People have been wearing jeans for several centuries and over time they are only becoming more popular. And there is no reason not to love them. Denim fabric is durable, products made from it are wearable and comfortable.
We can wear them for years and become attached to them. But suddenly the jeans become loose during washing or your child grows up, then there are several ways to lengthen short jeans.
Ways to lengthen jeans
Restoring your favorite trousers will take a little time, the main thing is to arm yourself with knowledge. You can lengthen your jeans with your own hands like this:
- Pull up the bottom of your trousers.
- Make inserts in the middle of the trouser legs along their entire circumference.
- Lengthen the product by stretching.
The first two methods are the most profitable and attractive, but they require some skills and abilities.
The last method can be tried by absolutely everyone and in any conditions. But keep in mind that if the fabric is made of elastane, the elastic thread may burst and blisters will form on the trousers in places where the thread is stretched or damaged.
If the jeans are made of denim, then you won’t be able to lengthen them too much, and in the best case, not for long.
Useful tips
- Before starting extension work, you need to wash the products;
- You need to choose materials for inserts carefully and sew them on with the utmost care. The new material should not tighten the base;
- It is better to choose light fabric; sewing heavy fabric to the product is much more difficult;
- Stretch by hand should be wetted items without any torn areas. The existing holes will lose their attractiveness during the process and will look sloppy;
- The stretching procedure should be especially careful near rhinestones, embroidery, and appliqués.
Lengthening jeans is a creative process. There are many options and everyone will choose the right one, based on the model, material, personal experience and imagination.
What should the length be and how to measure it
How to correctly measure the length of trousers? The classic measurement of trouser length is taken with a soft centimeter from the waist line to the bottom of the heel in the center of the back surface of the leg. You need to stand on the floor straight and without shoes. No need to measure length from the side or front.
But if you don’t want the front of the foot of the trousers to have a fold, then measure the length of the trousers to the middle of the heel - this will be the finished length of the product.
The length of the trousers depends on fashion and your preferences. Choose: 3/4, short (to the ankle), classic - cover the heel or slightly shorter (from the floor to the bottom edge of the trousers 1-3 cm).
The nuances of different types of stretching
To avoid deformation of the item, you need to take into account the composition of the fabric. There are natural and synthetic fibers that are included in denim - the degree of stretch depends on this.
Cotton
Women's cotton trousers will shrink after the first wash, but they should stretch easily. As a rule, it is enough to put the item on yourself so that it fits your figure. You can walk around in wet jeans until they dry, or run an iron and steam over them, stretching them with your hands.
Stretch
Stretch jeans beautifully hug the buttocks, calves and thighs, making the figure attractive. However, it is often difficult to put them on, especially if the product shrinks after washing. They are increased by one size using the same methods:
- carry it around by putting it on when wet;
- wet and pull vigorously in different directions (or use an expander);
- steam with an iron for 5-7 minutes.
It is advisable to put the product on yourself and fasten it with a zipper, otherwise it will be difficult to widen the trousers at the waist. If this fails, you can ask someone with a smaller size to wear jeans. After a few days, the volume will increase by 0.5-1 cm and they can be easily fastened.
How to make an insert in the middle of trousers
This option is difficult, but very interesting and unusual. You can cut trousers in different ways:
- straight cut;
- oblique cut.
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Consider a straight cut. We cut off the trousers exactly in the center of the knees, measuring in advance and drawing a straight line on the leg. We make the insert from identical fabric or similar in color and thread weave. Cut out a strip of the desired height and length and sew it on.
To style it, the insert can be cut into several pieces and re-sewn. Or, without cutting, make folds that are stitched with a double seam, imitating a cut.
If the jeans have a double decorative stitch on the side, then it will be difficult to sew the fabric not only by hand, but also by machine. Therefore, support the side stitching, sew the part and then topstitch with threads of the same color as before.
You can lengthen your jeans using unusual details - lacing or chains. Cut the trousers in the middle, higher or closer to the bottom. The cut edges can be hemmed, overlocked, or fluffed up as a fringe.
Then insert eyelets (small diameter metal rings) onto both parts of the trouser leg in parallel(!), at an equal distance from each other.
You can thread a cord through the eyelets, connecting both halves, without tightening it too much. You can also attach metal or plastic chains of the same length to the eyelets using rings.
Having cut the trouser legs diagonally, we very carefully cut out the fabric for insertion. It also needs to be cut obliquely so that the grain goes from bottom to top or vice versa. A lace insert will look very original.
The trouser sections can be processed or left as is. Place the lace insert on top and sweep it by hand, check for movement, and measure. Then stitch.
Lengthening sports pants
For the production of sportswear, elastic, knitted fabrics are usually used, so the best material for lengthening them is knitted elastic.
