I've always wondered if it was possible to make thrifted jeans bigger!! So glad this is an option. I was always told that I would need to lose weight to fit jeans that were a little too small, which is so toxic and frustrating. Clothes are meant to fit you, you are not meant to fit them!

To believe I've called a couple of different tailors and they said that this was not possible .. only for you to be able to do it at home .. I'm very impressed

Another thing that you could do if you have those jeans with a leather patch on the waistband, remove the patch and make the cut where the patch is, put in your strip there, then sew the leather patch back over it. That strip will be hidden beneath the leather patch. Then finish as directed. You did a beautiful job. Much nicer than the triangular piece up to the top of the waistband, that so many people try.

Fabulous! Now I’ll be able to wear my favourite jeans again! Well, I will, when I’ve altered them. Thank you!

This is by far the subtlest and most classy looking upsizing alteration I've been able to find! The other ideas people have shared would work, but honestly just don't LOOK good. No one wants a giant black elastic triangle on a pair of jeans they love. I am looking forward to trying it on a pair of jeans I'm dying to wear again.

I have been sewing for 60 years. I have skills but have never attempted an alteration like this. I really wanted to wear some pants that were just too tight. You to the rescue! I went for it and the turned out great. I used a cute print fabric since I didn’t have any denim pieces. A couple of boo-boos along the way to overcome: don’t add a twist to the waistband when adding the piece in back for one! Thank you!

Excellent tutorial! I am a novice sewer and was nervous to take on this project for a pair of jeans that were probably 2 sizes too small in the waist. Your directions were so clear. Thank you!

Such a brilliant way to do this! Especially when you find a pair of Jean that *almost* are a perfect fit! Thx for sharing!

This is definitely what I'm looking for! So far yours is the most subtle and "invisible?" jeans upsize, I love it! No weird cutting nor out of place black fabric, lol

Wow. Thank you so much. If I wore the jeans that fit my waist, I would look so ridiculous due to my body shape. I started to really hate shopping because it makes me feel horrible about myself. The ease tip is amazing and you did so well hiding the extra fabric. I definitely want to learn more.

Thanks so much, this was really helpful! I saved a pair of thrifted jeans I thought weren't going to work. :)

This is the best video to make the waist bigger that I have seen! i have been looking and looking and everything looks so 'hacked' and unprofessional. This is great, thanks so much!!

I love how you put the piece of fabric at the back of the jeans rather than the sides … it hides the alteration so much better …. Love it… thank you so much 💖

Excellent. I have two pairs of vintage 31w -- 34 Leg LEVIS 544 - with 20inch bottoms. I can still squeeze into one pair but not the other. My mum has retired from constantly fixing my jeans - but she got me a sewing machine for my recent birthday. I pick it up this weekend. Reportage de Progreso PRONTO Cheers from a skint 54 year old Muso dude from Spain

I love thrifting specifically for jeans. I have an unreal collection of jeans. I see a nice vintage pair and I buy it regardless of size. I have several that are too tight or too loose. I just followed along with your video and tailored my levi 501. They fit perfectly and you can hardly tell it was altered. This is such a great idea. Now I need to find a good method for taking in a few inches. Thanks!

I am a hobby-seamstress and most of my projects are making pants/jeans bigger for my customers and this video was just _perfect_ to watch and have in my 'go-to library' :D Thank you!!

This is such a helpful video for me. Bless you!❤😊

You look really good in those jeans.

Wonderful explanation thank you so much!!!

Thanks for the video. Although I did not alter jeans, it gave me the confidence to alter a different style of pants. It work great and now they fit! Thanks!!!!

This is amazing, it had never occurred to me that I could remove the waistband like that. I always have trouble with the waist being too high in front while the jeans are otherwise perfect, now I realize I can remove the waist in the front and lower it an inch, and not lose the perfect fit in the back. Thank you!

This is great. I have never seen the trick of leaving the top band in place on the side and filling in the back. Trying this now! And those pants look great on you. Really well customized.

Omg you are brilliant! Thank you! You break it down and it seems so doable! I’m going to give it a go😊

I am also an Apple shape (now that I’m well into my 50’s ! So this is very helpful! Thank you. I just recently discovered your channel and I’m viewing all your content 🙂.

You are absolutely stunning! Thank you for the tutorial, it is immensely helpful!

Awesome! Thank you. I'll give that a try. You're sewing job looks great and you look great in the pants.

Thank you so much for your wonderful tutorial. 💖

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I found some vintage Levi’s that fit with the exact same problems you had so I immediately trusted this tutorial! This is my first time sewing outside of a knitting or crochet project, so easy to follow along!

Excellent tutorial! Thank you so much! ❤️

This was great! You explained everything so well!

Clear, excellent tutorial! TY.

Wow, such a great tutorial. I had a pair of expensive jeans that shrunk quite a bit in the waist after the first wash. I took my time, and they turned out perfect! Thankyou.

