Tools and Materials Required
Taking up pant legs without a sewing machine is a daunting task. However, there are general tools and materials you need to carry with you in order to be successful in this endeavour. Most notably, you will need a pair of trousers that need to be taken in, a needle, thread, fabric scissors, iron, pins, and some chalk for marking. If you have access to a sewing machine, you may wish to use this instead of completing the task by hand.
Getting Started
The first step should involve laying out the garment on a flat surface, preferably a large table. This will give you quite a bit of space to work on the pants. Ensure that the pants have all their buttons and zippers secured before beginning the procedure. The seams must also be opened up to give you more room to manoeuvre. After you’ve set up the trousers and checked that all the necessary tools and materials are in place, begin taking them apart by opening the seams. Make sure to mark the seams with chalk before doing this so you know where they need to be sewn back together once the alteration has been completed.
Altering the Pants
Once you’ve opened up the seams and marked them, it’s time to begin taking in the pant legs. It’s essential to check the fit of the pant legs before starting. Pin around the seams where you want to take in the fabric. If the trousers are too loose, pinch the fabric on the side of the garment in order to take the slack away. Continue pinning until you’re satisfied with the fit. Don’t forget to mark the pins with the chalk so they can be easily located once you begin sewing.
Finishing Up
The next step is to begin sewing the seams back together. If you’re using a sewing machine, you can attach the fabric to the machine using a standard stitch and sew the fabric back together. If you’re completing the task by hand, use a backstitch to fasten the seams together. Again, it is essential to use the chalk to mark any areas that need to be sewn. Once the seams have been joined together, check the fit of the trousers. If the fit is satisfactory, iron the pant legs and finish the garment by completing any necessary hemming or buttoning.
Stitching Up Holes
It is also possible to take in pant legs with a needle and thread, even if you don’t have access to a sewing machine. To do this, start by finding any holes and tears in the garment. Any holes that you find will need to be stitched up in order to maintain the original structure of the garment. Secure the fabric together with a backstitch, making sure to repeat the stitching until the hole is filled. Once the hole has been stitched up, the fabric can then be taken in.
Tuck and Pin Method
Another way to take in pant legs without a sewing machine is to use the tuck and pin method. Start by folding the material in on itself while pinning it into position. This method can be used to take in small amounts of fabric, such as on waistbands or pockets. If the fabric needs to be taken in more than an inch, the tuck and pin method is not recommended.
Using a Presser Foot
If you do have access to a sewing machine, you can use a presser foot attachment to take in pant legs. This will allow you to easily take in a great deal of fabric at once. Set the stitch length to the longest possible setting, and then adjust the speed of the machine. Put the pant legs under the presser foot, and then lower it as you go. This will help you control the amount of fabric that is taken in while also making sure that you don’t over-take the fabric.
Test Fitting Pants
It is important to test the fit of the pants after taking them in. Pull the pants up and check that there is no excess fabric, and that the fit is comfortable. After all alterations have been completed, wear the pants around to make sure that the fit is satisfactory. If not, you can make further adjustments until the desired fit is achieved.
Cutting Away Unwanted Fabric
If the pant legs are still too baggy after taking in the fabric, you can opt to cut away excess material. Use a pair of fabric scissors to trim away the material, but be sure to keep a safe distance from the seams. Once the desired fit has been achieved, try the trousers on again and ensure that the fit is satisfactory. And with this, you have now learned how to take in pant legs without a sewing machine.
