How to lengthen children's trousers if the child has grown up

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Published: 07/10/2020

Reading time: 4 min

1 Knitted border
2 Ideas for lengthening women's trousers
3 How to lengthen pants
4 How to lengthen classic trousers (men's, women's) when there is no stock
5 cuffs
6 With lapels
7 With braid
8 Lengthening trousers at home

Knitted border

Another interesting way to lengthen your pants is to sew a knitted border or lace onto them. Needlewomen can knit such a border themselves or buy it in a specialized store. Fortunately, there is quite a large selection of different materials.

According to your taste, you can sew the border so that it extends the length of the product, and also so that it extends slightly onto the main trouser fabric. This solution will be very original, and the trousers will become more feminine.

In order to sew such a border to the trousers, you need to measure the required amount of material along the width of the trouser leg with an allowance for the side seams. Sew the knitted border along the bottom line of the trousers. Then baste and stitch the side seams on a sewing machine, and then smooth them out with an iron.

It is enough to simply lengthen any trousers using one of the listed methods. The main thing is to choose a method that suits the situation, the style of the trousers and have patience.

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Lengthening sports pants

The choice of a method to lengthen jeans depends on the condition of the product. The choice of a method to lengthen jeans depends on the condition of the product, purpose, age, gender of the owner, taste and preferences.
The technology for doing the work is different, but if you have certain skills it can easily be done at home.

Soaking

The method is used when you need to return to the previous length after shrinkage.

A soap solution helps to draw out the material:

Jeans are soaked in a spacious container in warm water with soap or baby shampoo for about 30 minutes.
Let it drain without squeezing.
The remaining water is squeezed out by rolling up a roller with a dry terry towel.
Place wet jeans on a dry sheet or towel.
Using movements from the waist down, the legs are pulled out alternately.
For final drying, the trousers are hung in a vertical position.

With finishing

Before deciding how to lengthen women's jeans with trim, you need to decide where and when they will be worn. For models with discreet decor, finishing made from materials of a similar color is more suitable.

You can lengthen children's jeans for girls with lace, decorative braid, and fringe.

In this case, the hem and side seam are not ripped out, but the trim is sewn to the wrong side with the top edge using a zig-zag stitch or by hand. This method is not suitable for rough finishes.

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The lower part of the jeans is most often decorated with a hem seam, which, by unrolling, can give you an additional length of 3 to 4 cm:

The finishing seam is carefully steamed using scissors or a blade, and the remaining threads are removed.
Fold lines are smoothed using a damp cloth or a steaming iron.
Two strips of denim fabric equal to the width of the trouser legs are cut out with a seam allowance.
The parts are placed right sides together and sewn along the bottom of the product.
The sewn stripes are the new hem. It is ironed, decorated with a new finishing stitch of the desired color, or basted by hand from the wrong side.

Adding fabric to the cuffs
Fabrics of similar color and texture or, conversely, contrasting inserts are used to increase the length at the bottom of the trousers, creating cuffs or lapels:

Measure the width of the cuff along the bottom edge of the trouser leg, place it on the selected fabric, and add 2.5 cm for stitching.
Measure the desired cuff height with seam allowance and cut out two rectangles.
The side seam of the cuff is sewn and processed.
Rip out the bottom seam of the trouser leg and carefully smooth out the fold lines.
The top of the cuff and the bottom of the product are connected with pins or a basting seam, after fitting they are sewn on, reinforcing the cuffs with non-woven fabric.
The details are ironed and a lapel is made.

If you have a double-sided belt, it is quite justified to turn its entire height to the front side and thereby lengthen the trousers.

The reverse part is decorated with fabric of the same size, which has a thin and soft structure. If the belt is not double and you cannot increase the length with it, you can make an insert between the top of the trousers and the belt.

To do this, carefully rip off the belt, sew the insert to the edge of the product, carefully iron it and sew the belt into place.

If the height of the belt is not enough to lengthen, cut out a new belt from denim fabric of the required size. Its sections are processed, an inflection line is marked, and sewn to the product.

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They use both old harnesses and new elements, loops, buttons. This way you can lengthen low-rise pants.