A cuff is cut out of it, which is sewn to the lower edge of the trouser leg. The cuff will be double, so its height is multiplied by 2 and a seaming allowance of 1.6 cm is added.
Sequencing:
- The cuffs are sewn down along the side seams, turned seam inside out and folded in half.
- Combine the inner seams of the trouser leg and cuff, baste the seam, stretching the elastic evenly.
- Once everything has gone well, the part is sewn on with an overlocker or zig-zag stitch, loosening the top thread.
Various finishing inserts made of contrasting, transparent or color-matching materials will help you lengthen your sweatpants.
The best option is if the fabrics match in stretchability, so that the stitching area looks neat. The inserts are placed under the knee, at knee level or at the bottom of the trouser leg.
How to lengthen jeans without scissors, needles and threads
Soak the jeans in slightly soapy water and let them drain a little. Then place it on a thick, dry towel or non-fading blanket and twist it into a tight rope.
Be sure to straighten and stretch your jeans before twisting. When the blanket or towel gets wet, change it to another one.
Then, stretching and twisting. Repeat this procedure until the jeans are almost dry. Then you can finish drying the trousers on the clothesline.
Unfortunately, the traction effect will not last long. In the heat of summer, soap granules can get on the skin and sting.
How to add a bottom
The easiest way is to take your jeans to a tailor and they will do everything for you in the best possible way. But you can tinker a little, making an original thing and the only one of its kind.
So, you can add the bottom of your jeans using the following fabrics:
- jeans (plain, contrasting or patterned);
- genuine leather;
- cotton, wool, silk or any other fabric, even brocade.
In addition to fabric, you can use:
- twill tape;
- braid, braid with fringe;
- lace;
- sewing (a strip of cotton with an ornament embossed along the edge, in the form of an embroidered pattern or hemstitch);
- accessories (chains, hooks, laces and eyelets).
Let's take a closer look at how you can lengthen jeans with your own hands. First, use a foam (a part for easy ripping) to open the hem of the bottom. Remove the threads and steam with an iron.
Try it on and decide how short your jeans are now. If the length is optimal, hem it. Finish the bottom with a zigzag or overlock stitch and tuck it in one layer by 0.5 cm.
You can not hem the edge, but fluff it up, making a fringe or sew on a factory one.
Think about what style your jeans will look like after restoration: business (as much as possible in jeans), work, stylish or glamorous-eccentric.
To find out how much to add to the bottom, measure the length of the trouser leg along the midline from the top (waistband) to the bottom edge. Then measure yourself or the person you are altering for. For example, we took measurements - the required length of the jeans is 115 cm, and the trousers (with the hem cut) are 111 cm (of which minus 1 cm for the seam), which means that a strip 10 cm high is needed to fold it in half. Plus 2 cm per seam.
In total, we cut a strip 12 cm high and 1 cm wider than the bottom of the trousers. Glue, hide, sew the side seam and sew to the bottom of the trousers. The side seam and the seam along the cuff can be stitched with two lines, like on jeans.
If you want to make a cuff at the bottom of the trousers, then you need to add another height to the required height (multiplied by two, since we make the hem fabric in two layers), to which you will always tuck.
Important! The bottom of the trousers gets dirty and worn out faster, so a beautiful and light fabric for the extension will look impressive, but not for long. A thick denim option would be optimal.
An insert or cuff made of genuine leather will be durable, but easy to care for. Poorly treated leather will bulge or shrink after washing. Jeans with leather inserts should not be dried on a radiator or heater to prevent the leather from becoming deformed.
If you choose an insert made of cotton, wool or other fabric, be sure to glue it with double-lined or non-woven fabric (strengthen it!).
Classic men's trousers are always hemmed at the bottom with twill tape to prevent the edge of the product from rubbing off. You can do the same with jeans, but first open the seam along the hemmed edge. Iron the bottom and sew on the ribbon.
The edge of the jeans does not need to be processed; it will remain inside. The tape needs to be placed on top, stitched, and then tucked inward and stitched along the other edge of the tape or sewn by hand. Finishing stitches can be made if desired.
How to lengthen men's jeans
It is better to add men's jeans using denim or regular fabric. Choose plaid, striped or plain fabric. It is better to put regular fabric on the bottom.
If you want to make your jeans more interesting, but not provocative, then make a denim insert in the middle of the trousers or just below the pockets.
An insert with many finishing lines, vertical, horizontal, and located diagonally, will look beautiful and quite stern, masculine. You can add more details in the form of a strap, pocket or valve.
An extension made of leather (smooth or suede) in a dark color will look impressive.
Basic ways to expand pants
You need to choose the appropriate method, taking into account the properties of denim fabric. It is recommended to first use the simplest and most accessible means for stretching clothes. If independent attempts to return the original size are unsuccessful, there is only one thing left to do - take the item to a studio to have inserts made.
