How to Add Extra Fabric to a Waistband to Make Pants Larger
If you have a pair of pants that fit everywhere except the waistband, there’s an easy alteration you can do to gain an extra inch or two without replacing the entire band. This method adds small “slice” insets at the back waistband—perfect for jeans, trousers, and even leggings. Note: This works best for small changes such as around two inches. Below is the exact process I used to expand the waistband evenly on both sides. There is a video tutorial as well! 1. Mark the Expansion Area Turn the pants so the back is facing up. Locate the center back seam (this is your midpoint). From that center point, measure out an equal distance on each side and mark it. I marked 4 inches to the left and 4 inches to the right. These marks show where the new fabric slices will be inserted. 2. Draft the “Slice” Pattern Piece Create a small wedge-shaped pattern piece for the extra fabric you'll add. My waistband was 2 inches tall , and I wanted to add...
