How to Sew an Elastic Waistband (Skirt, Shirt or Pants)
Getting the right fit means taking a little extra time to consider using elastic in the waistband, and other garment locations. Comfort is key and elastic can help you be comfortable and secure at the same time.
How to sew an elastic waistband: There are two basic methods you can use to sew an elastic waistband. One is more time consuming than the other. The easiest way to do this task is to create the casing first, then stitch the casing in place. The third step is to insert the elastic inside the casing. Finally, sew the elastic ends together.
To learn more about how to sew an elastic waistband just continue to read our article. It explores the topic thoroughly so you have all the information you need to do the job right. Sewing an elastic waistband is not as difficult as you may think
Sewing an Elastic Waistband 101
Can You Sew Through Elastic?
Yes, you can sew through elastic. There is no danger in ruining the integrity of the elastic strip unless you are doing something horribly wrong. Elastic is fabric so it is not difficult to put the needle through a strip using a sewing machine.
In fact, sewing through elastic is one of the two ways you can make an elastic waistband, cuff or shoulder. It is not hard to do and it takes a little patience and know-how to get the elastic to sit just right.
Also, sewing through elastic is the way to go when you want your fabric design to have that bunched look. When you sew through elastic you want to use a zig-zag stitch. Not only does this stitch provide extra strength to your garment it helps the fabric stretch with the elastic.
Make sure to sew all the around the strip and then finish by overlapping the starting stitch.
How To Sew Elastic Into The Fabric
Sewing elastic into the fabric is not that hard. It just takes a little time and concentration to get the task done right. There are some key steps to follow to help you achieve that objective:
Step #1 - measure the waist, arm, etc. First, so you know how much elastic you will need. Then measure your elastic strip and cut the length off that you need. To get a snug fit, take 2 to 4 inches off the waist size, etc., when measuring the elastic length and cut to that measurement.
Step #2 - now take your newly cut elastic strip and sew the ends together. You will need to overlap the ends by at least 1/4 of an inch and use a zig-zag stitch. Make sure to stitch the ends 2 or 3 times to make sure they will hold together.
Step #3 - This step has you pinning the elastic to the fabric at 4 equally spaced positions. Start at the seam and if there isn’t one, just pick the best spot for you to start at. Give yourself 1/4 inch from the edge of the fabric before pinning.
Step #4 - Get your sewing machine ready and turn to the zig-zag stitch. Then sew the elastic at the top of the strip all the way around and overlap your starting point. The key here is to stretch the elastic as you sew. This enables the elastic strip to be the same size as the fabric.
Step #5 - fold the elastic over towards the inside of the fabric and begin sewing. Make sure the elastic is flat as you sew. Use a zig-zag stitch again and do the stretching. The only difference is you are sewing the bottom of the elastic to the fabric. Overlap the starting point by about an inch.
That is one method of how to sew elastic to the fabric.
Can You Sew Elastic by Hand?
It is possible to sew elastic strips by hand. It is not the easiest task in the world to do but it can be done if you have enough strength and patience to get the job done. One of the issues that make hand sewing so difficult is that the elastic needs to be stretched as you sew.
That requirement makes it hard to hold the fabric, stretch the elastic and sew at the same time. You may consider sewing the elastic in small sections. Stretch a little, then sew, stretch some more, then so and on it will go till you have completed the task.
If you choose to do that method, make sure you have scheduled a lot of time to get it done right. This is not a job that can be rushed. The short cut method is to just sew the ends together after getting the elastic through the casing, leaving the elastic to float instead of being secured to the fabric.
How to Sew Elastic Fabric by Hand
To use this sewing method you are going to need some hand and finger strength. It is not an easy task to do as you are going to do everything listed above by hand. The first thing you need to do is make sure the elastic does not get twisted as you lay it out.
Then sew the two ends together. If you can’t do a zig-zag stitch by hand then go over the ends up to 10 times to make sure the stitches will hold. The tricky part is stretching the elastic as you sew.
This gets a little difficult if you have pinned the elastic in 4 equally spaced sections. You have to pull the pin, hold the elastic and then stretch while trying to sew at the same time.
Once you get all the way around, you need to fold the fabric and elastic to the inside and do the work all over again. Stretching the elastic is vital if you want it to do the job you intended it to do.
Pick the best stitch pattern possible as you want the stitches to stretch a little with the elastic.
Sewing a Separate Elastic Waistband
Before you start, make sure you have all the supplies you need. This saves time and lets you finish quickly. The supplies you need are a sewing machine, pins, thread that is the same color as the fabric you are attaching the waistband to and the elastic piece.
The method described here is for adding a waistband to a dress:
Step #1 - make sure you turn the dress inside out and that it lays flat.
Step #2 - cut the elastic strip making it a few inches shorter than the dress waist width
Step #3 - Now you find the center of the dress waist and the center of the elastic strip. Pin both together. A word of caution, do not pin both sides of the dress when doing this step
Step #4 - Get some fabric chalk or pins to mark where you want the elastic to stretch. This stretch point will tell you how many inches the dress will be gathered in so make a good selection and do not overdo it.
Step #5 - when you place the dress on your sewing machine, keep it inside out and backside up. Now match the elastic strip end to one of the chalk marks or outside pin. Do a zig-zag stitch, reversing a couple of times to make sure the stitch does not slip.
Step #6 - continue sewing towards the middle of the elastic strip, stretching the elastic out evenly. When you get to the end copy what you did at the beginning and do a few reverse threads to hold the elastic nice and tight.
