How to Taper Pants: An Easy Tutorial

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DIY steps for taking in pant legs like a pro
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Tapered trousers are a stylish way to make an outfit look more polished and professional. However, sometimes our pant legs are a bit too loose for our liking. Luckily, with some sewing skills, it’s easy to taper your pants at home. In this article, we’ll teach you all the steps to properly taper trouser legs and avoid a trip to the tailor. Plus, get sewing advice from crafting expert Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz and tailor Andrea Beaulieu.

A Quick Guide to Tapering Pants

  1. Turn the pants inside out and draw a chalk line where you want your new seam.
  2. Use a seam ripper to remove the old seam.
  3. Draw a second line 0.5 inches from the first and cut along it to remove excess fabric.
  4. Sew a straight stitch down the chalk line, using a sewing machine.
  5. Repeat the process with the other leg.
Section 1 of 4:

Determining Where to Taper the Pant Legs

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    If you’re tapering your own pants but don’t know how much width you need to remove, turn them inside out and put them on. [1] This will show you where to mark the trousers so you can taper them properly. Turning the pants inside out exposes the old seam, which makes it easier to remove the stitches, cut the fabric, and sew the new seam.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Pinch along the inner seam of your pants to determine how tightly you want them to fit. Depending on the fit you want, you may need to remove a significant amount of fabric or just a little. You can also pinch the outer seam, as well, though most recommend working from the inner seam, as any mistakes will be less visible. [2]
    • For example, if you want the tapering to begin around your knee, 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
    Once you’ve found where you want to taper your pants, use pins to hold the trousers in place. Insert a sewing pin about every 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) where you want to taper the pants. Keep the pins vertical (parallel to the seam), as this will make it easier to create a seam line once you take the pants off. [3]
    • This is easier if you have someone to help you. If you don’t have pins, have a friend draw a line with chalk or a fabric pencil where you want to taper your pants. Keep your trousers pinched tightly as they do so so your line is accurate.
    • It’s easiest to do this on just one pant leg. You can mark the other one once you take the pants off.
    • When you insert the pins, try walking around and sitting down to make sure the new seam fits you comfortably.
  4. Take the pants off, being careful not to poke yourself with the pins, and lay them flat. Use a fabric pencil or a piece of fabric chalk to draw a vertical line where you inserted the pins. Once the seam has been marked, remove the pins. [4]
  5. Fold your pants so that the marked leg lies on top of the unmarked leg. Make sure both pant legs are perfectly aligned, then reinsert the pins through both legs. Flip the pants over and use your chalk or fabric pencil to draw another vertical line along the pins. This helps ensure your seams will be equal on both legs. [5]
    • It’s okay if you pin and mark both legs at the same time. In this case, use a ruler to make sure the distance from the edge of the pants to the chalk markings is the same. 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.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    If you have another pair of trousers that fit the way you want your untapered pair to fit, use them as a guide. Lay your untapered pants out flat, then place the tapered pants over them. Trace the outline of these pants onto the untapered pair. [6]
    • 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.
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Section 2 of 4:

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, then gently pull the fabric apart at the seams to loosen the stitches. Pull out the severed thread with your fingers. [7]
    • 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
    Once the old stitches have been removed, flatten out the fabric and line up the raw edges. Draw another chalk line about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) from the first line on the outer edge of the pants. This will show you how much excess fabric you’ll need to remove to create the new seam. [8]
    • 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. For the best results, use a pair of sharp fabric scissors . [9]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    After you have finished cutting the fabric, insert a pin every 3 inches (7.6 cm) along your chalk line to keep the fabric together while you sew. Place the pins perpendicular to the edge of the fabric to make them easier to remove as you sew. [10] Repeat the process for the second leg.
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Section 3 of 4:

Sewing the New Seam

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    While it’s possible to hand sew your pants, it’s much easier and less time-consuming to use a sewing machine. Thread your sewing machine with a durable thread that matches the color of your trousers. The seams of your pants need to be strong, especially if you’re making them slim or skinny, so your trousers don’t rip or tear. Try using a denim thread for a strong, durable option. [11]
    EXPERT TIP

    Andrea Beaulieu

    Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer
    Andrea Beaulieu is a Professional Tailor, Fashion Designer, and the Owner of MOORE, a Brooklyn, New York based storefront and apparel workshop for gender-neutral, contemporary streetwear as well as custom-tailored products. Andrea has over 20 years in the fashion design and marketing industries and specializes in pattern making, draping, and the construction of garments. She holds a BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
    Andrea Beaulieu
    Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer

    Your sewing machine user manual is your best friend. Read through it before starting and keep it handy to troubleshoot. Follow the guide for threading your machine, winding, and loading the bobbin exactly, as any tiny deviation will cause problems.

