How to Upsize Pants Quickly & Easily By Using Side Panels
Sooner or later we all have a pair of pants that have gotten too tight. But with this DIY technique for making pants bigger with side panels, you’ll still be able to wear them.
This is a very simple upsize refashion tutorial, and you should be able to make your side panels from leftover fabric from other projects. That way your upsize refashion won’t cost you a penny!
Tools and materials:
- Too-tight pants
- Scrap fabric
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Thread
- Sewing pins and sewing needle
- Sewing machine
1. Size your side panels
One way to work out how big your side panels will need to be is to place your too-tight pants on top of a pair of pants of similar shape that fit you well.
Then just measure the difference in width, double it (for front and back) and add a seam allowance. That will be the width you need for each side panel.
You could also take the full measure of your too-tight pants and your well-fitting pants and calculate the difference from that, but I think the first way is easier!
2. Remove side seams from pants
Turn your pants inside out and cut out the thick inside side seams from both legs. Cut from the bottom of your pants to the waistband, so you have two pieces.
3. Add your side panels
I doubled my side panel fabric and sewed them into tubes for my side panels, to prevent fraying and make the side panels sturdier.
With right sides facing, pin your side panels to each side of one piece of your cut pants. Sew the side panels in place.
Pin and sew the other side of the side panels to the other piece of your cut pants.
4. Bonus! Upcycle the cut-off side seams
Check out the wrap bracelets I made from the side seams I cut out of my pants. Just trim off excess threads and sew the ends together.
How to upsize pants
Now my pants fit and look great! Try it out for yourself and get the same fantastic results. Then leave a comment to let me know how you liked this DIY tutorial to make your pants bigger with side panels.
Enjoyed the project?
Suggested materials:
- Too-tight pants
- Scrap fabric
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Thread
- Sewing pins and sewing needle
- Sewing machine
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Comments
Join the conversation
I've done this with both pants and tops. Each time I was pleased with results.
I would have liked to see how you finish the top of the pants. What do you do to reinforce the top of the pants if it has an elastic waistband or flat finished waistband? Thanks