Pants – sewing instructions for higher back piece (NORMAL)

Cut out pattern pieces in the fabric you have chosen for your adaptation (fig.1). Note that you have to place the centre pattern piece on the fold of the fabric. This should not be done with the side pattern piece. No seam allowance is required now as this is included in the pattern pieces.  As you can see in the right illustration below (fig.2) you will have three fabric pieces cut out with the centre piece dubbel the size of its pattern piece.

Place pattern pieces on chosen fabric with centre pattern piece on fold.Cut out fabric pieces with centre piece double the size of pattern piece.

Pin the pieces and sew together as shown in illustration below (fig.3).  The side pieces will be attached to the centre piece with right the side of the fabric facing each other.  Overlock or zig-zag the seams. Fold out the piece  and press the seams flat facing outwards. Finally overlock or zig-zag the raw edges around the piece like in the illustration to the right below.

Pin and sew together fabric pieces. Overlock or zig-zag seams, press flat and overlock or zig-zag raw edges.

Fold all the edges of the adaptation piece under 1cm and press well (fig. 4 ). Below you can see  how the adaptation piece looks from inside and outside.

Sides 1 cm folded under viewed from inside and outside.

The edges in the cut out section of the pants have to be closed. You do this by zig-zagging the raw edges in the cut out as seen below (fig. 5).

Zig-zag the raw edges in the cut out section of the pants.

Cut small notches in the corners of the pants. This allows for more movement or the original garment when inserting the new piece. (fig. 6).

Make small cuts in the sides of the cut out section for more movement.

Begin to pin the new adapted piece to the pants. Start at the bottom part of the adaptation and work you way out to the sides.  Continue up to the centre along the top part of the adaptation. Make sure the adaptation piece will fit in evenly by alternating putting in one pin to the right and then one to the left (equal distance). You will probably have to pin and re-pin the adaptation piece a couple of times during the process of shortening the waistband (se below).

Pinning together the pants with the adaptation piece is done with right side of fabric facing you. You have already folded the edges of the adaptation piece and are covering the edges in the cut our section with this. The only parts of the adaptation piece you will have to fold under is the sides as these might be a little long for the cut out section (fig. 7 and 8).

Note that the waistband will be slightly long with access length in middle of back. Continue reading for instructions on how to shorten this.

Pin bottom and top part of adaptation piece to pants cut out section right side of fabric facing you.Fold side ends of adaptation piece under to fit cut our section.

The NORMAL waist adaptation will shorten the waistband of the pants slightly as it alters the angle of this. You will therefore need to shorten the waistband (fig. 9) by overlapping it. Divide the waistband at middle of back or un-picking and re-sewing it if there is already a seam.

Pants with one piece waistband to the left with two piece waistband to the right.

One piece waistband (fig. 10).

Pants with one piece waistband.

Cut through the centre of the waistband.Layer the pieces over one-another and pin, continue pinning the adaptation section to the pants, you may need to readjust the over lapping once you get to that part. (fig. 11).

Shorten waistband by dividing it at middle of the back.

Once you know exactly how much shortened the waistband needs to be to fit the adaptation piece unpin some of the upper section of the adaptation piece. Leave the waistband pinned together so that you can sew it in a machine (fig. 12).

Unpin middle part of waistband.

Use zig-zag stitch over both the raw edges to join the piece together and seal the ends (fig. 13).

Zig-zag over the raw edges to seal this and sew together waistband. Zig-zag over the raw edges to seal this and sew together waistband.

Pin the adaptation piece to the jeans making extra sure it is even and fits in the cut out sector (fig. 14). Hand sew adaptation piece to pants (fig. 15).

Pin adaptation piece to cut out sector with final adjustments.Hand sew the adaptation piece in place.

Top stitch if desired to add extra strength. (fig. 16).

Top stich around adaptation piece for extra strength.

Waistband with seam (fig 17).

Two piece waistband.

Unpin some of the upper section of the adaptation piece. Unpick the centre seam of the waistband (fig. 18 and19).

Unpin some of the upper section of the adaptation piece. Unpick the centre seam of the waistband.

Two piece waistband ready for shortening.Unfold the excess fabric and cut it off (fig. 20).

Unfold the excess fabric and cut it off.

Then carefully refold the edges back in so that it is shorter and the edges are neat. Be careful to line it up and make it the  right size for the adaptation piece. (fig. 21).

Carefully refold the edges back in so that it is shorter and the edges are neat.

Hand sew the waistband edges together, on both the outside and inside. Repin the adaption piece in place (fig. 22).

Hand sew the waistband edges together, on both the outside and inside. Repin the adaption piece in place.

Hand sew adaptation piece to pants. Top stitch if desired to add extra strength. (fig. 23 and 24).Hand sew the adaptation piece in place.

Top stich around adaptation piece for extra strength.

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