Quick Jean Fix
April 18th, 2007 by Jen LoveMy boy has trouble keeping his pants pulled up. Well, since he is only 15 months old I am not too worried about it yet, but I would like him to be able to wear the box of new pants he has before it is too hot for pants. He is 15 mo. but barely wears 12 mo. pants because he is a skinny little guy. Even the half-elastic waistband is often not enough so I borrowed this idea usually found in clothing for fast-growing elementary and pre-teens: the inner adjustable button.
All you need is: elastic, 2 small buttons, a seam ripper, and sewing machine or needle.
1. I cut 2 pieces of 1/2″ elastic about 2″ long. (adjust to the amount you need garment taken in)
2. I used the seam ripper to cut a slit to fit my button toward the end of each elastic piece. (this was easier than using the button holer, if it frays a little it will be okay.)
3. Line up how much you want the elastic drawn in and sew button into pants.
4. With button through your elastic hole, pull elastic to desired place and sew vertically over opposite elastic end. I did not make it adjustable with more than one button but you easily could.
This literally took me about 5 minutes and I think will save me some money if I don’t have to skip a season with his pants. Any other tips for fitting thinner kids in their clothes?
April 18th, 2007 at 3:38 am
That is a great idea. Although I don’t think I’m going to have a problem with Peyton’s clothes being too big, it will probably be the opposite. This is a great idea for making your own maternity clothes as well. I had a few pairs of maternity dress pants that had the elastic and buttons on the sides that could adjust as you got bigger.
April 18th, 2007 at 7:03 am
I had maternity pants like that and Lydia actually has a pair like that. But what a great idea to do. Lydia is the same, she’s just wearing 12 months. I *think* I might be crafty enough to do that!
April 18th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Wow, I wish I’d known about this trick earlier! Mine (22 months), too, is SKINNY and I’ve forever had problems finding pants that fit him, because if they DO fit in the waist, then they’re waaay too short. And if they fit in the length, then you could fit two of him in the waist. I’ll definitely be trying this with his pants.
April 18th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
I sort of did the same with my daughter’s pants a few months back minus the elastic. The girl is a skinny-minnie and all of her pants were too big (she’s 3 and was needing to be in a 3T for length, but could still wear a 2T in the waist). I just sewed a small seam in the waistband on both sides. As she grew, I clipped out the seam on one side and then eventually the other. I think they’re now all back to normal, but now they’re getting too short so I’ll be doing it again to the next size up!
April 19th, 2007 at 3:44 am
I too have skinny waisted children and I too am between sizes with trousers, so I have always had to add elastic to our trousers and shorts. I usually just sew a piece all along the back or two pieces at the side like yours but I don’t use the button. This would be better to get a more snug fit or to be able to let my pants our after lunch……
April 19th, 2007 at 7:41 am
Genius! Hunter has teh same issue that NONE of his pants stay up. Thanks!
April 21st, 2007 at 11:56 am
Brilliant! I wish I had such fabulous ideas. I was so glad when they started putting them in pats at target and old navy, but never thought to do it on my own. But I am glad to know someone who is so smart cause then I can adopt your ideas for my tall skinny kids.
July 20th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
This was a stroke of genius!! Thank you so much for sharing it.