I know that I am not the only one to struggle to find the perfect pair of jeans. I read recently that Tommy Hilfiger doesn’t wash his jeans. I can’t imagine not washing my jeans because they are my work-a-day pants. I should probably not dry my jeans, but I do. And they shrink. I really don’t like the stretch jeans, either. I believe they shrink even more than standard jeans and I don’t need the denim to be clinging to my curves.
My goal is to sew my own jeans – trouser style. But until then, I will remain in the quest for the perfect pair of jeans. I thought I had found them in Style & Co. jeans from Macy’s. However, it didn’t take long for the jeans to become uncomfortable. I’m vain enough not to share a photo of me in the jeans. But from the photo above, you can see that the waistband is crunched down. The problem, for me, is that most current jeans have a waistband that sits well below the waistline. That point also happens to be where my belly is largest. So the waistband scrunches, falls, pinches. I am constantly fussing with it. I had been thinking about replacing the waistband for some time.
I was inspired to finally make the waistband when I bought this pair of Lee Comfort Waistband pants. They are lined with elastic – not like granny pants – gathered in, but just to give the pants a little bit of stretch. I considered using a wide elastic to do something similar with the jeans, but decided to experiment with denim first.
1. Beginning at one end, unpick the stitches. My husband removed the rivet for me. He put the jeans in a vice and used a hack saw to cut it off.
2. When you get to the belt loops, remove the stitches from the inside to minimize damage to the fabric.
3. Continue until the entire waistband is removed.
4. I purchased a quarter yard of non-stretch denim and washed and dried it on the highest temperature. I used some stash cotton to use as the waistband lining. I also wanted to keep the bulk to a minimum.
5. Cut the denim to a 3.5″ wide strip.
6. Measure the distance around the top of the jeans. (It helps to compare that to your waist measurement, also.) I wanted my waistband to overlap, so I added 5 extra inches or so. You can adjust it afterward if necessary, so start with a little longer length than you think you need.
7. Place right sides together and sew around three sides of the waistband starting on the short side.
8. Trim corners, turn inside out and press. (Note my new ironing board cover which I won from Oliso!)
9. With the jeans facing you, start pinning on the left side. Match right sides together – denim to denim and pin.
At the beginning, you will have to move the lining fabric out of the way.
Here is the waistband pinned all the way around – and with the excess hanging off the right side. If your waistband is too large, you can shorten it at this point.
10. Stitch the waistband to the pants, being careful not to stitch the lining.
11. Fold the lining under and press.
12. Pin the lining in place.
13. Stitch the lining in place. You can do this from the underside or from the top side. I chose to sew it in place from the top side using a stitch in the ditch method. It would be easiest to transfer the pins to the outside, but I just felt for the pins from the underside.
14. Edge stitch around the entire waistband on the top. You can use a denim thread if desired. I simply used a standard blue thread. I added two buttonholes and buttons.
The waistband is now higher and sits at my natural waist. I will see if it rolls like the other band. For now, however, it is much more comfortable and it has eliminated the muffin top. I haven’t tucked in my shirts for quite a while now. But even without tucking, I believe the muffin top was visible underneath my tops. This new waistband eliminates the muffin top and creates a comfortable fit. Next stop – sewing my own jeans
I certainly hopes this works for you! I have believed for a long time that jeans are not designed for my aging body. I have the same waistband scrunch on mine. I hate it. I recently purchased a couple of pairs of Not Your Daughter’s Jeans. While they are expensive, they fit me better than any jeans have in a very long time. And yes, I wash them!
you’re a magician.
really you are.
Great idea! Will be doing this, thank you!
I too, have that problem i wear a belt and that helps some. Most of my problem is that they don’t stay up. I can go down a size,either. so maybe this will work for me. thanks!!!!!
Brilliant! I have a whole stack of jeans to re-do. Thanks for the tutorial!
Love it … I’ve done the cut a “V” in the waistband side and insert fabric to give that little bit extra but that didn’t quite do the trick. I do like this idea and might just have to give it a try!
I have got to try this!
Great idea for all of us aging hippies who won’t give up wearing Levi’s. Thanks!
I agree, no one will get me out of my jeans LOL. I found a video on youtube by Angela Wolf from It’s Sew Easy that show how to make jeans. I found it very helpful.
I’ve done this a time or two, but I’ve found I can get a better fit in some of the better thrift shops. I get outdated styles that aren’t cut so low. I’m in my late 60s and I can’t wear these low slung styles with comfort. I’m not overweight but by a very few pounds, but I’m not comfortable in the low-cut styles or the skinny jeans. My granddaughter, age 24, is not comfortable in those styles either and she’s between a size 3 and 5. If I were a clothes manufacturer, I’d take note. Today’s women are far too heavy for the styles they’re making, as are many of the young girls. I have made jeans. There are about 14 pieces in a true jean and they’re not the easiest thing to make and to get to fit. Years ago I couldn’t afford Gloria Vanderbilt jeans and my daughter wanted them. I labored over them until I got them perfect and they fit her perfectly. She wouldn’t wear them as I couldn’t duplicate the Gloria Vanderbilt name over the back pocket. They were black, top-stitched in white. My granddaughters, thankfully, aren’t as brand conscious as my daughter was. Thanks for showing women how they can make today’s unwearable jeans wearable. Shirley
I have a couple of pairs or jeans, From a store here called Catos. I noticed the ones that are the most comfortable, in the waist band are the ones where the denim is cut on the bias. Gives the most stretch. Some stretchy denims are nice and comfy but some grow as the day goes on and want to slide down on me. My tummy is about the same size as my hips as I have a full tummy and flat bottom, so that doesn’t help. I am curious as to how the Lee jeans have the elastic attached. How does the denim stretch with the elastic?
Brenda <><
What a great idea!! Thanks!!
Great tutorial! I must try it!
Brilliant thank you so much for sharing bye bye to my muffin top yaaaay
I’m curious if anyone has tried Velcro instead of buttonholes and buttons!
I have not tried that yet Krista, but let me know if you do!
You did a very professional job. I have done alterations professionally for over 25 years and have been sewing for another 25 before that. Some of the ideas I see on line are interesting but are like scratching a chalkboard to me. They might get the job done for some but aren’t pretty.
Have you tried just adding another waist band to the existing one after removing the belt loops? I’ve got a stack of worn out knee and thigh seam jeans I’ve been saving to salvage pieces of, thought of using the waist bands this way?
I need to stop thinking and just do it!
I have never thought of that, Cecelia! It sounds easier than removing the waistband. And, yes, we tend to overthink, so just do it!
I have done that but i did leave the belt loops and they turned out awesome i love having the extra loops because i can put my belt in the higher one or the lower ones staggered them so they arent in the same place . I kind of like having a belt in both bands too!
HI, this is a great idea. I was actually looking for help to convert a pair of trousers, with a very high waste and waistband, into a lower waste, and maybe adding an elastic waistband instead of the tailored waistband. Any suggestions for that? It is a pair of pants I got at a thrift shop, but I love the color.. by the way they are lined too! Thanks
That’s an interesting change. Have you seen, at the department stores, pants with a wide elastic band rather than a waistband? It is usually in one piece. I wonder if you can simply do something like that. You would have to be able to pull it on with the zipper closed. If that doesn’t work, I might try to create an elastic band (whether with a stretchy fabric, or a fabric tube with regular elastic in it.) And treat this stretchy band as a waistband – so have the zipper go all the way up through it.
I have done that but i did leave the belt loops and they turned out awesome i love having the extra loops because i can put my belt in the higher one or the lower ones staggered them so they arent in the same place . I kind of like having a belt in both bands too!