How to stretch the elastic waistband of pants

If the waistband seems a little tight, you can quickly tweak it for a better fit. Fortunately, we can do this without using a sewing machine. You can stretch the back of the pants enough to fit comfortably, or remove the elastic completely.

Table of Contents

Warm up the elastic waist

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Turn on the iron and moisten a towel. You need to turn on the iron to the highest setting, Dip a washcloth or handkerchief just damp, not wet.

Prepare pants. You can pin each side of the pants to the iron and stretch to the desired length. Or you can simply slide the pants on the table to iron until they reach the proper width.

Spread a damp cloth over the back of your pants so that it completely covers the stretch of fabric you’re stretching. If necessary, use two towels.

It’s the elastic back. Turn the iron on to the hottest setting, then place a damp towel over the elastic waistband. Iron for 10 seconds, then leave the iron on the back of your pants for about 10 seconds. Continue doing it for 5-10 minutes. This will help the pants fit you well because the elastic will increase its elasticity as it heats up and can stretch more before it reaches its limit. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Repeat as needed. If the elastic isn’t stretched enough, try turning the back of the pants back on and repeat the process. Continue until the pants fit you. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Stretching elastic waist

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Find a chair. A chair that is large enough to stretch the back of your pants is a good fit. If you don’t have such a chair, you can try using a narrow side table, a drawer, or an empty picture frame.

Stretch your pants and cover them over the chair. If possible, adjust the side seam to coincide with the seat edge. This will stretch the fabric evenly.

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Leave it alone. Let the fabric stretch for 24 hours. If you still haven’t achieved the desired stretch, wrap the pants back in the frame and leave for a few more days in a warm place to allow the elastic to expand quickly. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Take out the elastic

Turn the inside of the pants out. That will be easier to do. Besides, you will limit cutting if you can see what you are doing with the scissors.

Find the seam inside. Sometimes, elastic bands are sewn into the pants. In this case, you will not be able to pull the elastic out without cutting the seam. To determine if the elastic is fixed or threaded, keep one side of the seam taut on the other. If you feel the elastic band, you can cut it anywhere. If the elastic feels like it is anchored to the seam, you need to cut the seam.

Make a small slit in the back of the pants. To remove the elastic, make an incision (about 1.2 cm). If the elastic is sewn in place, you need to cut the seam to the size of the elastic. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Cut the rope. Thread the scissors into the opening you cut and cut the elastic. Cut across the elastic without damaging the fabric. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Pull out the elastic. If you still want to tie your pants neatly, attach a shoelace or long ribbon to the end of the elastic with a pin, then pull the end of the elastic without the ribbon. This way, the new lanyard will be threaded into the back of the pants. If you don’t need a lanyard, just slowly pull the elastic out, but be careful not to grab the excess thread and cause the fabric to bunch up. Once the elastic has been removed/replaced, the pants will fit again.

Before putting on the pants, you can patch the previously cut slit, but this is not necessary because the slit is inside.

Advice

If you are not confident to stretch your pants at home, you can find a tailor or a clothing store.

Steps

Warm up the elastic waist

Stretching elastic waist

Take out the elastic

Advice

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