That is all there is to it. This procedure should only take about 10 minutes to complete.
How to Sew Elastic Waistband With Casing
This is probably the easiest method for sewing elastic into a waistband. It doe snot take a lot of work and you do not always have to sew the elastic to the fabric. The first step is to make a small slit in the waistband. This is your entry and exit point.
Next, you need to attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic strip to help you thread the elastic through the casing. Once you have that done, all you need to do is sew the two ends together using a zig-zag stitch.
Finally, you sew the slit back up and you are done. If you are making the casing from scratch, then start by sewing a thine line about 1/4 of an inch above the raw edge. This gives you an even line to work with.
Fold that line under the fabric and press the folded part till it lies flat. Make another fold, along the waistline and press again. The second fold should provide you with enough space to allow your elastic strip to slide through easily.
Finally, sew the casing together leaving about an inch between the start and end of the casing. This is the slit you need to use to add your elastic strip and pull it out. You can use fabric chalk or pins to mark this so you do not forget and sew the casing completely shut.
Make sure to sew close to the edge of the casing. This makes sure you do not lose any room for your elastic strip.
Sewing Exposed Elastic Waistband
When sewing elastic waistbands it is possible to sew on the elastic strip without using a casing. This is the easiest and laziest way to add elastic to a garment. It is also the fastest way to get the job done.
There are 5 steps to this process and the first one is to prepare the garment you are planning on using the exposed elastic strip. If it is an old dress, etc. You will need to open up the old casing and remove the elastic strip. Then you should iron out the wrinkles etc.
The second step is to prepare the new elastic strip. Instead of using the normal 1” version that usually goes on, you should use the 1 1/2 to 3-inch version. Any color will do as long as it matches the garment.
Now you need to measure the waist of the person going to wear the garment. When you have that measurement subtract 3/4 of an inch and cut the elastic to that new measurement. Fold the elastic so that it is in half and the two cut edges line up. Sew the edges together with a 1 cm seam allowance. Fold the seam allowance and sew it to the rest of the elastic strip.
Step three has you dividing the elastic and waist into quarters. This helps sew the elastic into place and you should always start with the seams. Step four is to align the quarters of the elastic with the quarters of the fabric.
The next step is to sew the elastic strip to the fabric doing it slowly so that the elastic does not twist. Also stretch the elastic as you go so you get a tight, secure, comfortable fit.
How Much Elastic for Waistband
Since elastic stretches, you do not need a lot of elastic material when turning a regular waistband into one that has an elastic stretch to it. The first thing you need to do is measure the waist or the exact position the garment is going to sit.
Once you get that measurement figure, subtract 2 to 4 inches off the measurement and then cut your elastic to that new size. If you want a really tight fit, then you may have to subtract another 2 to 4 inches off the elastic. So 4 to 8 inches are removed from the original measurement.
How to Sew Elastic With a Sewing Machine
Sewing elastic with a sewing machine is not that difficult. That is because the sewing machine has the muscle to power through the elastic and get the job done quickly. The key to using a sewing machine to sew elastic is how you handle the fabric.
You need to make sure the elastic is flat and not twisted. Then as you sew, you use a zig-zag stitch while stretching the elastic to fit the garment size. Just take your time and you should be fine.
Sewing Elastic On a Shirt
How you sew elastic on to a shirt depends on the type of shirt you are using and where you want the elastic. But essentially the principles are the same. The following is for adding elastic to the waist of a T-shirt.
Measure the T-shirt waist size and cut the elastic to about 1 inch less than that measurement. Next, you will need to sew the ends of the elastic strip together and like always, use a zig-zag stitch for strength and elasticity.
Now pin the elastic to the shirt, and you are ready to start sewing. Make sure to stretch the elastic as you sew.
How to Sew Elastic Around Sleeves
One of the best ways to add elastic to a sleeve cuff is to make a casing. This may take a little more time initially, but it allows you to make alterations in the future. When the elastic wears out or stretches you can replace it without taking a lot of time.
If there is casing already, just cut a little slit and remove the old elastic. Then add a safety pin to the new piece and thread it through the casing till the elastic comes out. Sew the ends together and close up the slit.
How Can I Add Elastic to The Bottom of My Pants?
If you are looking to make knickers then you need to measure the pant leg length for both legs and mark where you want the pants to end. Then you cut to size leaving enough extra fabric to make the casing.
When this is done you follow the procedures for adding the elastic described in previous sections, The only difference is you want the elastic to be at a comfortable length plus a 1/2 inch.
Elastic Waistband on Pants
There are a variety of styles you can choose from when doing this sewing project. Which one you choose to use is up to your preference and the preference of the person you are making the elastic waistband for.
Elastic waistbands are a good option because they eliminate the use of zippers and buttons. This is a good thing as when people get injured or older it is hard to manipulate those items.
A good elastic waistband on pants for elderly men helps them retain some of their independence and keeps their self-esteem at higher levels.
Some Final Words
Sewing elastic onto waistbands, shirt cuffs and other fabric locations is not that difficult. The trick is learning how to stretch the elastic as you sew. Getting this technique down correctly is vital if you want to have the end result look really good.
The methods are basically the same no matter the garment or the location of the elastic strip. Just make a good casing and you should be fine. Of course, you do have the option of sewing the elastic directly to the fabric but it is more time consuming and a little bit more difficult to do.
Either way, you should end up with a good looking garment when you are done.
