Stacy and Clinton told me NOT to do this.
But I did it anyway.
And I like it!
Stacy and Clinton have been telling me all these years with my wide hips that this narrow cut will make me look like………….
of all things………..
AN ICE CREAM CONE.
I beg to differ!
I love how this narrow cut shows off my shoes.
I love how this narrow cut creates a slimming illusion.
I think I might do this to all my pants (Sorry my English and Australian friends, I know that “pants” word makes you giggle).
Here’s a quick version of how I did this:
Start with some thrift store wide leg trousers.
Next put them on inside out and have someone pin the new seam line for you. In my case, the ruggedly handsome contractor husband pinned them for me.
Now, use the pin lines as a guide to draw a chalk line. Sew the new seam and trim.
Measure the new hem line and sew a small rolled hem.
Put on some cute shoes and you’re good to go.
Now Stacy and Clinton, do I look like an ice cream cone?
If you liked this refashion, you might also like this:
or this:
or this:
or this:
or this:
The Renegade Seamstress 
I did that to two pairs of pants yesterday too, but I keep forgetting to take pictures of the befores for my blog! I do have one after though.
Oh Carolyn, I’d love to see the after picture!
Cute skinny pants & latest style also. Wow!
Cheers, Betty
Thanks Betty. I’ve been seeing this style all over. I loved how it showed off the shoes. I didn’t know if it would look good on me, but you never know til you give it a try!!!
Beth
They look great!
Thanks Corinne!
So cute! I’m doing this!!! 🙂
Super easy. I did it Friday night after a week in the classroom!
Please post pictures if you do it. I’d love to see them!
Beth
These are awesome! The after fit is so great.
I love seeing hubby help pics! You guys are so cute!
Thanks Nettie. He is not only handsome in my book but handy, too!
No ice cream cone there! I have several slacks I need to fit. I have a thick high waist, and all slacks purchased to fit said waist suffer baggy butt and saggy legs. My hubby, despite being ruggedly handsome, declines my requests for pinning assistance.
Perhaps if you show him this picture and the picture of ruggedly handsome husband working the oil rigs on my About page, your ruggedly handsome husband would be willing to put aside whatever ruggedly handsome thing he was doing to pin his – I’m sure- hard working wife’s pants 🙂
Love it! Those look really great, and super easy 🙂
It is SUPER easy!
LOL! I used to watch “What not to Wear” all the time. Stacey and Clinton are hilarious, but yes, they are definitely wrong on this one; you look great in those trousers. You are already a slim petite woman, but these go one step further to give you a nice long leg, too. And way to go for scoring the hubby’s assistance. What a sweetheart!
🙂
I LOVED “What Not to Wear”! I use to watch it all the time, too, Cara. The transformations always amazed me!
Ruggedly Handsome Husband is definitely a good sport! It was funny because he is currently working on a kitchen remodel and his client saw this post and commented that just a few hours prior, ruggedly handsome husband was playing Dr. Destructo at her house. A man of many talents!
Hope all is well with you!
Beth
They look great. Big thumbs up to your hubby too!
He is a good sport!!!! I’m sure it wasn’t easy maneuvering those tiny pins with those big fingers. One of the many reasons I love him!
Beth
They look so much more tailored and snazzy. Sorry Stacy and Clinton.
SNAZZY!!!! Love that word!
I agree….snazzy!!
Snazzy!!! 🙂
I love this! I have a pair of pant’s that I never wear b/c I hate the cut of the leg. I’m trying this out. Thank you!
Oh I hope you do try it. It opened up a whole new world to my tired neglected trouser collection. Plus it’s quick and easy, just what I like!
Enjoy your day!
Beth
Great idea~ The new pants look more fashionable indeed.
Thank you so much! I love your Chinese Knotting Pendant! I’m going to have to try that!
Beth
These are close to what we’d have called “pegged.” Not quite, but close. Look great.
Yes, I remember pegged pants!!! So funny!
Visiting from fame on Fridays. Your ruffled shirt was amazing! You are so talented!
Thanks Tammy! I hope you can visit again sometime!
Hello! Thank you so much for liking my very first upcycling project – I get so excited when someone I dont know reads my blog! Ive been having a read through yours and its inspired me to keep going with the upcycling/recycling – the possiblities of changing old clothes for new is endless – thanks for putting your tutorials up. Ive only just started sewing, so perhaps one day when Im more confident, Ill be doing tutorials too!
A quick question….when you do a rolled hem – do you use a different foot on your machine? Is a rolled hem easy to do or more advanced?
Sorry for such a long message – thanks for your support
x
Welcome, welcome, welcome! A rolled hem is just my word for first folding under a quarter inch and sewing, then folding it under again and sewing. That way there will be no rough edge.
I hope you’ll come back again!
Enjoy your day!
Beth
No icecream cone! Looks great! Good idea.
Thanks so much!
Happy Sunday!
Beth
Hey, I recognize that Ruggedly Handsome Guy!…..good sport of a guy. I have one of those too. Although I think he would decline the opportunity to be in the pictures! Cute pants by the way. Now I wish I had saved all of my mom’s pants that we sold at her garage sale, they were very, very wide!!
