I have two pair of Kingsland breeches I purchased for a STEAL from SmartPak. They are by far the best breeches I’ve ever owned, and I love them! The problem is that I’ve lost a good amount of weight recently, so they’re not fitting very well anymore. Has anyone successfully had breeches altered a size or so down, and still had them fit well? Thanks in advance!
I’ve been contemplating the same thing, having also lost some weight recently. In the short term I’ve been rolling the waistbands down several times to achieve a bit of a low-rise effect that at least stays on. But aside from the bulk that creates, I’ve learned that oversized full seats can create chafing issues unlike any other I’ve experienced before…
As a fairly competent seamstress, I’ve decided that it’s more work than it’s worth to tailor mine that are now 2+ sizes too big (stretchy fabric + multiple seams and darts + elastic-lined waistbands = lots of fussy work). I doubt very much if I could find a competent tailor to do the work for a cost-effective price, but I do hope someone chimes in with info to the contrary!
Congrats on your newfound fitness!
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Darn, that’s what I was afraid of. I’ve also gone down a couple of sizes, and now have a bunch of plus-size breeches I can no longer wear. (They are all the stretchy, tight-like material.)
I think you need to find someone with a serger, a regular sewing machine won’t work with stretchy fabric. Also, working with stretch fabric is not that easy and the placement of all of the seams would have to be adjusted such that cost wise, it is just not worth. Likely more efficient to just sell them and buy new ones. I am not a seamstress (but am the daughter of one) but I think that is the right answer. Congrats to all of you on your new found fitness!
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X-halt-salute - I have a pair of breeches I love, except for the very high waist. Would you think it would be worth it to lower the waistband? I always wondered if it was possible, as the zipper would also need to be made shorter or replaced.
ps. Congratulations to you both on improved fitness! DH recently got the bug, and lost a significant amount of weight. He is now in maintenance mode, and while I know how much work it is, there is no doubt he is happier and healthier for it.
I’ve done just about any modifications you can think of on my breeches :lol: My body changes every season!! I go up and down in weight. Honestly!!!
To size down a breech I turn them inside out. Undo the outside seam and sew a large hand basting stitch to redo the seam a little slimmer. Try on :lol: (before you decide to permanently stitch).
Rinse & repeat until the size is good.
Then zigzag with a good tough polyester thread - then zigzag the edges also to prevent fraying. - You really don’t need a serger:lol:
not to mention the good ones are expensive!!
If you’re really inclined you can do a nice zigzag top stich to finish the look off
To take a breech out its the same idea if you have enough leeway in the seams. The waist can be let out by inserting a “V” of similar fabric in the back and really reinforcing with a good zigzag stitch.
To adjust the crotch area for drooping or to reduce really uncomfortable inseams in that area (& you know what I am talking about!!) I do this:
Turn the garment inside out. Then I cut a diamond shaped patch out of the garment encompassing the inseam bulk. I then hand baste a flat piece of fabric (stretch, similar in colour - please please don’t use a black patch on a white beige breech
:eek: I don’t want to be there to see that! ) try on for fit and flatness, rinse and repeat until it lays just right then zigzag stitch on and zigzag over the seams to flatten them out for comfort. This even works on full seat breeches.
To raise the waistband on a too lowcut breech or a skinny jean you want to use for riding, its more involved but I’ll give you a quick summary - I:
undo the entire area including elastic belt loops and snaps. - Then I add a bit of similar fabric and reconstruct everything. I will usually then wear a nice looking polo or riding shirt over my breech waistband to hide the adjustment. But the fit is usually fabulous and I can put a flab busting fabric in there also to hold me in :lol: I prefer this to special underwear which are usually too hot in my climate.
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I am impressed by you ladies tackling the alterations…wow…even my Mom a super seemstress threw in the towel when it came to full seat breeches. I ended up selling 2 pairs on Ebay, so I could buy a new pair for myself! Good Luck!
It can be done if the width of the current waistband would fit well around the lower part of your waist where you want it to sit (does that make sense? Some of us are wider below the belly button than above it, so the feasibility of shortening the rise depends on the breeches cut and your figure).
But it would probably be about as difficult as the taking-in alterations DressageReine and I are contemplating. Based on the way most breeches are constructed it would involve deconstructing the bottom of the waistband, probably adjusting seams or adding darts to fit the contour of the new top of the breeches to your body/the circumference of the waistband, and then stitching it all back together. Shortening the zipper should be pretty easy so I don’t imagine you’d need to replace it.
