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What do Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, and Madonna have in common? They have all worn their jeans tight at one time or another!

Making your jeans tighter might be for reasons of fashion, personal preference, because the pair you just purchased doesn't sit or fit right and you'd like to make them look and feel better, or you've lost weight. Over time, some jeans can also lose their original tightness, so you might like to try one of the methods following to giving them a bit of a "leg-lift".

Steps

Sewing method

1. 

   Turn them inside-out first
   Try on your jeans inside-out. Standing in front of a mirror, note the areas where you would like the jeans to fit more snugly.
   • Pinch the fabric together at the crotch and down the inseam. Secure it with sewing pins to inform your sewing direction for the tighter fit. Use plenty of pins.
   • Just remember that when you turn your jeans inside-out, your left leg inside-out is your right leg right-side-out.
   • Mark any other places where you think there is room for improvement using a sewing marker, or pins, if possible.
   • Take off the pants when you are satisfied. If the pins are a problem in removing the jeans, resort to the sewing marker to show you where to sew. Having a friend to help you get this part accurate can be a big help.
2. Set up the sewing machine. Turn it on, fill with denim-appropriate thread and a needle suited for denim-sewing, and clear your workspace.
   • If you haven't used a sewing machine before, sew a couple of lines in some practice fabric (preferably denim). You want to know how fast your machine goes and make sure things go smoothly when you get to your real project.
3. Start at the crotch. Press the reverse sewing lever for just a moment when you start to secure your stitch.
   • Keep the jeans as flat as possible and completely together.
   • Stitch in a smooth curve along the line of pins or markings that you added. In essence, you are creating a new seam.
4. Try to keep your line straight, and work your way down. Aim to make the excess denim bigger as you get towards the bottom if you are making the flare smaller.
5. When you get to the very bottom, press the reverse sewing lever for just a moment to secure your stitch.
6. Repeat on the other leg.
7. Try on the jeans. If they feel right, turn the pants inside out and cut off the excess denim to the thread. This is not difficult, but make sure you have sharp scissors.
   • If they appear lopsided, you have some unpicking and sewing ahead! No amount of wearing can improve the bad shaping caused by sewing inaccurately.
8. 

   A pair of jeans post-stitching
   Check the pants out for looks and comfort. You have jeans that actually fit now!
   • If you notice bunching around the crotch, don't worry too much, as this will settle down when worn and will not be noticeable for most jeans. Ask a friend to do an honest assessment while you're wearing them if you're really worried!

Non-sewing method

For those who are not keen to get out the sewing gear, there are some non-sewing methods that you can resort to using.

1. 
   Wash your jeans in hot water. For this method, make sure that your jeans are not preshrunk. If they are, there will be a barely noticeable difference at the end of all your efforts! In addition, this method will work better on jeans that are 100 percent cotton than blends of cotton with human-made fibers.^[1]
   • Place the jeans through a hot water wash. Do not use fabric softener or conditioner. Avoid sharing the wash with any other clothes. A front loader might have more impact than a top loader, as it is actually the tumbling action that shrinks the fibers.^[2]
   • Dry them in the hottest setting of the dryer. Make it as long a drying time as possible.
   • Try on the washed and dried jeans. They should have shrunk a little from the washing and drying processes. Be aware that this method doesn't last. With wear, the jeans will slip back to their original "comfy" shape.^[3] And with each wash and hot dry, the strength and appearance of your jeans diminishes as the fibers are damaged by the heat, so avoid over-using this method unless you're prepared to turn your jeans into a denim purse and buy a new pair!^[4]
   • Instead of washing in hot water, or in addition to, you might also try boiling your jeans. If so, be sure to have a pot that is clean and large enough, and keep the fabric well away from naked heat sources. Keep an eye on it at all times, adding more water if needed. Burned jeans are good for nothing! If you are boiling the jeans as well as washing, add them to the washing machine (hot wash) after boiling,^[5] or just place straight into the dryer.
   • Another approach is to soak jeans in very hot water (fill the laundry tub, dunk in and use a wooden spoon to push all of the jeans under). Then, wring dry once the water has cooled and toss into the dryer on its hottest setting as above.
2. Try adding a thick layer underneath the jeans. This method only works during winter or you'll end up in a sweat bath, and it's a method that won't necessarily work on all types of jeans. Wear thick tights or a pair of leggings underneath the jeans. Check how it appears in the mirror - if it makes enough of a difference, it might be enough of a fix for that pair of jeans.
   • A large drawback of this method is comfort and mobility. You will probably feel hot unless it's very cold, and it's likely that you'll find it harder to move your legs. It can feel constricting.
   • Leggings are preferable as the pressure of your feet in tights can pull on your waist as you move, and the waist can cause the feet end of the tights to pull up.
3. See the tailor to have the alterations done for you. While this is clearly not quite the same as knowing how to do it yourself, knowing when you're not up to the task can sometimes be just as important, especially when you've purchased an expensive and good quality pair of jeans. Take it to a tailor, ask the tailor to take your measurements and have your jeans taken in. The benefit of using a tailor is that their sewing experience will ensure that there is no bunching up or unprofessional finishes, and their industrial sewing machine will handle the job beautifully.
   • Consider having a tailor make you some skinny jeans from scratch. This way you can select your favorite denim and have the measurements "just so", ensuring that your skinny jeans fit perfectly!
   • The dry cleaner can sometimes help. Starching and stretching several times might help to reduce the waist size.^[6]

