How To Alter Your Large Shorts / Pants To Be Smaller - Quick and Easy DIY

In this video, I show you guys my quick DIY method of how I turn my old, baggy shorts into a more slim and shorter fit.
I alter basketball shorts in this video, but these steps can apply to denim shorts, and even pants too, with of course some variations.
Pre-Requisite: for this video, you must already know how to use a sewing machine! If not, watch other Youtube tutorials first and then come back to this one, OR you can hand stitch it with a needle and thread.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional by any means at alterations; this is the method that I do, and it works for me. If you want a more professional job, consult a local tailor.

How To Taper Baggy Shorts To Be More Slim
How To Make Shorts More Fitted, Or Smaller
0:00 How To Re-purpose Bigger Shorts
0:29 Materials You'll Need
Make sure you pick the right color to match your garment!
Fiskars is a good and reliable brand IMO, but there are cheaper alternatives
Your Favorite Pair of Shorts
0:50 Step 1
Reverse Your Big Shorts Inside Out
0:58 Step 2
Align Your Template Shorts Over The Baggy Shorts
I personally align the outer ends, as well as the hems together, in preparation for measuring and cutting off the middle / inseam part of the big shorts
1:05 Step 3
Use a ruler / yardstick to measure distance from big shorts inseam, to template shorts inseam, and use a marker or fabric pen to make a mark
1:29 Step 3.5
Use the rule / yardstick to draw a line from the crotch of the inseam, to the mark on the hem that you made. Do this on both sides
1:47 Step 4
Use pins to secure both sides (front and back) of the shorts. Make sure that as you place the pins, that the inside part of the shorts that you are about to cut off, is ironed out and flattened
2:14 Step 5
Use sewing machine to create a straight line stitch along the lines and pins
2:41 Step 6
Use pinking shears to cut off excess fabric
Optional: leave a 1-2 inch seam allowance from the stitching you created, and this will help you proceed with steps 7 and 8. You don't have to perform this step, as the 'unprofessional' serrated finish is going to be hidden inside the shorts anyway. This step and the next two simply allow for a more 'professional' / closed off finish and protect the fabric a little better with excess wear and tear
3:05 Step 7 (Optional)
With the seam allowance, fold the flaps towards the stitching. Use pins to secure flaps in place.
3:39 Step 8 (Optional)
Stitch flaps together

How To Make Shorts Shorter in Length
3:49 Step 9
Fold the hem upwards to desired height / length
You can also refer to your template shorts
CAUTION: this step is only most effective if you are only altering no more than 1 inch off. For anything shorter, you might want to cut excess fabric first, as the stitching if too big (i.e. more than 2 inches) will show on the front side of the garment, and it won't look good
4:11 Step 10
Sew the fold together as shown
4:18 Style Hack
Fold your waist band 1 or 2 times
4:31 Final Result
4:43 Before and After

Equipment I Use For My Youtube Channel:

Disclaimer: I only recommend products that I personally have used myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. None of these products are sponsored, nor am I paid directly by the company to advertise these products. The links above are affiliate links; meaning that they are at no additional cost to you, but I may earn a small commission. Thank you.

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Thanks for watching!

[FitLabb]

Everyone has that pair of huge shorts they wish were smaller (because style 😂). This was very interesting! I definitely have a couple pairs I probably should alter like this.

[lisbethdc]

4:48 this video wasn't fast paced, it was perfect. I prefer exact explanations
It was clear and I'm going to use this video to make some shorts legs I have narrower.
Thank you so much and keep it up.

[JJAllDay]

You did a great job wit that. Do more tutorials

[SamDCote]

This is a great tutorial man! Sewing is one of those things that seems so difficult until it’s explained like this. Would love to see a tutorial on how to use the machine!

[audreyhardy]

I am very impressed that you taught yourself to sew there was one thing that you do that I was taught never to do to pull the fabric on the back side of the machine. Let the feed dog feed it through you may need to guide it but don't pull it. It may break the stitches or stretch the fabric. Not to be critical but you don't know what you don't know. The video was very helpful thanks

[AJ-cfki]

this is very helpful tutorial! next up im researching how to alter the waistband

[nohemigomez]

I'm so happy that you are a male doing sewing, alterations. Even if we are in 2021 this is still "a woman's job" but truth be told I suck at this bad 😂. I tried using a sewing machine before but the fabric just got caught up on the little crevasse where the needle goes. Brings me a lot of joy to see a lot of males in the comments.

[CREATEWITHJONATHAN]

Great job bro. As you get older the slim fit does become more appealing. I love my baggy shorts for the House, just lounging and chilling out. Again, great video bro. 🙌🏼

[resabudai]

This is a great tutorial. You are thoroughly enjoyable to watch and listen to, no fluff. Loved it!

[CoachKev]

I've definitely tried to do this with multiple pieces of clothing lol. This is the way it should be done. All I do is roll up the waist until it gets to my optimal length lol.

[KingMajors]

Much better than rolling up the waist Ha ! You are a man of many talents, always fun watching your content homie, and I usually learn something new at the same time.

[otherryan]

*Dang* this tutorial really helped me out a *ton* but those sewing skills are on point 🔥🔥 I've gotten so many pieces tailored in the past but have never really taken the time to learn how to do it myself. This gives me some inspiration to get my hands on a sewing machine because those tailor visits really add up over time lol. Solid tutorial and the altered shorts look great!

[feastfriday]

I wish I kept some of my old shorts now. I had some baggy bangers lol. Mostly call shorts but they would be nice in today's style era if altered right. That's dope that you know how to do alterations man. My grandfather was a tailor so growing up I would always watch him sew and do all these alterations to clothes. It was cool to be around. I kind of wish I took it up a bit.

[TheStyleGoat]

I never thought to do this to be honest with you and it’s so cool you made such a clean tutorial for it. The most i have done is i made tutorials about distressing jeans and a denim jacket. Keep making more content like this and would love if you made a tutorial on using a sewing machine cause I’m timid to learn haha

[HALKVLOGS]

My broooo. BEST KEPT BRODIE. LETS Huge supporter bro. We gon make it. Keep going.

[janpeters]

Great tutorial! Easy to follow and I’ve owned pinking shears forever so will definitely give it a go👍🌟🌟

[bryanthegreatest]

Definitely learned alot watching this vid bro, please keep up wit the life hack s👍

[bccabernet]

This was great. I do know how to sew, but not so much in altering my pre-made items. I want to fix my pjs set as I got the last sale item, which the pj bottom is 2 sizes way too big. lol
I would comment though that if you are altering stretchy material, do not sew it as you would sew regular cotton fabrics. Otherwise, the stitches will break when the fabric is stretched.

[anthony.tai.]

Awesome vid man! this is really helpful actually! gotta try it out!

[ZavieM]

This tutorial was super clear to follow, Dang. I was so engrossed by the process.
How many have you altered? Baggy really was the wave. I think all of my athletic shorts reach below my knees 😄