How to Get Rid of Muffin Top Tights Tutorial

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I’m not talking about losing weight. Weight is never the issue. Tights and hose are no respecter of persons when it comes to the blessed muffin top. Since I have 1-2 pairs of tights that don’t give me muffin top, I’m bound to think that I’m not the only one with this issue.

Also, it’s not really about the bulge of skin peeking out from the opening of tights (okay it’s partly that), it’s about how terribly uncomfortable tights are when they have such a tight waist. I’m not so prideful that I purchase tights within my dimensions. I always size up. It’s just a gamble whether or not those particular tights were made with a suffocating waistband.

It’s not  reliable to stick with a certain brand, either.

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I would show you a real before and after, but no one needs to see me in my tights. You get the idea with the illustration above.

But I solved the problem this weekend. It’s crazy easy. I’ll show you how to lose that muffin top without diet, exercise! Is it witchery, you ask? Perhaps. Let’s get started.

No-More-Muffin-Top Tights Refashion Tutorial

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Supplies

  • seam ripper
  • scissors
  • pins
  • measuring tape
  • regular sewing machine
  • elastic
  • tights

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Cut that nasty, too-tight-for-real-humans waistband off your tights. Snip! Snip!

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Measure you’re waist and cut a length of elastic (I used a wide picot elastic, but any comfortable, stretchy elastic will do). Sew the ends together.

Do you see how enormous my true waistband looks compared to the tights waistband? It’s bananapants.

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Pin the elastic on top of the tights in quarters. Split the seam allowance along the back seam of your tights. Now you’ll always have a front and back to your tights, too!

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Stretch the tights as you sew and sew a generous zig-zag stitch all the way around.

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Guaranteed, it won’t be the prettiest of fixes. At least mine weren’t. We’re going for speed and function here since I never expect anyone to see me wearing  just my tights!

I can’t begin to describe how much more comfortable I felt on Sunday. And I had nice smooth lines under my wiggle skirt. Big win!

 

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  1. Leslie says:

    LOL Melissa remember Mom’s warning of always wearing clean underwear ….just in case ???? LMAO
    I can picture you wanting to swat me at this moment lol
    Great fix for the problem!!!!

  2. Kristin H says:

    Brilliant! I have got to do that to mine. Even more than the muffin top, I loathe the nylon roll that happens after moving around in hose. Soo uncomfortable.

    I am diggin the illustrations, btw.

  3. Oh my! What a difference in the size of the waistband. Naughty tights designers, making us all so uncomfortable!

  4. Shar says:

    This is very timely for me. I was thinking I’d have to toss the new tights I’d just bought after feeling like they were cutting off the circulation around my waist. Thank you!

  5. Jessica says:

    Excellent! Will try it.

  6. juju says:

    you know how much I need to try this!
    never in pain again! and wearing tights sizes too big which results in baggy ankles… never again.

  7. Tatiana says:

    This is so brilliant! I hate to wear tights because of the waistband, this is perfect, I am going to try it tonight!

  8. Shelby says:

    YOU ARE MY HERO. I have always loved tights! I love having my legs be a different color or pattern and I love coordinating the look w/ my outfit. However, I HATE that super tight squeeze and that awful bulge! This is definitely the next project I will tackle on my machine! Might take a while since I have 20+ tights…

    • Melissa says:

      Haha!! I’m so happy to hear that I’m not the only one with this issue! This tutorial is so fast, you’ll have those 20+ tights in ship shape in no time. You saw how imperfect my sewing is, you can go lickety fast because no one will see the tops of those babies.

  9. Cindy says:

    What about using foldover elastic?

  10. Farfel says:

    How about eating fewer muffins.

  11. Patricia Moore says:

    Thanks for the tip!

  12. Peggy says:

    I never thought I would type this comment, but OMG! I have been disabled for thirteen years. Part of what helps me move around is a titanium pump placed in my mid-abdomen that delivers pain medicine directly into my spine. I am not complaining, it has been the one thing that has gotten me out of bed and moving and on my feet. However, I am not as sick and have lost weight and now the pump is placed directly where most waistbands land. This is a lifesaver! Thanks and thanks again. I might have to apply this idea to other waistbands. I believe my waist has been so sore and tight I couldn’t even come up with a remedy on my own! Thank you from the bottom of my tights!