Special expander
Jeans may shrink in the waistband after washing or simply become too small as a person gains weight. There is no need to rush to buy new trousers, because you can try stretching the fabric using an expander. Step-by-step instructions for working with the device:
- generously moisten the belt of the product with a spray bottle;
- button up your pants;
- insert the device and select the desired degree of stretch on the device;
- Leave the item on the expander for a couple of hours.
Before you widen your jeans on the sides, you need to choose a size. To do this, it is enough to divide the waist volume by 2. An ironing board can act as an expander, on which the wet product is also put on and left, but it is difficult to control the degree of stretching.
Using steam
You will need a steamer or iron with steam supply. Set the iron to the maximum temperature and iron the item for 5-10 minutes using hot steam. At the same time, you should try to pull the material wide with your hands. During the ironing process it should become damp, but do not iron until it expands - this will not happen quickly. Warm trousers are worn and walked in them for several hours; it is advisable to squat, lunge or swing your legs.
Note! This method is only suitable for 100% cotton. A material with elastic fibers in its composition (lavsan, spandex) is deformed under the influence of heat.
Water stretching
Not the most pleasant and simple method, but accessible. Suitable for pants made of any fabric that have shrunk after improper care. There are instructions on how to stretch jeans at home:
- put on the product (fasten it if possible) and sit in a bathtub filled with water;
- soak all the material with water, then actively pull it for ten minutes;
- take a bath for 10-20 minutes, then drain the water, do lunges, squats, and leg raises in the bath;
- walk around in clothes for up to half an hour;
- pull the belt over a board or chair and leave to dry (without this, the fabric will shrink).
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130 photos of cherry plum and video description of making jam and dishes with cherry plum. The method is affordable and effective, but takes a lot of time. The procedure is not pleasant, because you will not only have to take a bath in clothes, but also walk in them. The expansion method may not work the first time; sometimes you need to repeat 2-3 times to achieve the desired size.
Mechanical exercises
Stretching clothes mechanically is a quick method, but you need to act carefully, otherwise you can tear the fabric. First you will have to spend effort to put on a small product, and then work physically. It is recommended to present a physical education lesson: squatting, bending, doing leg swings, lunges.
Additional Information. Putting on any pants will be much easier if you lie on your back. Additionally, you can tighten your stomach.
sewing machines
A radical method is to reduce the allowances in the side seams or the bottom of the trouser legs. You can increase the width or length by 20-40 mm depending on the allowance. The seams are ripped out, split, tried on and a new line is marked. All that remains is to stitch in the designated places on the machine, and also process the cuts using an overlocker.
Inserting stripes
Inserting fabric on the sides of the trouser legs is a solution for those who still cannot cope with stretching the item. How to widen jeans on the sides; they become too small and tight:
- measure your hips and waist circumference;
- measure trousers (waistband, hips, length);
- calculate how many centimeters the volume needs to be increased;
- cut out 2 inserts of the required size from fabric;
- undo the waistband and undo the side seams;
- baste (temporarily sew with thread folded once) stripes;
- try on the product and adjust it according to your figure if necessary;
- Sew the stripes to the side seams using a sewing machine;
- baste and stitch the belt.
The process requires accuracy, time, and certain skills in working with a sewing machine. Otherwise, the old pants will be damaged, so if you have no experience in sewing, it is recommended to visit a workshop.
Stripes are often made from contrasting fabric, since it is difficult to find denim that matches the color and texture. By making inserts from leather or knitwear, you will get an original item in a single copy.
How to lengthen women's jeans
To increase the length of women's jeans, all the options proposed above are appropriate. Tenderness and femininity will be emphasized by decorative details, bright fabrics, lace or sewing. Translucent lace sewn above the knees will look sexy.
Lacing with chains and eyelets for eccentric, daring and extraordinary people.
Fabric inserts with roses, polka dots or geometric shapes will help jeans take on a more playful, bright and attractive look.
Necessary materials
Before starting the process, you should prepare materials. To change the length you will need:
- scissors;
- a stationery knife, seam ripper or nail scissors;
- threads with a similar shade of material or finishing stitch;
- sewing machine or needles for hand sewing; for knitwear and elastic products, it is preferable to choose an overlocker;
- centimeter and ruler;
- soap or chalk;
- fabric scraps, trouser braid for men's products (if it is not included in the model), decorative braid or lace for girls;
- iron, piece of gauze;
- knitted fabric for sports pants; elastic material can be used as cuffs.
How to lengthen children's jeans
For children's trousers, most of the methods described can be used, with the exception of chain inserts and eyelets to avoid injury.
It is very convenient to add knitted cuffs to children's jeans or simple trousers, which are sold in specialized stores. The width of the cuff varies, as does the height. It’s very easy to sew on; you don’t have to rip the hem of the trousers.