Classic products require the use of more restrained lengthening techniques.

It is necessary to make maximum use of the depth of the bottom hem without using other material, the height of the lapel:

The bottom seam is ripped out, carefully ironed and a new fold is made to a shallower depth. In this way you can lengthen the product by 1-2 cm.
If the depth of the bottom hem is insignificant, a trouser tape that is sewn to the bottom edge of the trouser leg will help to add 1-2 cm. It will act as a hem.
Trousers with a lapel can be lengthened by reducing the height of the lapel, or removed by moving the fold line to the desired size.
If you have leftover fabric from sewing the same product, you can lengthen the trousers by adding a simple or double lapel, which will hide the seaming line of the parts.

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These methods are used for both male and female models. You can also lengthen women's trousers at home using decorative elements: lace, braid, thin fabrics to match the product.

For the production of sportswear, elastic, knitted fabrics are usually used, so the best material for lengthening them is knitted elastic.

A cuff is cut out of it, which is sewn to the lower edge of the trouser leg. The cuff will be double, so its height is multiplied by 2 and a seaming allowance of 1.6 cm is added.

Sequencing:

The cuffs are sewn down along the side seams, turned seam inside out and folded in half.
Combine the inner seams of the trouser leg and cuff, baste the seam, stretching the elastic evenly.
Once everything has gone well, the part is sewn on with an overlock or zig-zag stitch, loosening the top thread.

Various finishing inserts made of contrasting, transparent or color-matching materials will help you lengthen your sweatpants.

The best option is if the fabrics match in stretchability, so that the stitching area looks neat. The inserts are placed under the knee, at knee level or at the bottom of the trouser leg.

Restoring your favorite trousers will take a little time, the main thing is to arm yourself with knowledge. You can lengthen your jeans with your own hands like this:

Pull up the bottom of your trousers.
Make inserts in the middle of the trouser legs along their entire circumference.
Lengthen the product by stretching.

The first two methods are the most profitable and attractive, but they require some skills and abilities.

The last method can be tried by absolutely everyone and in any conditions. But keep in mind that if the fabric is made of elastane, the elastic thread may burst and blisters will form on the trousers in places where the thread is stretched or damaged.

This option is difficult, but very interesting and unusual. You can cut trousers in different ways:

straight cut;
oblique cut.

Consider a straight cut. We cut off the trousers exactly in the center of the knees, measuring in advance and drawing a straight line on the leg. We make the insert from identical fabric or similar in color and thread weave. Cut out a strip of the desired height and length and sew it on.

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To style it, the insert can be cut into several pieces and re-sewn. Or, without cutting, make folds that are stitched with a double seam, imitating a cut.

You can lengthen your jeans using unusual details - lacing or chains. Cut the trousers in the middle, higher or closer to the bottom. The cut edges can be hemmed, overlocked, or fluffed up as a fringe.

Then insert eyelets (small diameter metal rings) onto both parts of the trouser leg in parallel(!), at an equal distance from each other.

You can thread a cord through the eyelets, connecting both halves, without tightening it too much. You can also attach metal or plastic chains of the same length to the eyelets using rings.

Having cut the trouser legs diagonally, we very carefully cut out the fabric for insertion. It also needs to be cut obliquely so that the grain goes from bottom to top or vice versa. A lace insert will look very original.

The trouser sections can be processed or left as is. Place the lace insert on top and sweep it by hand, check for movement, and measure. Then stitch.

It is better to add men's jeans using denim or regular fabric. Choose plaid, striped or plain fabric. It is better to put regular fabric on the bottom.

If you want to make your jeans more interesting, but not provocative, then make a denim insert in the middle of the trousers or just below the pockets.

An insert with many finishing lines, vertical, horizontal, and located diagonally, will look beautiful and quite stern, masculine. You can add more details in the form of a strap, pocket or valve.

An extension made of leather (smooth or suede) in a dark color will look impressive.

To increase the length of women's jeans, all the options proposed above are appropriate. Tenderness and femininity will be emphasized by decorative details, bright fabrics, lace or sewing. Translucent lace sewn above the knees will look sexy.

