Forums > Sewing Advice & Techniques

Waistband longer than trousers

Created by Toto - 2 weeks ago
Community Member Toto

Hi !

I'm new on this forum, and I'm happy to discuss with fellow sewers!

I'm trying to sew elasticated waist trousers for the first time, and I have a problem with the length of the waistband, which is quite longer than the waist width of the trousers.

I've checked the pattern, the sizes of the waistband and the trousers are the same, but I've watched sew-alongs and the waistband seems to fit on the videos (but not on my trousers!). There is nothing specific to this problem in the instructions of the pattern.

I suspect I'm missing something important...😁 Has anyone meet the same problem ?

2 weeks ago
Admin SewHayleyJane

Which pattern are you sewing? 

Apologies if these are obvious questions but just to try and guage where we are at. How much extra is there? Is it a slightly curved waistband that might need easing in? 

2 weeks ago
Community Member Toto

Which pattern are you sewing? 

Apologies if these are obvious questions but just to try and guage where we are at. How much extra is there? Is it a slightly curved waistband that might need easing in? 

SewHayleyJane - 2 weeks ago

No problem, thank you so much for asking ! 😊 I'm sewing the Arden pants by Helen's closet. The extra fabric is essentially on the front part, the waistband is not curved, but maybe I should gather the pants fabric, or just cut the waistband. 

There is 5,5 cm excess on the half front waistband, I'm joining a photo.

upload-2554-1743614929-aOveWQdYE0.jpeg
2 weeks ago
Admin SewHayleyJane

Ah, that's super helpful! Where that slanted seam at the side of the trouser is - that's where you will sew a slash pocket. So the pocket piece will form the rest of the side seam of the trousers and should then match up with the waistband piece. 

Sometimes it's all about trusting the process! There are often some head scratching moments in sewing but usually if you trust the process you get those Ah Ha moments when it all comes together! 

2 weeks ago
Community Member Toto

Thank you so much !! 😁 It does make sense, as I was doing a muslin, I just wanted to check the fit and I did not do the pockets ! Thanks to you, now I understand !

I'm going to try again, with the pockets !

2 weeks ago
Admin SewHayleyJane

Thank you so much !! 😁 It does make sense, as I was doing a muslin, I just wanted to check the fit and I did not do the pockets ! Thanks to you, now I understand !

I'm going to try again, with the pockets !

Toto - 2 weeks ago

Fab, let us know how you get on! 

2 weeks ago
Community Member Toto

Thank you ! It works, now that I've added the pockets ! 😊

upload-2554-1744039823-GAkn0otsSS.jpeg
1 week ago
Admin SewHayleyJane

Thank you ! It works, now that I've added the pockets ! 😊

upload-2554-1744039823-GAkn0otsSS.jpeg
Toto - 1 week ago

Hooray!! They look great! 

1 week ago
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