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    The straight stitch is an easy stitch that is ideal for sewing seams on pant legs. It 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. [12]
    • Crafting expert Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz says, “You will need to adjust the tension according to the fabric weight and how the fabrics are. Sometimes the tension, for example, is too tight or too loose, so you will need to practice a little bit with a piece of fabric.”
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    Starting from the top of your chalk line, sew down toward the bottom of your pants leg. For example, if your line extends up to the knee, start sewing at the knee. If it extends up the entirety of the leg, start at the crotch. [13]
    • Make sure to remove the pins as you go. Don’t sew over them or you may damage your sewing machine. [14]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    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. [15] 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.
    • To avoid mishaps, Beaulieu says, “Always backstitch before ending so it secures what you have just sewn, and trim your threads close to the fabric, not the needle. This will ensure you don’t have extra work to do later [and] keeps your machine set up for the next bit of stitching.”
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Taper Trouser Legs
    After you finish sewing the lines on the first pantleg, start sewing the other one. Repeat the same process so that both legs have the same amount of tapering. When you’re done, try the pants on to make sure they fit right and that they’re even on both sides.
    • If the pants don’t fit how you’d like, you may have to undo the seam you just made and try again.
    • When you’ve finished tapering your pants, Beaulieu says, “Make sure the seams have been trimmed back so the excess fabric is removed. Then, press the seam with an iron.”
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Section 4 of 4:

Tapering Trousers FAQs

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  1. 1
    Where should you start tapering pants? Where you start tapering your pants depends on where you want to take them in. For example, if you want to make the entire pant leg narrower, start at the top of the leg near the crotch. If you only want to narrow the bottom of the leg, you may want to start from the knee. [16]
    • When sewing, start from the top of the area you want to taper and work your way down to the bottom of the pant leg.
  2. 2
    How much should I taper my pants? How much you taper your pants depends on how tightly you want them to fit. However, if you taper them too much, it will distort the construction of the pants and they won’t fit properly. In general, if you’re tapering your pants yourself, do no more than 1 inch. If you want them taken in more than that, see a professional tailor. [17]
  3. 3
    How long does it take to taper pants? The amount of time it takes to taper your own pants depends on how comfortable you are with sewing and altering clothing. Sewing a new seam on a pair of pants usually takes 10-30 minutes, including prep time like pinning and measuring, but it may take a few hours if you’re not familiar with the process. It all depends on the person.
    • If you take your trousers to a tailor, most basic alterations, like tapering, can be completed within a day or two.
  4. 4
    When should you taper pants? Taper pants when they’re too wide for your liking or if they look baggy when you wear them. [18] Tapering pants creates a cleaner, sharper look. However, don’t taper your own pants if you’re not confident in your sewing skills. Instead, take your trousers to a professional tailor.
  5. 5
    How hard is it to taper pants? Tapering pants is a relatively easy alteration as long as you have basic sewing skills. The biggest challenges are making sure the taper is in the right place and that the seams match on both pant legs. Certain fabrics, like leather, may also be more challenging to work with than others. [19]
  6. 6
    Why do people wear tapered pants? People wear tapered pants to create a sleek, sharp silhouette. The tapered look creates a clean line that can visually lengthen the legs and slim the lower body. Tapered pants can also be dressed up or down, making them the perfect option for all kinds of occasions. [20]
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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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    Staff Answer
    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

      • Chalk
      • Pins
      • Scissors
      • Sewing machine
      • Thread

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      References

      1. ↑ https://letslearntosew.com/how-to-take-in-pant-legs-making-pants-slimmer-in-the-legs/
      2. ↑ https://letslearntosew.com/how-to-take-in-pant-legs-making-pants-slimmer-in-the-legs/
      3. ↑ https://www.susantailors.com/how-to-taper-pant-legs/
      4. ↑ https://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/14_101_hemming_jeans.pdf
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/GHNMWMiIHKI?t=339
      6. ↑ https://letslearntosew.com/how-to-take-in-pant-legs-making-pants-slimmer-in-the-legs/
      7. ↑ https://www.susantailors.com/how-to-taper-pant-legs/
      8. ↑ https://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/14_101_hemming_jeans.pdf
      9. ↑ https://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/14_101_hemming_jeans.pdf
      1. ↑ https://thecreativesewist.com/how-to-taper-pants-quickly-and-easily-like-a-pro/
      2. ↑ https://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/14_101_hemming_jeans.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/2_102_sewing_machine_basics.pdf
      4. ↑ https://thecreativesewist.com/how-to-taper-pants-quickly-and-easily-like-a-pro/
      5. ↑ https://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/6_130_pins.pdf
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/WmfbvS784CI?t=42
      7. ↑ https://thecreativesewist.com/how-to-taper-pants-quickly-and-easily-like-a-pro/
      8. ↑ https://tmtailor.com/blogs/news/how-to-taper-pants
      9. ↑ https://www.nancynixrice.com/do-your-pants-need-tapering-heres-the-test/
      10. ↑ https://sewfeet.com/what-are-the-most-difficult-materials-to-sew/
      11. ↑ https://scienceofstyle.com.au/blog/which-pants-are-most-flattering-to-you

      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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