Waist only

If your jeans are fine in the legs but slack around the waist, try focusing only on the waistband.

1. Sew two darts in the back of the waistband to draw in the jeans. You'll need to be familiar with sewing darts in.
2. Alternatively, sew a button inside each side of the waistband and add an elastic piece with button holes inserted into it. The placement distance between the button and elastic will need to be enough to cause the jeans' waist to pull in when the elastic is stretched over the button on each side.
3. Try a hot wash, as above, but focus only on the waistband. Pour boiling water into a laundry tub, sink, or bucket.
   • Dunk the waistband into the hot water and leave to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
   • Remove from the hot water either by pulling up from the legs or using a utensil such as a wooden spoon or tongs. If you're worried about burning your hands, wear rubber gloves.
   • Wring the jeans' waist in a towel, then throw into the dryer. Use high heat and dry. The waist should shrink temporarily.

Shape protection

Keeping your new tight jeans in great shape is better than cure. Here are some quick ways for keeping your jeans tight:

1. Buy good quality jeans. Check the label for the manufacturer's instructions for keeping the shape, along with any estimations for the lifespan of the jeans or shape.
2. Try the jeans on before you buy. Don't assume that the same brand or even style will still fit you. Each batch differs and the only true test is placing on your body shape.
3. Avoid using the hot water washing method unless your jeans are already out of shape. A gentle, slower, cooler wash is ideal for keeping jeans in shape.

Video

Tips

• A great way to make your new seam look worn (for a less "I-sewed-my-own-jeans" look): Using a paintbrush or a sponge, lightly bleach the area around the new seam - use a very diluted bleach solution so that the difference between the bleached part and the rest of the denim is subtle.
• Remember, you can always sew them tighter and cut off more denim, but you can't put it back.
• When washing jeans, try to wash them inside out - it causes less wear on both the jeans and the machine from buttons, etc., catching on the machine surface.
• In the 1970s, it was common for people to squeeze into their jeans in the bathtub. This method isn't very effective and definitely leaves you feeling really uncomfortable.
• Buy them tight - the "guys only" method. This is a little trick that you'll probably not let on to any of your mates. Check out the girl's section of the jean's department. The jeans will tend to be tighter for the size that fits you. The disadvantage to this method is that if anyone realizes, you're in for some teasing.
• Buy skinny jeans, because they are already tight jeans.
• Check out Buy Comfortable Skinny Jeans for more tips on buying tight jeans to start with.
• Jeggings or treggings a super comfortable pants made to look like super tight jeans without the discomfort. You might like to check them out.^[7]

Warnings

• Sharp scissors can cut skin. Be careful!
• Sewing your finger is painful, watch what you are doing.
• For the sake or yourself or others, try not to go so tight that anything hangs out. You'll most likely be embarrassed if someone makes fun or you or tells you to pull your pants up.
• Wearing jeans too tightly can cause health problems, such as cutting off circulation, cutting into your thigh nerves, and causing tingling (tingling thigh syndrome or meralgia paresthetica), numbness and pain.^[8] Avoid wearing jeans so tight that you're in pain.
• If the label says don't tumble dry, then do it at your own risk!

Things You'll Need

• Loose jeans
• Sewing machine
• Sharp scissors
• Sewing pins, safety pins, or a sewing marker
• Washing machine, or tub/bucket/container
• Tailor

Related wikiHows

• How to Bleach Jeans
• How to Rip Your Own Jeans
• How to Do Something New With Your Jeans
• How to Make Distressed Jeans
• How to Cut Jeans to Make Wider Leg

Sources and Citations

• Read on wikiHow
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• Edit
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John Miles - Slow Down - 1976