[QUOTE=belgianWBLuver;7496924]
To size down a breech I turn them inside out. Undo the outside seam and sew a large hand basting stitch to redo the seam a little slimmer. Try on :lol: (before you decide to permanently stitch).
Rinse & repeat until the size is good.
Then zigzag with a good tough polyester thread - then zigzag the edges also to prevent fraying. - You really don’t need a serger:lol:
not to mention the good ones are expensive!!
If you’re really inclined you can do a nice zigzag top stich to finish the look off[/QUOTE]
I could imagine doing this with schooling tights, but most of the breeches I’ve “outgrown” (out-shrunk?) have fairly complex construction in the critical waist area. The waistband will have to be deconstructed and re-sewn once the seams are altered, which is where the real work comes in. I suppose if you didn’t care to preserve the seamless waistband construction your method would work (assuming you reposition the belt loops as needed before sewing and just sew the side seam right up through the waistband :eek:), but I admit to being too much of a DQ to be able to tolerate lumps of extra-thick waistband seam allowance and elastic in my sides (not to mention that I’d imagine my seamstress grandma and auntie shaking their heads from beyond the grave if I didn’t even attempt to finish them cleanly). So right now it’s a project I don’t have time for and am skeptical about handing off to your average dry-cleaners alteration person.
Whoa, there are some talented sewers on this board! I wish I had the knowledge to taylor them myself, but the most I can do with a needle is thread it :lol: I think it won’t hurt to take them to someone and at least see what they think. It’s good to know it’s possible at least.
Thanks for the encouragement on the weight loss! It’s been a long time coming and I’ve got a ways to go, but man I’m feeling good 
Going down 2 sizes is something that any accomplished taylor should have no problem with - yes it will cost some $$
If there is enough of a size down, one can just “cut” to get back to pieces that need to be stitched together.
If you find someone to do this, ask for price if you deconstruct the waistband yourself (assuming competency/interest 
) as that is likely to be the major time component in disassembly.
Of course not every taylor/seamstress likes to do this so may either refuse or quote a high estimate.
You may want to just contact Equissentials to see if they are interested or if they’ll recommend a seamstress/taylor - anyone that does a lot of breeches is going to be much quicker etc.
When adjustments are minor, you can look at adding darts etc but personally I hate the feel of anything untoward in my clothing so any repairs need to be “seamless” :lol:
Was there any solution to the problem of alteration on breeches? I have a pair of GS all leather breeches. They were fine when I was fox hunting, going x-c, or show jumping. I spent most of the time with my stirrups about 5 holes shorter, depending, and out of the saddle. Now I just spend time riding around the farm or going out to trail ride. My stirrups are not as short, and I spend more time sitting or half-seat daily. It’s getting closer to cooler temps and winter, and need to alter the GS breeches. The crotch is way too long and unless I’m standing with shorter stirrups it doesn’t work. They were also designed for men, and there is quite a bit of material in the front and seat. They are in really good condition, and I want to alter them. I have the machine as I wash, repair and alter horse blankets and repair tack so stitching them with my walking foot and the proper needles and threads is not a problem. My problem is more of how to alter from the ankle up around the inside of the pants to allow me to have a longer leg while riding. I have 3 pairs of GS breeches with the full seat and they match the color of the leather perfectly. The knees and fronts of them are worn through so I can remove the leather seat part to use. I’ve done that with about 12 pairs to use as patches or soft heavy tote type bags that I make. If anyone has any suggestions I’d be very grateful. Perplexed in Perry…Dinah
It also depends on the way they are constructed. Some breeches are simply made, like leggings with leather. Other breeches are made up of multiple panels, with fancy waistbands, this gets a little more complicated, but it can still be done. it’s a matter of how much work you want to put into it!
I have and old pair of breeches with a really nice, heavy real leather full seat. The leather is still in fab conditions but the fabric is threadbare. I’m planning on sewing a new pair and reusing the leather if I can ever find some spare time
I know people who have had their breeches tailored / taken in at the dry cleaners for less than $20 a pair, in So Cal. I think it’s worth asking someone.
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I’ll second this - in SoCal I got a bunch taken in at the waist for $25 a pair (and she did an excellent job - might be cheaper tailors out there). They fit me like a glove now, and my new go-to strategy is buy cheap breeches on sale, then just get them altered.
For what it’s worth, taking in at the waist wasn’t hard. I’m not sure how feasible it would be to take it in all the way down the leg, too (though I’m no tailor, perhaps it’s just a few extra stitches). I’m sure a good tailor could do it, though (as far as I can tell they are basically magicians 
).
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