How To Stretch Jeans That Are Too Short

Sometimes, you fall in love with a pair of jeans, only to discover they are just a touch illegally short for your liking. Don’t worry if you know the right tricks, you can add some extra inches to your skinny jeans in this step-by-step guide to stretch denim with some quick fixes as well as more time-consuming solutions.

Almost everyone owns a pair of jeans but when your’s get a little bit too short, you might not wish to give up on them because of fashion or stability. What do you do in this situation? Do you just accept your short jeans? Or do you keep trying to find a way to keep your jeans longer? Well, if you feel the same, keep on reading, we have made some tips on how to stretch your jeans that are too short.

Understanding the Fabric

First, know the fabric. Jeans are typically made from denim – the classic and beloved cotton twill. There are several types of denim – stretch jeans have elastane, also known as spandex, rotocontain, lycra or lycra mix, and rigid jeans are 100 percent cotton. Stretch jeans will stretch back out of shape over time, while rigid denim will not.

Pre-Stretching Preparations

Gathering Necessary Materials To effectively stretch your jeans, you will need:

• A large basin or bathtub
• Warm water
• A spray bottle
• An iron
• A hairdryer
• Fabric softener or baby shampoo
• A stretching device (optional)
• Towels

Setup Your Workbench Make sure your workspace is clear and flat. Lay out some towels to protect your work surface and to dampen any excess water. 

Using Water to Stretch Jeans

Method 1: Soaking and Wearing

1. Fill a basin or bathtub with warm water.
2. Submerge your jeans in the water for about 30 minutes.
3. Put on the jeans and walk around with them wet – they’ll mold to your perfect butt form and shape, and grow along with you (if you ever stopped growing and could fit in kids’ jeans, blame the heat setting on your clothes dryer).

Method 2: Method of a Spray Bottle

1. Pour some warm water into a spray bottle.
2. Concentrating on the hems of the jeans, spray the desired places to stretch.
3. Wet them, then put the jeans on, and stretch them by pulling on the fabric. 

Heat-Based Stretching Methods

Method 1: Ironing

1. Apply some spray bottle dampness to the desired stretching locations.
2. Lay the jeans flat on an ironing board.
3. Iron the damp areas on medium heat, pulling the fabric with the iron. 

Method 2: Hairdryer Technique

1. Apply some spray bottle dampness to the desired stretching locations.
2. To reheat the moist regions, use a hairdryer with the setting of medium heat.
3. To help the jeans stretch while they dry, gently tug on the cloth.

Mechanical Stretching Techniques

Using a Stretching Device Stretching devices can help evenly stretch your jeans.

1. Place the device inside the jeans.
2. Adjust the device to apply gentle pressure on the fabric.
3. Leave the jeans on the device for several hours or overnight.

Chemical Methods

Using Fabric Softeners

1. Mix fabric softener with warm water in a basin.
2. Submerge your jeans in the mixture for 30 minutes.
3. Then take them off and pull on them to stretch them, paying special attention to the areas that need extending.

Applying baby shampoo

1. Pour some warm water into a basin and stir in a tiny bit of baby shampoo.
2. Submerge your jeans in the solution for 30 minutes.
3. Stretch the jeans by hand while they are still wet.

Professional Help

If DIY solutions don’t work, you can seek the help of somebody with the right tools in a tailor’s shop or dry cleaners. This option might be expensive but it is also more likely to produce a professional result. 

Preventing Future Shrinkage

Appropriate Cleaning Methods

• To avoid shrinking, wash your jeans in cold water.
• Refrain from using the dryer’s highest heat setting.

Proper Drying Techniques

• Air dry your jeans whenever possible.
• Select the low-heat setting on your dryer if you must use one.

DIY Stretching Devices

Making Your Stretcher

1. Use wooden planks or sturdy cardboard to create a frame.
2. Place the frame inside the jeans to apply gentle pressure.
3. Leave the jeans on the frame overnight.

Stretching Specific Areas

Lengthening the Hem

1. Unpick the hem using a seam ripper.
2. Iron the edges flat.
3. Sew a new hem if necessary, allowing for extra length.

Stretching the Waist and Thighs

1. Use a stretching device or your hands to pull these areas gently.
2. Consider adding fabric extensions for additional room.

Common Errors to Steer Clear of

Overstretching

• If you overstretch the fabric your jeans will fail. What this statement should have said is: ‘Don’t stretch too hard or the jeans will fail.’ The way it is worded though, is completely incomprehensible. Stretching gently is not likely to damage the fabric unless you follow Trousers’ recommendation of stretching slowly and checking the fit every few moments.

Using the Wrong Methods for the Fabric

• For certain fabrics, you need to wash with a special technique. Make sure that the washer and detergent match the denim you have.

Maintaining Stretched Jeans

Tips for Keeping Jeans in Good Shape

• Avoid frequent washing.
• Store jeans flat or hung up properly to maintain their shape.

How to Store Stretched Jeans

• Fold jeans along the seams to maintain wrinkles and keep them stretched out. Hang them on pants hangers.

Alternative Solutions

Adding Fabric Extensions

• If stretching isn’t enough, consider sewing fabric extensions to the hems for added length.

Turning Jeans into a Different Garment

• As a last resort, cut the jeans into shorts, a skirt or something equally reimagined. 

Conclusion

It is possible to stretch jeans that are too short for you using the right materials and methods. Water, heat, and mechanical devices are just some of the ways to lengthen your jeans. Handle your jeans carefully, since they are delicate garments, and seek professional help if the situation calls for it.

If you’re feeling up to a frugal DIY project, you can try cutting off the ends of your jeans, because if you wait long enough you’ll get just the pair you want. Whatever your denim type or desired cropped jeans look, hopefully, one of these methods works for you. Happy stretching!