How to Taper Pants

Tapered pants are making a big comeback! You can see them on the runways, at department stores, on the pages of magazines, and pretty much everywhere you look nowadays. While this trend may have been out of style for a few years, it’s definitely come back in a very big way. There’s a good reason, too; they look super polished and just make an outfit look more put together.

If you’ve recently purchased pair of pants – whether they’re made out of denim and chambray, wool, knit, linen, flannel, fleece, or any other material – and they’re just too wide, you could always have a tailor take them in; but, that can end up costing you more than the pants did! If you know you’re way around a sewing machine or even if you’re good with a hand sewing needle, you can taper those pants yourself and safe yourself a lot of money; plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it on your own!

So, how do you taper pants? In this sewing help guide, we’ll cover the basics of this project.

Step 1

Start by turning the pants inside out. If you’re tapering your own pants, put them on; if you’re tapering them for someone else, have that person put the pants on. When the trousers are turned inside out, the original seams will be visible, which makes it easier to take the stitches out, cut the fabric, and create a new seam; plus, it hides the markings that you’re going to need to make on the pants.

Step 2

Determine where you want to taper the pants by pinching in the inner and outer seams. The taper can start anywhere you’d like; just above the knee, right at the knee, on the shins, or closer to the ankle.

Step 3

Use a piece of chalk, a pencil, or a piece of soap to mark the location where you would like to place the new seam. Use a ruler to make sure that your lines are straight before you start cutting and sewing.

Step 4

Remove the original seam from the points where you would like to taper the pants. Don’t forget to pull out the broken thread!

Step 5

Flatten the pants and line up the raw edges. Draw a another line ½ an inch from the first line you made in the pants. This line will serve as the new raw edges of the pants.

Step 6

Cut the pants along the second line. Doing so will remove the excess fabric that you want to remove from the garment.

Step 7

Place pins along the first line you drew on the pants. This will serve as the new seam for your pants. Pinning the material will hold it together as you create the new seam.

Step 8

Time to sew a new seam! Whether you’re sewing with a machine or by hand, you’re going to want to use a durable thread, like denim or wool. Sew a straight stitch along the initial line you drew on the pants, starting from the bottom of the leg and working your way up. Add in a backstitch when you’ve reached the end of your line to secure the seam.

That’s it! Using these simple steps, you can taper any pair of pants in your wardrobe!

 

image: https://www.clothingpatterns101.com/tapered-pant.html