Thank you for your tutorial since gaining weight I haven't been comfortable wearing my jeans. Your tutorial has made me want to attempt to do it.

LOVE the Alterations videos (as well as the others). Thanks.

You made this look so easy ❤❤❤ Do you have a tutorial on the opposite when the waistband and yoke bulges out please?

Super helpful! Thank you!!

Great info! I've actually done the reverse by taking off the back part of the waistband & sewing smart darts to bring it in then resewing the waistband & middle belt loop.

Omg amazing thanks so much!!! Found the perfect pants today but yeah, they are a bit tight! Excited to try this out!

Brilliant adjustments!

Thank you! I ordered the cutest shorts for a trip. They fit perfectly except the tight waist You're saving my denim shorts!

I go to my seamstress over where I live and usually ask her to add fabric at the back of The waist. Another really few useful tips to keep your jeans looking like new is i always turn inside out on delicate cycle and wash in a laundry mesh bag followed by hanging them to dry

I absolutely hate jeans but I still found this very informative for regular pants, thank you! 😊😊👍

Awesome, thank you. If I slow it down and watch it 10 times hopefully I'll figure out this magic :)

Thank you for this great tutorial, I really need this for my apple shaped body. How did you determine how many inches to increase your waistband ? Could you use elastic instead of woven or matching fabric for the insert.

Thank you for this tutorial! I have a thrifted pair of men's jeans that are a wee bit small in the waist so this is invaluable info. thanks again :) x

Thank you so much. I been wanting to do this alteration and I didn’t to know how to do it. Tomorrow I’m going to make it. Yeah!! 👌🤩👏👏😍😍😍😍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Great tutorial!

Great tutorial!🙏

Great video thank you.

I just bought two pairs of jeans that need this exact same thing done, so thank you for sharing.

I'm going to try this

Thanks exactly what I needed

Really great alteration vid. Nice job!

Wow, was just looking on Amazon earlier to get an idea on how to make button extenders because I bought some jeans on ThredUP for $12 that is a size I wear in other brands that fits well everywhere else (especially with a 35” inseam), but the waist decided to taunt me. I didn’t think this was possible. Needed this. Now I didn’t have to sit and sulk about passing them on to someone else, because we all know how hard it is to find a good pair of jeans that fit right in certain places …. to only have that one place that taunts you and has you questioning your body. Liking, saving, downloading, I’d print it if I could lol. This will be my next project because I _desperately_ want to wear them, so thank you for sharing!

Thank you for sharing

Great job

I am so thankful for your video! I tried taking my shorts up in the back and they didn't fit at all. I tried it according to your video and they fit perfect! Thank you soooo much! ❤ 7:49

Wow. So informative.

Great job😊

I’m not much of a machine sewer, but you’ve got me interested. I don’t have much of a waist, so my jeans are always too small and the rest is perfect!

Hai fatto proprio un ottimo lavoro

Thanks! This was very helpful!

Thank you for creating this tutorial. I followed for a pair of shorts that were just too tight around the waist area and while it took me around 2-3 hours they look as good as when I started. Thank you for making it so easy to follow!

looks great

Wow that’s great I did mine but didn’t go through all of that awesome thanks

Great tutorial

What a great job

I have a wedge of elastic added to mine. They just cut down 2-4 inches and add in a thick triangle of elastic, works perfectly and gives me some waist stretch.

Fantastic!!!!!!

I'm currently on the hunt for some relaxed fit/wide leg jeans and haven't been able to find any. I'm getting to the point where i am thinking about just making them. But thanks to this i might try some altering insted.

Very good!

Beautiful job! Loved it. Can you talk about variations? I’d like to see a denim colored stretch elastic in place of non stretch fabric for those days when a period makes some hold more water. Also, more lighting please!

Love your videos, I too like to thrift but was Wowed by your jeans waist allowance. Thanks for that tip

They look great on you!

Thanks !

My sister gave me a lovely pair of her old jeans that are too small for me around the waist. Definitely need to give this a try - though worried my basic sewing machine won't handle the belt part of the denim. Only one way to find out!

Thank you !!😊😊😊😊😊❤

What an amazing job!! 👏👏👏👏 And you explained everything so well. Wish I had these skills to fix my clothes 🥴 thank you for posting the type of machine you used, and the skillshare classes and tutorials? 😱🙌🙏🙏💖💖💖🤗🤗 I have to check everything out now. Bravo!

Thank you!!!

