The Secret for 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. Let me tell you my secret for how to taper pants.

Taper pants, or tapered jeans as they are also known, have become one of the most popular cuts for both men and women. Taper pants have become a favorite among celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike, as they allow for the freedom of movement that is usually present in jeans.

While many prefer these pants because they make for a sexy look, there are those out there who wish to learn how to taper pants so that they can get the perfect fit for their individual needs.

One of the first things to know about how to taper pants is what kind of waist size you should be looking for when shopping for a pair. The waist size of a tapered pair of jeans is measured by the space between your hip and the tapered part of the pants. The tapered waist is characterized by a gradual decrease in waistline, from the top of the taper to the hip.

Taper pants are great for people looking to slim down and can be worn to the office or a casual night out with friends. Just because they’re tapered doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on style and comfort when you purchase a pair.

To start, measure your hips, including the area between them and the top of your waistline. With your measuring tape, begin to taper your waistline by removing one inch from each side. You should want your pants to be tight around your hips, but not tight enough to feel constricting.

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 save yourself a lot of money; plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it on your own!

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

Step 1

What You Will Learn

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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 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!

How to Taper Pants