Altering Hand-me-Downs

We receive a lot of hand-me-downs clothes for the kids, for which I am very thankful.  Sometimes, though, they are in need of repair or a little altering before the kids can wear them.  I’ve re-sewn hems, put flowers back on dresses, sewn up little holes in seams, and the list goes on.  It makes me glad we invested in a good sewing machine in our pre-children days.

The most common alteration I need to make is adding elastic to pants.
Use a seam ripper to rip two holes in the waistband seam just to the inside of  the belt loops.

Choose some elastic a little narrower than the waistband seam.  Put a safety pin on one end.  Use the safety pin to help you draw the elastic through, being careful not to pull the end all the way through.

Carefully pull the elastic through until the very end is just inside the open seam.  Using matching thread, sew the elastic into place.  I used a zigzag stitch for added stability.

Now, you’ll need to try the pants onto the child.  While they are wearing them, draw up the other end of the elastic until the pants fit comfortably.  Safety pin or just hold this in place.  Sew this end of the stretched elastic the same as above, being careful to ensure the elastic is not twisted.  Cut off the extra elastic and sew up the seams you ripped earlier.

This whole process only takes about 15-20 minutes.

What types of alterations have you made to your children’s hand-me-downs?