How to Taper Trouser Legs

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Tapered trousers are stylish and they can make an outfit look much more polished. However, trousers are often loose-fitting and hiring a professional tailor to fit them for you can be expensive. Tapering trousers yourself is an easy way to improve the fit of your pants and save some money in the process! You will just need to figure where to taper the pants, cut and pin the fabric, and then sew a new seam.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Determining Where to Taper the Pantlegs

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Put on the trousers if you want to taper them for yourself, or have the person you are tapering the pants for put them on. Make sure the pants are turned inside out. You will need to draw a line on them that will not be visible after sewing.
    • Turning the pants inside out also exposes the old seam and this will make it easier to remove the stitches, cut the fabric, and sew the new seam.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Pinch along the inside and outside of the pants to find where you want to taper them. Depending on the fit you want, you may need to remove a significant amount of fabric or just a little. Pinch the pants along the inner and outer seams to find the best fit.
    • For example, if you want the tapering to begin around your knee, then pinch the fabric on the inside and outside of your knee to find the best place to create a new seam.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    It will be difficult to draw on the pants while you are wearing them, so it is best to ask a friend for help with this part. Have them draw along the inside of where you are pinching the pantlegs.
    • You can try to mark the fabric yourself, but keep in mind that you will still need to pinch it while you mark it to get the best results.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    If you don't have anyone who can help you by drawing a line where you are pinching, you can also insert pins into the areas where you want to taper the pant legs. Insert a pin about every 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) where you want to taper the pants. Then, draw a chalk line along the inner edges of the pins after you remove the pants.
    • Make sure the pins are vertical (parallel to the seam). This will make it easier to create a seam line after removing the pants.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Another option for tapering trousers is to lay the pants out flat and then place a pair of tapered pants over them. Trace the outline of these pants onto your pants. [1]
    • Make sure to choose a pair of tapered trousers that fit you well. You will be replicating the fit of these pants on your trousers.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Hold the ruler up against the line and go over any crooked spots with the chalk. You can also use a ruler to help you check the distance from the edge of the pants to the lines. This will help to ensure that the right and left legs are the same size. [2]
    • For example, if the lines are 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) from the edges at the bottom of the trousers on 1 leg, they should be the same on the other leg.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Removing the Old Seam

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Keep the pants turned inside out and use a seam ripper to cut the stitches along the areas you want to taper. Run the hooked part of the seam ripper along the stitches to sever them and then gently pull apart the fabric at the seams to loosen the stitches. Pull out the severed thread with your fingers.
    • You don't have to remove all of the stitches if you are not tapering the whole leg. Just remove stitches where you want to take in the seam.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    After the old stitches are out, flatten out the fabric and line up the raw edges. Then, draw a second chalk line about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) from the first line.
    • If the fabric won't lay flat, you may need to iron it.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    The second line you drew onto the fabric will be the new raw edge for the parts of the pants you want to taper. Cut the fabric along this line.
    • Use a sharp pair of scissors and cut straight along the lines.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    After you have finished cutting the fabric, insert pins along the first line you drew on the fabric. This will be the new seam for your trousers. Insert a pin every 3 inches (7.6 cm) along the line to keep the fabric together while you sew.
    • Insert these pins perpendicular to the edge of the fabric. This will make it easier to remove them as you sew.
    • Repeat this for the other lines.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Sewing the New Seam

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Thread your sewing machine with a durable matching thread. Choose a strong thread for the seams on your trousers. These seams need to be strong, especially if you will be making the trousers slim or skinny. Choose a thread color that matches the color of your fabric as well, such as black thread for black pants.
    • Try using a denim thread for a strong, durable option.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    The straight stitch is ideal for sewing seams on pantlegs and it is an easy stitch to use. This stitch is usually the first setting on sewing machines, but check your instruction manual to be sure.
    • Make sure that your sewing machine is set to the recommended tension and stitch length for using the straight stitch.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Sew along the line on your fabric. Sew up from the bottom of the pantleg. If the line goes off the edge of your pants, then sew right off the edge. If the line goes all the way up the pantleg to the crotch, then sew all the way to the crotch. [3]
    • Make sure to remove the pins as you go. Don't sew over them or you may damage your sewing machine.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Backstitch when you reach the end of the line. To backstitch, hold down the lever on the side of your sewing machine and apply gentle pressure to the pedal. This will reverse the direction of the feed dogs (gears under the needle that move the fabric) so you can sew in the opposite direction. [4] Backstitch for about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm). Then, release the lever and sew to the end of the line again.
    • Backstitching will strengthen the ends of your stitches.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    After you finish sewing the lines on the first pantleg, switch over to sewing the other one. Repeat the same process so that both pantlegs will have the same amount of tapering.
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  • Question
    Can you take jeans in at the legs?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    Yes you can do this. It’s a lot easier to see step-by-step instructions with images to do this successfully, so we suggest you check out: How to Taper Jeans .
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    Can tailors taper pant legs?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, a tailor is well equipped to taper pant legs. Decide whether you want the tailor to choose the tapering style without your input or whether you want to pre-select the amount to be tapered yourself by pinning it before taking the trousers to the tailor (or just ask the tailor to pin it your way while you’re wearing the pants at the tailor’s). Most tailors will be happy to do it either way, but if you want to be sure that the taper is exactly as you want it, be sure to direct how it is pinned.
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  • Question
    Can I taper the inside seam only?
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    You should taper both seams, so that the pants do not look and feel weird.
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      Things You'll Need

      • A pair of trousers
      • Chalk
      • Pins
      • Scissors
      • A pair of tapered trousers (optional, to use as a guide)
      • Sewing machine
      • Thread

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DimRv4_ZCG8
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DimRv4_ZCG8
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DimRv4_ZCG8
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DimRv4_ZCG8

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To taper trouser legs, start by putting your trousers on inside out. Once they're on, pinch the seams until you're satisfied with the fit and then mark the line with some tailor's chalk. Next, take off your trousers and use a seam ripper to undo the stitching on the cuffs and seams. Pin your trouser's along the line you marked and stitch along the lines. Finally, cut off any excess fabric and re-hem your trousers so they're the same length on both sides. To learn how to remove pleats or creases from old seams and cuffs, read on!

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      • Norma E.

        Jun 1

        "I've tried narrowing the pants by myself (I've been sewing for 40 years), and they kept turning. Your ..." more
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