So true Barb! I now wish I would’ve saved more of my mom’s clothes. Oh, well, can’t save everything or our children would be calling in the film crew for an episode of Hoarders. (I think they may already be considering it in my case) 🙂
Thanks again for the wonderful get together at your house last weekend! It was so nice to see everybody!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Hugs, Beth
Looks really great. If you were not wearing them, you had nothing to loose. It worked out and you gained a nice new pair of trousers.
I know, that’s exactly the way I look at it, too. Why not take a risk and try resewing them, if it doesn’t work out, I’m not wearing them anyway, so no loss!
Thanks for the visit! I hope you’ll come back again!
Beth
OMG! Girl you look awesome! No way like an ice cream cone… Love the end result. I’m so going to have to go thrift store shopping and get some trousers to make super cute using your tutorial. Thanks!
Jeanna
You will make this work like magic Jeanna, I’m sure. Can’t wait to see pictures of it on your blog!!!
Beth
You do not look like an ice cream cone AND you don’t look you’ve been eating a lot of ice cream! Great sleek fit and love the fabric.
Re: comment about UK/Aussies giggling about the word ‘pants’….’round here (Sydney) we call them pants too…it’s the word ‘slacks’ that sends us into hilarity…;-p
Must just be my English friends that giggle at the word pants. 🙂 For you, my friend, I’ll be careful of my use of slacks…thanks for the heads up!!!!
Hey Beth, did you know that the word “slacks” was voted the #1 word that should be stricken from the English language?? This was chosen from many nominated words. Just thought ya might like ta know. Tom
Hmmm……interesting tid bit of information…..
And Mr. Thom,
How was the Kentucky Derby????
I think they look great! And given the patterning in the fabric it makes the refashion even more of a challenge. I think they are totally slimming, well done you.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate all your comments!
They look nice. You don’t remotely resemble an ice cream cone! I have lots of wide legs that could do with slimming down so I can cycle to work in them.
That would be perfect for riding! Great idea!
Beth
I think they look great! I wouldn’t even call those pants “skinny”; more like, well and properly fitted. Even though I don’t know you, I would also say they fit your personality, too–maybe because you look so pleased in the after shot!
I was pleased on how they turned out, but most likely, my smile is a result of gazing upon my ruggedly handsome photographer!!!!! 🙂
Hi, Beth! Just came over from Leanne’s blog!
Yes, the pants look great on you! I love grey, also!
And NO you don’t look like an Ice Cream Cone, hahahahahaah!
I love your sense of humour!
Cheers,
Thanks, Claudine! I hope you can come back and visit again! Enjoy your day!
Beth
I see your “likes” on my posts over at Fostering A Creative Life and finally am returning the favor. Lots of fun stuff you have here, excited that I subscribed so I can keep up with all your creations. I just recently started sewing again, so I’m super excited about your “refashion.”
I have to agree with all of the other comments, what a huge difference. It really flatters your shape! Quick question on the rolled hem, I saw your comment above about rolling the hem over a 1/4 inch so no raw edge, but isn’t there a different foot for your sewing machine you can use too. My friend had me use it on my daughter’s baptismal gown.
And one last thought onto to this insanely long comment. My ruggedly handsome husband will help too, but to have his picture taken in the process and then posted on my blog is a whole other story. Glad he’s such a good sport 🙂
Thanks for comin’ on over! I hope some of my posts will be helpful in your renewed sewing adventures!
As far as the special foot. There just might be one, I’ve just never used it.
Those husbands of ours- just gotta love ’em!!! 🙂
Enjoy your night!
Beth
These turned out so great. I’m definitely pinning this.
Oh, thank you so much!!!!! I hope you are able to try it some time. So easy and fun!
Beth
love love love your idea! I don’t know how to sew, but i might want to learn now.
Alice,
The beauty of refashioning thrift store clothes is you have virtually nothing to lose. It’s a great way to learn how to sew! I hope you try it, it’s so much fun.
Beth
I am so impressed! I can barely sew a button but I might try some of your ideas out. It’s old clothes anyway right?
That’s right! They’re old clothes so there’s nothing to lose. Just give it a try and you might surprise yourself!
Enjoy your evening!
Beth
Hello. These are GREAT! I had never thought of such an idea. I have about 5 pairs of wide leg pants that are just ‘so yesterday’, and now I can bring them into today. Your ones look so loevely! Thank you for sharing this!! xo
I’m so glad this is something you’ll be able to use. I want to do this to some of my jeans. I really love the way it shows off the shoes! Enjoy your evening and please let me know how your refashion works out. I’d love to see pictures!
beth
I did them – what do you think??
http://sewandbakeandlove.com/2012/06/05/sew-wide-leg-pants-into-slim-leg-pants/
They turned out soooooooo cute!!! I’m so glad you shared them with me. I always look forward to seeing what other people create!
Beth
This is great! I have been wondering for ages whether this would work or not. I have a pair of trousers made from really nice lightweight wool that would benefit from this treatment. Thanks for sharing your method.
