Thread: elastic in ankles of harem pants

ok, this may sound strange, however, has anyone ever removed the elastic from the ankles of harem pants and then had them hemmed with out it. Besides not liking the baggy look of them ( yet they are cheaper and seen some in stunning fabrics) I also can't wear any elastic around my ankles due to nerve problem and swelling. I wanted to find out if can be done before buying any and taking somewhere, only to find out it can't.

You can replace the elastic with an ankle cuff, which can be closed with buttons, snaps or velcro. I also have one pair that has a fixed cuff I can just about slip my feet through.

thanks, only thing is don't want the billowy look. want then to lay more straight.

Originally Posted by Devona-Ankhsunamon

ok, this may sound strange, however, has anyone ever removed the elastic from the ankles of harem pants and then had them hemmed with out it.

Depending on the length of the pants, you might not need to rehem them. You might be able to simply remove the elastic and be done with it. But if they turn out to be too long after removing the elastic, then yes, you should simply be able to redo the hem to whatever length you like. Should be a simple, straightforward project.

There's no reason why you can't take out the elastic, depending on the cut they will probably just look like palazzo style pants without. Usually they are made a little bit longer than normal trousers to take into account the elastication effect, but it is a very simple job just to remove the elastic yourself.

Having made pants for yrs, I've done all sorts of stuffs to the ankle ends.

I've made cuffs when haven't had enough fabric for full billowy pants also. I made cuffs about 6 inches long, then sewed to ends of short pants. They look sort of Indianish, and it's easy to do.

I've often made harem pants w/o elastic. They come out as full legged pants--very cute. As Shira said, if you buy them the right length, you might not even have to hem them.

can't do hems to save my life. I can make bras and belts, but past that my sewing stinks. so, would have to take them somewhere. glad to know it can be done. I thank you and my ankles thank you.

Another suggestion - which might not work if the compression issues are not confined to your ankles - is having harems that are insanely long and wearing the elastic under your knees. I have ones like this - they are very full around the bottom as a result.

really can't have elatic on any part of legs. sends my nerves into a screaming fit above the ankle. thanks though. I am dealing with a chronic neurological pain disorder, where my nerves translate everything as pain. while it is mainly under control, eleastic seems to be the one thing to still bug it out.