Thank so much

Great job 👏

wow, one of the best f'n sewing tutorial vids ever for those of us not afraid to really get in there and alter shit. fellow thrift-addict here and also diy sewer and way too many other things so yeah, perfect! i have a straight 'boyish' /'athletic' body shape with barely any hip-to-waist ratio (tho fake it with styling and fit/cut), so i have hips and butt (thankfully for at least some femme shape lol) but waist doesn't go 'in' as much as the avg woman in my size does, so waists rarely fit, but rest of the item fits. i used to say 'my waist doesn't go in as much as it should/looks like it should for my size' but now i try not to say that using the 'should', cuz hey, we all have something right? esp with rtw, and even more so vintage finds. lol anyway thx again! gonna attempt this and maybe will make a vid to show the results. i just scored the most awesome vintage levi's -- full-on 100% cotton thick denim 90's dark green high waisted straight/mom'ish jeans and of course the waist is like a fucking corset. like 'jaws of life needed both to close and open them' tight fr lol. i've done various stretching schemes and the ol' open up cut triangles on the side seams with other items --like reverse darts basically (?? self-taught so likely using the wrong term but i think you'll know what i mean), but don't wanna do that to such a pristine vintage item so was like 'stop being lazy, you know how to sew, look up a more 'legit' pro way.' and voila, how i got here. :)

Thank you for showing me how to make jeans larger. It is appreciated. It

So helpful, thank you! I have a pair of white jeans I need for a uniform that I can’t even get over my thighs. I don’t want to buy more as they’ve never been used, going to try this! The legs are a bit long too so I’m hoping to take the extra fabric off the cuffs

Well done. Seamless. :-)

I have gained weight and I cannot wear a pair of jeans I bought. I know I have to lose weight but this is a short term solution. I’ll do it, it looks amazing 😍

Wow, this is amazing! I think I could do this technique on my own but I paid so much for these jeans I’m going to ask an alterations lady to use your technique for me

Not sure if commented! But it was such a great tutorial and well done. I have sued it and love this method.

Love that !!!!

Thank you... I really needed to resize my boyfriend's work pants, i guess he likes my cooking :p and this tutorial is perfect!

hi! thank you so much for posting this! I was hoping maybe you could help me out here with some advice. i am a beginner at sewing but i completely understand what youre saying in this tutorial. i have a pair of pants that came with a cosplay i bought that were too long and just a little too tight around the waist area. they are low rise, and unfortunately, there arent any side seams. there is just a crotch seam. i cut fabric off of the bottom of each leg and re-hemmed the pants by hand, but I still have the waist problem to solve and am confused where to go with it because a lot of these tutorials (although lovely, especially yours with the matching fabric) dont give an alternative for situations like mine. I am unsure if I should just cut into the sides and insert fabric anyways or if i should try another solution. any ideas?

nice work

Thank you for sharing this tutorial! Now I can keep all my jeans that no longer fit me!!!

Thank you so much for making this video tutorial. You have NO IDEA how I've been looking and searching all over tarnation for something that works. Simple and easy to follow. Something that is easy on the eyes and brain lol Before this, all I came across were those videos that go so quickly without narration to explain anything. Ya know, the ones where you can see either actual edit jumps, or the videos that are made to purposely look like they had a ton of edits in them, and go by so quickly that its really hard to follow. Again, no narrative to go by if you want to work along. It was is frustrating! Not to mention the vids that feel like half of a day long before getting down to the point of the project. Because I have had these 2 pairs of Jeans, that are my size and I absolutely love! Thrifted them awhile back too! Only the waistline is just so darn tight and unbearably uncomfortable! It makes no sense, thats how uncomfortable they are! And I had some ideas I was doubting myself on already. So I had to find something else as a just in case, or for a better way of taking the waists out. Maybe something to go along with my idea(s), or to replace them altogether. Didn't matter as long as I could get it done. And then a choir began to sing, along with a light that shined as I opened your video and watched. My search is over! So clear and concise your instruction is! Clearly viewable and audible! No fast flashy pops of editing cuts or whatever they wanna call it. No guessing. I can understand fast forwarding past a particular part to save time. But not loke what ive seen and have come across. Unbearable if ya know what Im meaning, lol. Thank you a million times over!

I loved this video. I don't think my machine can sew all those heavy fabric areas. Do you have a special machine? Maybe special needle? How about thread. I would love to be able to try this. Thank you.

Really helpful video, so often I've rejected jeans that fit beautifully elsewhere, because after 4 children the waists are just too tight! Once a belt is inserted the patch at the back will be invisible. Now hoping to find your video about taking in the legs...

This……………is………………incredible. I am not a sewing person but was looking for some solutions to get a pair of Poshmark jeans into totally wearable shape, and now it really feels possible. Thank you!! Off to find somebody in Chicago who can make this happen…

Thanks for the tutorial-if you need to remove rivets, a “nipping pliers” from the hardware store works nicely. The jaws are sharpened into blades and these are waggled underneath the rivets: then it is easy to press the jaws closed to cut the rivet.

Love this method. I've enlarged a waist by just opening up the side seams.. but never thought of opening up the back also and adding some fabric there! I almost always have to either buy jeans that fit well in the hips and thighs, but too tight in the waist.. or just fit the waist and then have to take them in on the hips and legs. I think it's easier doing the hips and legs!

Great professional result. Thank you for sharing and fab filming and voice-over!