You are so welcome! I hope you’ll post pictures when you’re finished!
I’d love to see how it turns out for you!
Beth
looks better…well done!
Thank you Hanni!
You look smashing, Beth!
Ellen 🙂
Thanks Ellen! I was just thinking about you and how I needed to go and visit your blog to see what you’ve been up to. You must have been reading my mind. 🙂
I’m headed to your place right now.
Beth
these look fab! thanks for visiting {re}purposed mind. I hope you enjoyed your visit enough to follow me and look forward to interacting with you again soon. Leo x
I’m your newest follower!
Beth
Your pants look fab. The thing is you’ve balanced the top over your hips and the skinny leg is more of a straight cut so how could you possibly look like an icecream cone. So you’ve nailed this really well.
I love this! I have two pairs of pants in my room just waiting for this to happen. I haven’t worn them in so long because they are so wide legged and they really aren’t that flattering. I can’t wait to try this! Hopefully my husband won’t grumble too much when I ask him to help…
I hope you get a chance to try it! So easy!
Beth
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Nice!!! I’ve done the same thing; and turned pants into shorts and skirts. One of my favorite skirts ever was refashioned from an old pair of striped painter pants! You are inspiring me to post some of my things! Enjoying your blog so much…..you have a great eye for salvagable clothes.
Oh I hope you do show us pictures. I’d love to see what you’ve done!
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What a great before and after. I’m tempted to take another look in my closet!
Isn’t it amazing what a little seam will do……
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Hi Beth, Your trousers look great. I don’t know who Stacy and Clinton are, but they don’t have a clue what they are talking about. I’m a big skinny trouser fan too!
And yes, the word ‘pants’ does make me giggle.
Thanks! Stacy and Clinton host the TV show What Not to Wear.
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Could you please tell me where I can order a ruggedly handsome husband? hehe I definitely need pinning assistance!
That’s so funny. I found mine in Cody, Wyoming back in 1977. Got a pretty good deal on him. 🙂
Very good post. I certainly love this site.
Keep writing!
Thanks so much!
great refashion!!! i have lots that need this but what do you do about the pockets?
Hi Lisa,
I just left the pockets as is. The new seam didn’t go up that far.
Hope you get a chance to try this.
Happy sewing!
Beth
I have several pair of dress pants that I LOVE (name brand) but HATE the wide leg so I’ve stored them for ’emergency’ use (funerals, job interviews, etc) and I’m feeling that this is worthy to bring them out of the plastic bin from under the house! I’ve also been looking for a worthy reason to bust out the ol’ sewing machine…well…this is more than WORTHY! 😉 Thank you! You’re awesome!
Oh, Joni, I’m so glad this will bring those pants out into the light again. It must be so lonely for them under the house. 😉
Happy sewing!
Beth
you look fabulous!!! i love that I stumbled upon you through pinterest… you are just too talented!
Thank you so much! I hope you’ll keep visiting and see what’s new. 🙂
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Hi Beth, Great tutorial! Thank you!
One question, sorry newbie here . . . How far up do you start pinning? Do you start as high as the thighs or at the knees? I have a few pairs of pants and a couple of jeans that I would love to re-do.
BTW, they do not give you the ice cream cone look at all. I also love the fabric.
Thank you! Stella
Hi Stella,
Where you start the pinning really depends on the pants you are starting with and how narrow you want them to be. Once you put them on, inside out, you will be able to see where you need to start pinning. When you have it all pinned, look in the mirror and you will be able to get a glimpse into what it will look like when you sew. You can redo the pins if you don’t like the look of it.
Hope that helps,
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Beth
Hi Beth. I have only just come across your website,loving it. I like you are quite wide on the hips and agree that tapered trousers are much more flattering. Also hate all the long length tops that they say you should wear to disguise big hips. If the tops are too long I always shorten them to sit just on the hip line,especial jackets. They look so much smarter. Look forward to reading more on your site,and I’m just going to make the renegade tote bag.:)
Hi Barbara! Have fun making the bag and please let me know if you have any questions.
I need to do this with several of my work pants! These are so cute. You look fabulous!
Thanks so much, Julieta! You are very kind.
LOVE this idea! I was just thinking how I need to go buy new work pants but I have all sorts of these wide leg trousers I never wear. Time to get the sewing machine out and save some money! Thank you!
Oh, you are so welcome, Amy!!! Have fun!
Great tutorial! I recently met with a stylist who suggested having some of my wider leg trousers altered to taper/skinny width. I have a sewing machine and can do a straight stitch. You make it look very easy to do!
I seriously have to try this. I have so many pair of dress pants that need tailoring. So excited to try it!!
Thanks for this great post! I also have difficulty with wider pants making my wide thighs look even wider! Skinny or straight legs work best on me and now I can actually convert some of my wide-leg fashion mistakes into masterpieces! Keep up the great work! 🙂
Fantastic post and tips, thank you so much! I shared it on my fb timeline 😉
Inside seam? Thank you.