Children's jeans can easily be lengthened not only at the bottom, but also at the top, as well as in the middle of the trousers. Because in children's clothes, inserts always look harmonious if everything is sewn neatly and tastefully.
For an extension at the top, the belt is ripped off and a wide cuff or wide elastic band is sewn on.
Bows, buttons, pockets, flaps or patches will enliven children's trousers.
Interesting, but not that, be smart and figure out how else you can lengthen your jeans!
What can you do if your jeans are short?
Short-length men's, women's or children's jeans can be lengthened in various ways; a master class of each option will be discussed in detail. Most often, the question of lengthening trousers arises among young mothers with children. After all, kids quickly outgrow new, recently purchased things. Before you begin, you should determine what the updated pants should look like in the end. They will be strict, classic or modern, original. Based on this, you can choose one of the most suitable extension options. This:
- insertion of other fabric, cuffs, braid or lace;
- changing the edge length;
- methods without the use of needles and threads, consisting of pulling the material.
The easiest way to lengthen your trousers a little is to change the hem length. The same can be said about seamless methods, where ordinary water is used to increase the height of the product. Fabric, lace inserts or sewing cuffs allow you to completely transform jeans - women's or children's, giving them a special style, glamor and charm. But such methods require skills, patience and accuracy from the craftswoman. With their help, you can lengthen jeans to any height, even if they were once specially cut short.
Photo tips on how to lengthen jeans
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Pulling in length using mechanical movements
If you want to stretch your jeans to your desired size, you need to use a very simple and proven method. Lightly wet the trousers in water or wet them completely, but without waiting for complete drying, proceed to the next steps. Take them in your hands and lower them vertically to the floor so that you can step on the edge of the pant legs. Press them with your feet, leaning with all your weight, and at the same time pull them up. This way you can easily add a few centimeters of length. An excellent solution to stretching your jeans quickly and efficiently is to ask someone to help you.
Increasing the overall length
Increasing the overall length of clothing is more difficult, but it is also possible. The easiest way is to add a bottom layer, creating a layered effect. This option can be used with dresses, skirts, sweatshirts, sweatshirts, tunics and other clothing. In this case, it is better to choose a fabric of similar texture and density, but of a different color.
Clothes for girls, as in the case of sleeves, can be lengthened with a strip of lace or guipure. Modern fashion allows you to decorate clothes of any style with lace, even sportswear. You can use lace in a contrasting color. White lace is appropriate for any occasion.
If the child has grown up and the waistline of the dress has risen, simple lengthening is not enough. You can change the dress slightly by emphasizing the high waist. The easiest way in this case is to complement the dress with a wide belt at the waist line or sew in a cord to tighten the dress at a high waist. If the waistline is not clearly defined, you can narrow the skirt of the dress and visually hide the division into the upper and lower parts. Another option is to trim the waistline with a wide ribbon in a bright color, lowering the waistline due to the width of the ribbon.
No problem, everything can be fixed, find pieces of suitable fabric in your supplies, and then get to work!
After all, a thrifty housewife never throws away even unnecessary clothes if there are good pieces of material left in them, even suitable for knee patches!
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As a rule, children do not get fat as quickly as they stretch out - they grow. Therefore, our task will be to increase the length of the pants.
Increasing trousers size
To prevent the pants from chafing in the groin, you can sew in a gusset. A gusset is a piece of fabric sewn in at the intersection of the side and crotch seams. The gusset is usually placed on home pants (tights or sweatpants, for example) or on children's clothes. Such trousers become much stronger, since there is no weak point where many seams come together. How to sew a gusset into pants:
- Cut out the gusset itself from a plain material. In most cases, this is a rhombus 20-25 cm long and 4-7 cm wide. Sizes must be selected based on the current situation.
- Open the crotch seam to a length slightly less than the length of the gusset.
- Baste or pin the gusset on one side, then machine sew with an inside seam.
- Perform the same operation on the other side of the gusset.
On classic-fit trousers with a grosgrain, you need to get to the inner seam. To do this, the tape is ripped open, and underneath there is a seam that passes from the main fabric to the waist part.
- Measure out the portion of the allowance needed to increase the size and make a mark with chalk.
- From the mark, lay a new seam going to the existing one.
- After this, you can rip out the old seam. The place where the old seam was must be completely cleared of threads and ironed.
- All that remains is to sew part of the inner bodice in place. Thus, the waist part of the trousers will become one size wider.
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To increase the size of trousers at the hips or in the groin area, sew in panels or gussets as described above.
Increasing length with an iron
An excellent option would be to place the damp trousers on an ironing board and iron them. Pull each section of the trouser leg as long as possible and iron it. Wet fabric will stretch and dry out after it has been stretched.
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Walk along the entire length of each pant leg on both sides at least once (as needed to dry completely). If you are tall, these methods will easily help you solve the problem of short jeans.
