#needleworkmonday :: Pants length alteration

Happy #NeedleWorkMonday everyone!

Just before my sewing machine went into a coma, I was happy that I managed to get this work done - altering the length of one of my favourite pair of pants. It was a quick and easy project but I have been putting it off for a year or so - one of those mood related projects - no mood, no sew.

The pants was at knee length and I wanted to make it up to the ankle, to be worn for more formal occasions. The knee length was a bit outdoor-sy which I liked but I can't really wear it anytime.

This pants is one of my favourites because I loved how it fits on my waist, hip and thighs - important criterias of a good pair of pants. And what do we do when we like a good fitting pants? We buy multiples of it because it is not easy to find a good fitting pants! Which is why, I have another one in black, and for that pair, I will keep it at knee length :P.



First, I measured the length of fabric needed to be added to the pants - about 10 inches with seam allowance:


I was having a "swell" time (more like dilemma) trying to choose the fabric - do I want to go bold and funky or plain and boring? But the main question was, would I wear the pants again or how often would I wear the pants again with the chosen fabric? This part took quite some time and a lot of thinking. I had to imagine every option and what would it feel like wearing them. Not easy! This part was tougher than the actual sewing. Decisions, decisions, decisions.


I went with plain and boring - the closest colour possible to match the pants - because at least I will be happy to wear it anytime, anywhere which was the main reason for this alteration :D


I measured and cut out 2 pieces of fabric for each side of the pants...


... aligned it to the pants to ensure fit:


Then, I brought it to the machine and joined the edges of each piece of fabric first to create the "tube" that will be attached to the pants:


Once the edges were nicely sewn together...


I took them to the ironing board and pressed the seams flat:


I did the same for both pieces:


I aligned it back to the pants to ensure that they still fits after the ironing - extras are better than less - this part can make your heart drop if suddenly the fabric pieces are shorter than the width required:


My pants had a slit for the knee...


...which I chose to sew them close. I like this slit a lot but for this case, they have to be sacrificed.


Then, I pinned the fabric to the pants. I pinned in such a way that after I sew them together, I would be able to fold the fabric to the bottom to hide the raw edges:


I sewed following the original seam of the pants:


And flipped the fabric over:


The raw edges of the fabric has been hidden in between the pants and fabric piece:


Last but not least, I hemmed the other end of the fabric that had been sewn to the pants (which has now become part of the pants) and left a little hole, in case I wanted to add an elastic for the ankle:


My pants now at a longer length. Simple kedimple :)

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Here's wishing everyone a good week ahead and
Happy #NeedleWorkMonday! Take care everyone!

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