuse to get creative and make a tag if your jeans don't have one. Up till now when I've altered my jeans I've been doing it a really cheap and nasty way...but I will be using your method in future. Thank you!

[@SewAnastasia]

Yeah making a cute tag 🏷️ or patch to cover the seam off center is a good idea! Lol I’d love to know what your cheap & nasty alterations on the pants are.

[@sarahwheeler4353]

Would this be any different with a denim skirt?

[@marylouiseminer2364]

Thanks! I've lost 20 pounds and that means a couple sizes to big on my jeans. Question! Is it true that you can take in clothes two sizes only?

[@French-Kiss24]

Wow! That was great!

[@SewAnastasia]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@chelsea8400]

Does this technique work for older Bernina models?

[@SewAnastasia]

You can do this on any sewing machine.

[@fuqtupone]

Thanks so much you are Amazing❤

[@SewAnastasia]

Thank you for watching.

[@galaxytrio]

Heart-shaped cushions on the stools in your studio! Very cute and very girly.

[@PERFECTDARK10]

Nice! Loved it ❤

[@SewAnastasia]

Thank you :)

[@eugenegarces4017]

is it okay to do the waist alterations on the side of the jeans?

[@SewAnastasia]

You can but you need to watch the rivets in the pockets.

[@tammyluich7303]

Do the original stitches stay once you have removed some for the repair??

[@SewAnastasia]

I am not sure I understand. Any stitches you have removed will not stay.

[@PenelopeRose238]

I saw a more complicated version of the center back seam method and she was adjusting everything because the actual middle of a flat fell seam is the center between the 2 side seams. Will your method result in the faux flat fell being off center slightly? It's definitely less intimidating your way.

[@SewAnastasia]

I’d say just measure everything to make sure you get it centered. This method will not result in the pants being off center unless you pull or sew them that way. Yes one side of a flat felled seam usually has a bit more of fabric on it but nothing that’s going to drastically affect your pants.

[@viawikusia]

Just did it tysm ❤

[@SewAnastasia]

Woohoo 🥳

[@Oonagh72]

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but can you show how to alter the waist but still get them over your hips? Like how to add an invisible zip or something? That’s usually my problem. If the waist fits it won’t go past my hips. That’s why I like to wear low rise jeans but they aren’t in style right now. So new jeans are a problem.

[@SewAnastasia]

Humm interesting. Yeah you could seam rip the side open & put in a long invisible zipper.

[@rhondarichie7950]

I need to downsize a pair of baggy overalls from XL to M. There is no bib or pockets. Also has elastic waste. Any suggestions? Thank you

[@trae74]

Great! Now I just need to get a sowing machine and learn how to use it! 😂

[@SewAnastasia]

Ha totally. I have an online sewing class u can take. Check out sewanastasiasewingacademy.com

[@trae74]

@SewAnastasia oh nice! I'll check it out if I remember later. Can you like this so I'll see the notification to remind me?

[@MaeWilliamson-k3w]

Great tutorial :)

[@NANCO1999]

Excellent video! I'm afraid to tell you how I do it. It's the lazy way lol.

[@SewAnastasia]

If it works for you then no shame in that.

[@NANCO1999]

I taught myself how to sew starting around 1980. No internet then . I picked up some bad ie sloppy habits but u r right ... Works for me!

[@loissage3630]

Thank you! ❤

[@SewAnastasia]

Very welcome 🤗

[@dianejohanson98]

Ok, that takes care of the waist, but how do you reduce the size of the legs? I’ve lost almost 30 pounds and all my jeans are way too big and are fairly new or never been worn and I don’t want to get rid of them. Would appreciate a tutorial on the taking in the way too large thighs and calves. Thank you.

[@michelleharper8128]

Turn them inside out and put them on them pin where you want to sew, make a straight line where they are pinned then sew and cut off the excess.

[@dimitragianes9021]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[@SewAnastasia]

Thanks a ton for watching and showing love!

[@dudeitsstephanie]

Do you remove the entire waistband? Or just the back portion?

[@SewAnastasia]

Just the back.

[@ecmproductions11]

Could you do a video where you add a back zipper to some jeans? That's an up and coming style.

[@SewAnastasia]

I will add it to my list. I have seen the zipper that goes back to front too! Seems like it might be uncomfortable in the crotch area 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ecmproductions11]

@@SewAnastasia the ones I've seen don't go down that far, haha that does seem uncomfortable. Fashion can be quite odd sometimes.

[@SeamsToCultivateDignity]

@Sew Anastasia your mystic twin is a Teri Williams of North Bay, Oregon. Same voice, hair, cuteness and shortness 😉

[@SewAnastasia]

Ha. I’m going to look this person up!!!!

