Skill Builders: Letting Out Suit Trousers - adding width at the waist on tailored trousers

In this video I show you how I gain extra inches at the waist point on tailored trousers. It's a fairly straightforward alteration to make, but it'll seem daunting at first. It is important to not that not all trousers can be altered in this way, you will need to look for how much seam allowance is present on the centre back seam in the trousers, plus if the waistband isn't already 'split' at the centre back point then you will struggle to make this alteration (as you'll need to add in a piece of fabric to bridge the gap between the original waistband and the extra width you've made available - watch the video and it'll make sense!)
I hope it is useful to you.
Happy stitching!
Claire x

[@aileenabercromby1043]

Once again Claire many thanks, really useful to know how to do this x

[@ClaireEngland1]

Hi Aileen, I'm so pleased you found it useful. I think being able to alter our own clothes is a good skill to have. Have a great day and happy stitching x

[@aileenabercromby1043]

I'm a size 12 hip and a 14 waist so definately going to give this a go, always a nightmare trying to find something to fit x

[@ClaireEngland1]

​ @Aileen Abercromby what you might find better in that case (especially as women's trousers rarely have the extra seam allowance and split rear waistband), is to buy the straight size 14 and then take the trousers in on the side hip and rear centre seam where they are too big. You might be able to pinch out the excess in the changing room to make sure that the fit will be how you want it to be. When home, try the trousers on inside out and pin out the excess, then you can tack the seams and try on the right way round, before finally stitching. Maybe try with a less expensive pair first to see if this works for you. Just a thought! 🥰