Lacing with chains and eyelets for eccentric, daring and extraordinary people.

Fabric inserts with roses, polka dots or geometric shapes will help jeans take on a more playful, bright and attractive look.

Ideas for lengthening women's trousers

You can also lengthen women's pants quite easily. Because by using your imagination you can not only decorate your jeans, but also give them a unique style and personality. Nowadays, interesting solutions with lace or play of colors and textures of materials are very popular in fashion.

You can lengthen them using allowances, cuffs, lace or other textured fabrics that will brightly complement the look. However, it should be borne in mind that it is better not to use too bright elements if you plan to wear trousers to the office and to work. These options are better suited for everyday casual style.

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How to lengthen pants

In order to lengthen them, you should acquire patience and the necessary materials. Also, it is quite important to have at least basic skills and understanding of the work so that the final product looks beautiful and neat.

The standard lengthening measurement is from the waist down the leg to the hem of the trousers. It is also important to consider that the correct length must be selected for the shoes with which the trousers will be worn in the future.

Important! You should consider standard trouser length standards before starting work.

Pants length standards:

European men's trouser models should be 1–2 centimeters shorter than classic ones.
The optimal length of women's trousers is to the middle of the heel of the shoe.
Classic ones should be worn so that when standing straight, there is one fold on the toe. Then the toe of the shoe will not be visible when moving.
Children's products should be comfortable for the child. However, the optimal length is ankle length.

In general, lengthening the length now will not be particularly difficult, since many manufacturers leave a sufficient amount of material during the processing of seams.

What materials to use

In order for overalls or pants to look beautiful after alteration, you need to responsibly choose the material used to lengthen the product. In this case, several rules should be followed:

the material of the product and insert must have the same texture and composition. The ideal option would be to use a similar fabric, but if this is not possible, then try to choose a material with the same thickness and density. In this case, you can use textured fabric, for example, corduroy or eco-leather;
The color of the insert can be any, but it must match the color of the overalls.

If the product has bright decor, then you should not additionally decorate the pant legs. But if it is appropriate, you can use sequins or ready-made embroidery.

Notes from the Old Rat: a collection of tips and tricks

Our kids grow very quickly, and almost every year we have to update their wardrobe, even if you don’t really follow fashion. Besides, the trousers and jackets on fidgets are on fire! But it often happens that clothes are well preserved, but have become a little small. It can be lengthened, and then the child will wear his loved ones for another season.

You can lengthen a children's overalls if you sew cuffs made of fabric similar in structure, but of a contrasting color, to its sleeves and legs. To make this alteration look natural, we will make an applique on the chest from this material. Jumpsuits, jackets and pants can be lengthened with knitted cuffs. They can be made from leftover wool if you knit a hat, scarf and mittens for your child from the same yarn.

There is another option for making such lengthening cuffs - the most economical. Carefully cut off the parts that cover the legs at the ankles from old woolen socks with frayed heels, and use them to lengthen the sleeves of a jacket, sweater or trouser legs and overalls.

The easiest way to lengthen a skirt is by sewing ruffles, frills or flounces, sewn in several tiers.

Often, prudent mothers buy clothes for their children to grow into; the trousers are folded at the bottom and hemmed with a full-length seam. When the baby grows up, the hem is unraveled. To make the fold line invisible, it needs to be smoothed out.

To do this, dilute half a glass of vinegar with the same amount of water, soak gauze in this solution and iron the trousers through it at the hems. The fabric will become completely smooth. If the trousers have already become worn or shiny at the fold line of the fabric, then you can hide the abrasions and small holes under the braid sewn in a circle and trim the edges of the pockets with the same border.

For thrifty mothers, there is second-hand children's clothing. An online children's clothing store from well-known brands will help you dress your child fashionably at minimal cost.

cuffs

An interesting way to lengthen it is to sew the cuffs to the bottom of the legs. In this option, it is not necessary to use a material with a similar texture (for example, denim) and you can take a fabric of a different color. Pants with wide cuffs will look quite elegant, and you can complement them with a fake button fastening along the side seam.