[@savannahpurdy9974]

does every sewing machine do the top stitch? i’m not well versed in sewing and my machine is kinda old so i’m not sure if it’s capable enough

[@SewAnastasia]

A top stitch is just a straight stitch so yes.

[@suaquanaohienthuong]

Cách này rất hay, cảm ơn chị nhiều

[@SewAnastasia]

Thank you for watching.

[@grat2010]

After you cut off the excess and zigzag the raw edges I got lost. It jumps from you zigzagging to you using the humper and I have no idea what is going on other than you are edge stitching and top stitching. Where are you sewing these last two things and how far apart are they from each other?

[@SewAnastasia]

Hummm maybe watch it again?

[@shallowphatgal]

I was also confused at first, as I missed where you said, “…and then we’re going to flip it over.” 😂

[@bethmeredith]

Thanks

[@SewAnastasia]

Totally 💯

[@jojocrater1]

Oh my god I had no idea about the hump jumper! The tears that could have been saved by this tool that I already have 🤦‍♀️

[@SewAnastasia]

Yeah it’s a weird looking tool that comes with most machines. It has lots of purposes.

[@jojocrater1]

@@SewAnastasia I’ll look into it! Thanks as always for the great tutorials 💕

[@agnesfonmarten]

What kind of sewing machine is that?

[@ConkreteMan]

I once had a pair of jeans taken in by a tailor. They hid the seam under a belt loop. At the time, I thought that was cool, but hiding it under the label is #jeanius !

[@SewAnastasia]

OOOO yeah the belt loop is a good idea too!

[@messenger8279]

What happened to trousers ?

[@thecurator2626]

I would feel very uncomfortable opening that part of my pants and trying to stitch it back without it coming open on me. Nevertheless, I’m saving the video in case I feel brave.

[@SewAnastasia]

You can do it!!!! You are just a seam ripper away!

[@happydog4929]

cool

[@SewAnastasia]

😎

[@nicolet7735]

Not me watching knowing full well I'm never going this 😆

[@SewAnastasia]

Haha 🤣

[@dellarussell7963]

Thank you! Thank God in JESUS CHRIST Name For His Goodness. AMEN 🙏🙏🙏

[@KSOF_Natty]

Thank you for telling how to undo the waistband 😑

[@SewAnastasia]

Totally! Happy altering. ❤️

[@georgegruschow]

Nice trick hiding the waist seam below the patch

[@SewAnastasia]

Learned it from your AG eBay pants! Lol 😂

[@kerbarn]

❤

[@SewAnastasia]

🥰

[@matildaefrosi6689]

❤🎉

[@333riseupxaymaca2]

Id love 4 yu to be myi teacher..

[@SewAnastasia]

I’m here! Sewanastasia.com

[@monkeyforever082]

As a seamstress myself. This is not the professional method on jeans.

[@SewAnastasia]

Oh what method do you use?

[@Moluccan56]

Would it be to make darts on either side of the centre seam? I just did that.

[@courtneyscott6055]

The end product looks great and it is super easy for beginner and intermediate sewers to understand though.

[@richardgolden3265]

Darts! On either side! One inch darts! In ten minutes time !! REALLY. Who gets rid of a flat felled rear-end jean seam and says doesn’t that look great as she points to the wrong gauge thread, and a less than neat “single“ pass. Huh?! Where is the heavy yellow thread a little more effort in re-creating what was there? . Come on, you can do better than that. I saw your piece on waist bands, and that attracted me to you but after seeing this, I’m so sorry.

[@PenelopeRose238]

You obviously don't have a big butt and small waist. Small darts on the yoke aren't enough. Darts through the yoke make the pockets gap and then they need to be repositioned.

[@tflores3445]

this is not easy wtf

[@SewAnastasia]

I'm sorry you are having a hard time. I hope your next time is easier. Happy sewing.

[@mewmew32]

aint nobody got time for all that... and they obviously don't look "just like before" since you didn't even want to show us the completed seam at the end.

[@SewAnastasia]

Well you should try it out. It will work for you. Sorry you think I left a shot out.

[@GothyMorm]

Um…she literally did show us. Seems like you’re just finding a reason to complain since you don’t want to put in the work.

[@kathyoneil5023]

This is a great result and creative way for Jeans alterations!!! I’m impressed. Too bad some comments need to be negative 😒

[@kriswalker3275]

Lol the whole point of sewing is taking time to do it.

[@chrissy24-7]

Wow, kinda makes me wonder what are you doing here? Away with you, Negative Nancy!

[@AngieCee1]

You had me at Slayer 🖤 love your videos!

[@SewAnastasia]

😊 woohoo 🥳 Happy to hear. Thank you for watching 🎀