Tighten jeans - how it works

Tightening a pair of jeans can be relevant if you have lost weight, for example, or if a pair of gifts is too wide for you. A suitable pair of jeans is important for good style and can also be reached quickly with simple means.

Tighten the jeans with the sewing machine

A classic option is to sew the jeans closer. The best thing you need for this is a sewing machine. This makes your work easier, because sewing the denim by hand is a bit tricky. Jeans are usually made of a rather bulky material that is not easy to work with.

• First of all, ensure a smooth surface on which you can spread the pants. Tables with a smooth surface without a tablecloth are practical. It is best to have the sewing machine ready right away.
• You don't have to tear them open to sew the jeans closer. It also works without opening the previous seams.
• The right measure is important. Measure the circumference of your legs with a tailor's measuring tape and add approx. 2 cm. The jeans should be tight at the end - but not too tight.
• Turn the jeans inside out - transfer them to the fabric with tailor's chalk or a pencil.
• Then pin the fabric with pins so that nothing can slip. Now the fabric is ready to be sewn. Clamp it in the sewing machine and sew the leg parts of the jeans closer according to the dimensions that have been staked out. To do this, select the blind or cross stitch.

Tighten denim with warm water

If you do not want to make any sewing changes, you can narrow the pants with warm water. However, several "courses" might be necessary here.

• Put the jeans in the washing machine at 60 degrees. Wash them by yourself in the machine without any additional clothing. A one-hour program is enough.
• Now dry the jeans on a line. The next day, try on the pants, they should be a lot tighter now.
• If it is not yet tight enough, repeat this procedure and then dry the jeans in a dryer. The hot air from the dryer also helps the jeans fibers contract and the pants become narrower.

Only tighten jeans temporarily

If you would like to put on a good friend's jeans and they are too wide for you, you can briefly tighten a pair of jeans at the waist. This is ideal if you might just want to wear the pants one evening.

• To do this, take a large safety pin and narrow the waistband of the jeans in the back. If the pants do not fit the way you want them, repeat this process until the pants have the optimal fit.
• Several safety pins can also be used. Make sure that they are attached at a point that does not interfere with wearing.