How to Use Snap Pliers to Make an Adjustable Waist on Kids Clothing

My kids have tiny waists and are tall, they get this from both my husband and I. My mom was always tacking the waist of my clothes (pre-adjustable waist clothing) as a child. Thank goodness that most clothing these days come with the adjustable waistband. I picked up 2 athletic shorts/skorts for my daughter this weekend at the Old Navy clearance sale and got home to find out they were too big in the waist!! Shocking…I know!

Neither pair had drawstrings or adjustable waist so I was going to pull out the needle and thread and tack them to fit.  Then I remembered my brand new snap pliers and thought this might look nicer and be easier to undo when she grows a bit.

On the first pair, I only added one snap to adjust the waist.  On the second pair, I added two snaps and I think it’s a cleaner finish when it’s completed. In less than 5 minutes, we have two pairs of shorts that fit my skinny waisted six year old.

What you’ll need:

• Snap press or snap pliers
• Snaps
• Small awl

I’ve used the Babyville Boutique brand of snap pliers that I got a few weeks ago off Zulily, but you can use any snap pliers that you find. The one I have came with the awl and I purchased a few bags of snaps. You can find different brands on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1L2sUZX (affiliate link)

To view on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DTZAnfgWZd0

Using a snap press is actually really easy.  There are just a few pieces and when you first look at them you might be a little confused. The caps are the pointy pieces that look like tacks. The snap pieces have a male end (stud) and a female end (socket). In addition, there is the pliers (or press) and an awl for poking holes in the fabric. Just remember that you need one male end and one female end to make a snap baby!!

Once you know where to place your snap, you’ll need to poke the awl through the fabric. Then you can add your cap and place a male end on top of it – cap/fabric/stud – and press! In the diagram above, the spike of the cap should be facing the top clear piece on the plier (color may differ by brand). Then repeat using the female end – cap/fabric/socket – and press. When you are finished, the male and female ends should snap together.

…and here it is with 2 snaps on the waist instead of just one. I think it lays better and fits nicer.

That’s it!! When you little one needs to let the waist out it’s super easy to pop the snaps off.

What else have you added snaps to? How else have you used your snap pliers?

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