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Let's take a closer look at the stages of creating cuffs to lengthen trousers:

Select the material and cut out two rectangles of future cuffs from it, the width of which corresponds to the width of the trouser leg, and the length required with seam allowances.
Sew the pieces of fabric on a sewing machine and iron the seams.
Sew the side seams and finish the hems at the bottom.

To ensure that no one guesses about lengthening your trousers yourself, you can treat the pockets on your trousers with the same material. This decision will be very interesting, and jeans will continue to be in fashion.

If children's pants become short - what to do?

A clipping from an old magazine will help us, where it very briefly, but succinctly, point by point, tells exactly how to make trousers or trousers for a child a little longer. And not only.

As you know, the weakest points in children's clothes are the elbows in sweaters and shirts, and the knees in pants. These places are the very first to be wiped, because children often fall straight onto their knees.

While simple patches can solve the problems of leaky fabric, they do not fulfill the task of lengthening trousers. What to do? Let's make an insert at knee level, as shown in the schematic picture of the second boy from the left. This option suits us.

Let us first list all the methods described here to lengthen children’s trousers that have become too short:

Insertion of an almost rectangular piece of fabric at knee level with partial replacement or addition of trouser material.
Lengthening the overall length of the pants by increasing the width of the trouser waistband.
Enlarging short pants by sewing additional fabric along the bottom of the product. This method is the most trivial, it is the first thing that comes to mind.
If you use a piece of waterproof material that is large enough in height along the bottom of the trouser legs, you will get additional protection from rain, moisture, and wet snow. After all, children love to run through puddles!
Convert trousers into overalls by adding straps. It is good to provide the straps with buttons or other fasteners that can be adjusted - if the child is older, slightly increase the size of the braces.

I don’t see any point in repeating the text from the picture; everyone can read it themselves and think about which option or several of the proposed ones would be more suitable in a particular case.

I have already talked about altering women's trousers in this article. This is my personal experience, it was a pity to throw away a completely good thing that for some reason I didn’t wear, and then I gained weight. This is not about how to lengthen, but about how to expand in volume. A fabric was found that was harmonious in color with the details - the belt, pocket trim and straps. Two identical strips were cut out for longitudinal inserts in the sides.

If the item has become small at the waist, the belt is so short that it does not fasten at the waist, but we do not want to increase the overall thickness of the product, then triangular additions will come to the rescue. This method, as you can see, is suitable even for leather trousers, and if there is no suitable piece of leather at home. Thick knitwear will fit nicely here. You will almost certainly have to add a small insert to lengthen the belt, and a leather belt loop can disguise it.

Children grow up very quickly. Before you have time to buy or sew trousers or overalls, after a short time they become too small. There are many ways to lengthen short children's pants

With lapels

An excellent option for increasing the length would be a lapel made of the same material. This addition will look very neat when finished. You need to cut out the details for the hem taking into account the height of the lapel - from 3 centimeters.

The process of performing an extension with a lapel:

Open the legs and about 2 centimeters of the side seam.
Sew the cuff pieces to the bottom edge of the trousers.
Iron the seams.
Sew the side seams of the trousers.
Treat the cuffs on the wrong side with adhesive tape and secure along the seams (if the product is made of stretch fabric, then there is no need to glue the tape).

Important! After each hemming process, you need to iron the trouser legs. This way you can be guaranteed to get high-quality lapels that will look neat in the finished version of the trousers.

With braid

The braid should be selected in such a way that it matches the color. To begin work, be sure to open the seams of the fabric hem and remove the threads. Then be sure to steam and smooth the fold seams well.

Important! It should be remembered that the width of the trouser leg in the front and back will be different.

In order to cut out the fabric on the part, you need to separately measure the width of both parts of the leg and the required length of the material. Be sure to take into account that there should be at least 3 centimeters left on the inside hem, and also add seam allowances. Then sew the cut pieces together and carefully press the seams. After this, baste the extensions to the trouser leg and try it on to make sure it is of sufficient length.

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The next step is to sew the seam on a sewing machine and iron it through gauze. Then baste the trouser tape and stitch it, and then sew the hem for the trouser leg and iron it again.