How to Make Jeans Waist Bigger: 5 Easy Methods
Did you buy a pair of jeans that are too small, or maybe you shrunk them in the washing machine? Jeans can fit one day, but feel too snug the next. It is normal to experience fluctuations in weight from day to day. In fact, the average adult’s weight can change up to five or six pounds in a single day!
If your jeans are too tight in the waist, don’t toss them just yet. Here are a few hacks to stretch the waist on jeans for a looser and more comfortable fit.
Photo from Kaara's style. Check out her tutorial on Testing Out a Quick Hack for Jeans That Are Too Big. Follow her on YouTube: kaara's style.
How to naturally stretch jeans waist with heat
This quick method works for the denim waistband and thighs on jeans.
Tools and materials needed:
- Hair dryer
- Spray bottle
- Water
1. Lay the jeans out
Place jeans on a flat surface, with the front side facing up.
2. Wet the jeans
Fill the spray bottle with fresh water and spray the areas of the jeans you want to stretch. You want them to be damp, but not drenched.
3. Heat the jeans
Plug in the hair dryer. Holding it approximately 5 inches away from the jeans, move it continuously over the wet areas. Pull the fabric with your hands in both directions. Keep heating until the denim is dry.
4. Flip and repeat
Turn the jeans over and repeat the process in the areas you want to widen. Doing both sides will make them more roomy than doing a single side.
Note: You can also do this wet and heat method with a clothing steamer. Instead of laying jeans out flat, hang jeans on a hook or hanger before steaming and stretching.
How to naturally stretch jeans waist with a hanger
This method is easy and effective — as long as you find the right size hanger.
Tools and materials needed:
- Spray bottle
- Water
- Clothes hanger
1. Wet the jeans
Spray or soak the waistband of the jeans with warm water.
2. Hang the Jeans
Fasten buttons, zip the zipper, and tuck in any jean pockets before stretching them tightly over a sturdy clothes hanger.
The hanger should fit snugly enough to create a tight, straight line across the waist.
3. Let the jeans dry
Allow the jeans to dry completely before removing the hanger.
How to make jeans' waist bigger with an extender
A waist extender is another easy way to make your jeans more roomy in the waist. Waist extenders come in many shapes and materials with snaps and buttons to match your pants.
This multi-pack contains extenders in various denim washes to blend in with your jeans.
Slip the button of your jeans through the opening in the extender hook or patch. Then place the button on the extender through the hole in the waistband of your jeans.
You’ve just added 1-23 inches to your jeans! Remove the extender to take in the waist of your jeans again.
How to make jeans bigger at the waist with a waistband stretcher
Yes, there is such a thing as a waistband stretcher. This option will run you a few more dollars than the other methods described here. But with this, you can stretch your jeans up to three or more inches.
All you need to do is extend the center bar as far as required based on the length of your waistband and how much bigger you want it to be. For best results, leave the waistband extender in the jeans for 24 to 48 hours.
How to sew an extension patch to make jeans larger
Our last DIY requires machine or hand-sewing. It offers great results but they are not reversible.
So, if your weight tends to go up and down frequently, you might want a more temporary method.
Tools and materials needed:
- Sewing shears
- Sewing machine
- All-purpose thread
- Sewing pins
- Denim fabric (it should match your jeans)
1. Lay the jeans out
Place the jeans on a flat surface.
2. Determine how much you need to extend the waist by
For this project, you need to know how much additional fabric you’ll need to extend the waist of the jeans.
Subtract your waist measurement from the length of the waistband on the jeans and divide that number in half. That is how much fabric you will add to each side of the jeans.
3. Cut the jeans
Cut a V-shaped slit on both sides at the seams going down 2-3 inches.
4. Insert the patch
Place your extra fabric underneath the V-shaped opening on the left side of the jeans. Pin it securely in place.
5. Stitch the patch
Machine or hand-sew the patch in place.
6. Trim the extra fabric
Use fabric shears to trim the edges of the extension patch.
7. Repeat on the other side
Follow the same steps to sew the extension patch on the right side of the jeans.
Making jeans’ waistline bigger: Do I need a tailor?
While these tips for making your jeans looser are effective, you might consider taking your jeans to a professional tailor if you really want them to fit like a glove, especially if you’ve splurged on designer denim.
Some DIY methods can cause waist gapping, while a tailor can seamlessly alter the waistline for a custom fit.
Just be sure to ask your tailor if they have experience working specifically with denim because it requires special equipment and techniques.
On average, you can expect to spend between $25 and $50 to have your jeans professionally tailored.
How to make jeans waist bigger
What is your go-to method for stretching your jeans? Share your tips below! Which tip of mine was your favorite?
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Tall girls,take your jeans damp out of the dryer and pull from both ends. If you don't have a friend, or husband you can stand on the cuffs and pull.