  13. denae says:

    Would it be better to use a wider elastic or smaller elastic for this? Or does it make a difference at all? I’m trying to decide between using 1cm wide elastic vs. 2cm wide elastic. Help! :)

  14. marijka says:

    I have the opposite problem — tights always creep down so I get grandpa crotch!! (I buy size based on large hips/thighs, so waist is always too large.) No problemswith nylons since I can buy control-top, but very few tights have that option. I’m going to pull out my bin of tights and try this fix before the cold weather hits!!

  15. Nine says:

    Hi! Just found your blog through Pinterest and I’m in love with it already! Anyways, I had the same problem with my ballet tights, it was so uncomfortable for class… One day I got sick of it and just out the horrible elastic and it worked! I guess it’s because ballet tights are sturdier cause when I tried that with regular tights, it made them disposable, haha…

  16. jasper says:

    My question is indeed… melissa, do they not creep down this way? that will be annoying too…

  17. Sharon says:

    Just brilliant thank you !!!!

  18. Cassie says:

    haha the “eat less muffins comment” lol. Seriously I’ve seen supermodels in tights before the photo editing, they don’t have any less trouble with the waist spillage!

    So glad you found a solution! I bought a $50 pair from Express that have a knit waistband. but I should try this with some other pairs!

  19. Kathie says:

    They probably look better, too, because a too-tight waist makes your stomach stick out. (Or so I’ve heard LOL)

  20. Donna says:

    Wow, what a great idea! I have an entire drawer full of tights I have never worn for the same reason. I even sew but never thought of putting a different waist band on. I am going to do this ASAP!

  21. Bonnie c Westrom says:

    Thanks for the idea. I already sew my pants,skirts, shorts with wide elastic-works great. Will try it with those dreaded tights.

  22. pam leach says:

    This idea sounds great…But more work that I have time to spend on my hose/tights! I simply take my scissors and snip through the offending waistband…And there you have it…instant relief!

  23. Jen says:

    Love this site I just found!! I”m a NOVICE seamstress – do you use a particular type of thread for this fix?

  24. Renee Brincks says:

    What a great idea!! Besides being too tight, I hate it when the waistband rolls down!

  25. Barb says:

    Great idea. Would work with any pants.

  26. Tracy says:

    Has anyone tried on their tights after cutting off waistband but before replacing elastic? And they roll, roll, roll, all the way down to top-thigh? I fear I’ve ruined all my tights this way. Will the elastic really hold them up where they belong? (it seems like when I cut the waistband off, they turned instantly into very low hipsters no matter how hard I pull up: the room in the panty for my bum decreased by half! Ack!) Thanks much!

    • Melissa says:

      OH I’ve tried that. It’s so frustrating how low they get. By adding the elastic (I typically go for a wide elastic at least 1 1/2 inch wide), it solves the problem. They look funny when not worn, but they’ll stay up just fine. :)

  27. […] No matter what your size or shape, tights (aka stockings) always seem to give absolutely anyone that dreaded muffin top. I’m not quite sure why they insist on making the waistbands to ridiculously tight, but here’s a way to combat it and actually feel comfortable again!Lifehack Source and Detailed Instructions – MelissaSplin […]

  28. […] sure yours are comfortable by checking out this tutorial from Melissa Esplin. It will help loosen off your tights’ waistbands and get them sitting more comfortably than ever. […]

  29. Julia says:

    Hi there. I have tried something simelar in the past. My aim was preventing the tights from rolling down the middle. I needed a smooth look in a tight dress. My solution was to cut off the tops of a pair of old self holding pantyhose, measuring it to fit my waist and then sewing it to the waistband of tights. It comes up to the rib cage but so comfortable. Perfect result every time. Also works great for slimming shorts. No muffin tops any more.

  30. […] Lifehack Source and Detailed Instructions – MelissaSplin […]

  31. SR says:

    Sounds good! Wish I could use this on pantyhose, but they will probably run???

  32. Diane says:

    This is a super idea!! I really don’t know who decides what sizes to make clothing but they certainly don’t take real people into consideration! Thanks!!

  33. […] Wear tights without the dreaded muffin top. Yes, it’s really […]

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