Lower rise trousers

Lower rise trousers when the trousers are too tight in the crotch.

Lowering the rise is the opposite of taking the crotch up.

Turn the trousers inside out.  To have complete access to the rise, push one leg into the other, inside out.  This means you have the centre front and centre back folded.

It is always better to pin first.  Begin pinning at the front with the seam on the right hand side.  Line up the inside-leg seams to make sure they are together.  If the trousers have a zip in the front or back, you will have to begin just below the zip area.  If the zip is in the front begin to sew just below the zip and taper out slowly.  Sew around to the center back, then over lock off the excess, or zig zag if you do not have an over locker (serger).

If the zip is close to the crotch, it maybe worthwhile starting at the back and sewing around to the front.  It is sometimes easier to sew UP TO a zip rather than starting below the zip.  It would depend on how far the zip is from the crotch.

The trick to getting a good shape is to begin on one side at the seam BEFORE it curves under so that you create a new curve lower down.  When coming up the opposite side, taper into the seam slowly.  If the stitching is not smooth into the seam, when turned inside out it will have a lump in the fabric.

Try the trousers on to see if they feel comfortable.  I would suggest you sew a little at a time until you have let out enough.  Lower rise trousers is a quick and easy way to release the tightness in the crotch.

Happy sewing

Judith aka genie