How to sew elastic bands to clothing fabric

Elastic bands are a practical and necessary complement to a wide range of garment styles. Making waistbands, cuffs, or even masks with elastic bands can be made more comfortable and secure by using the right sewing technique.

But sewing elastic isn’t always an easy task. Due to its elastic nature, certain techniques must be used to ensure a smooth and secure attachment. If the elastic is not sewn correctly, it may bunch up or come loose, detracting from the garment’s appearance and functionality.

We’ll walk you through the easy steps of sewing elastic bands to various kinds of fabric in this article. You’ll find useful advice to help your sewing projects turn out well, regardless of experience level.

Step Description
1 Measure the length of elastic needed and cut it.
2 Pin the elastic to the fabric, stretching it evenly.
3 Sew the elastic to the fabric using a zigzag stitch.
4 Backstitch at the beginning and end for secure hold.
5 Trim any excess thread and check the stretch.

Where elastic bands are used

Sewing clothes and even bed linens frequently involves the use of elastic bands.

For ease of use, they are frequently used to treat the edges of sheets and mattress pads. But there are lots of uses for elastic bands with clothing.

  • supporting the waistband of clothes – skirts, trousers, shorts, some types of dresses;
  • tightening the waist on tops, dresses, blouses and sundresses;
  • narrowing the sleeves and bottom of the legs on trousers, blouses, shirts;
  • sewing underwear and swimwear.

Additionally, to add convenience or a more elegant look to any article of clothing, you can sew an elastic band onto it. Sewing a regular elastic band on the neck, under the chest, shoulders, sleeves, and belt is advised. In this instance, the clothing will have finer reliefs and a beautifully fitted silhouette.

Simple ways of sewing in elastic bands

Using basic stitches is one method of sewing elastic bands into fabric. Either a hand stitch or a sewing machine can be used to create such a seam. In the latter instance, zigzag stitching is the most dependable method.

With a machine

  1. Base stitch. This can be done even on the most ordinary machines. Before sewing an elastic band to the fabric on a machine, you must first mark a line on it along which the sewing will take place.
  2. Zigzag. A very convenient method. You need to attach a circular stretch tape to the fabric with the same length and press it tightly with the machine foot. Before work, you need to set the zigzag size regulator to the maximum width.
  3. Drawstring or drawstring. Additionally, you need to prepare a separate strip of fabric so that it is slightly wider than the elastic band, and its length reaches the length of the section of fabric to which it will be sewn.
  4. Spool or bobbin. In this case, they do not sew the elastic band itself, but use special stretchy threads that are threaded into the machine along with regular threads.

Manual method

The elastic band can be manually sewn on using a zigzag stitch in addition to a standard straight stitch. To ensure uniform sewing throughout, divide the fabric’s length into multiple equal sections first. Next, apply the round elastic band, pull it out over the whole working length, and fasten it in the spots that were previously marked. You won’t have to redo the work multiple times if you use this method, which will greatly simplify it.

Basic rules for sewing on elastic bands

There are guidelines specific to each method because there are numerous ways to sew elastic into fabric.

Sewing elastic threads into a spool

As was previously mentioned, a machine and elastic threads are used in this method. When under heavy tension, the completed piece will not tear and will stretch nicely. This technique works well with stretchy and delicate fabrics like satin, knits, and silk. However, heavy cotton or denim are probably not appropriate.

Stretchy threads must be tucked into a spool before sewing, and the other front thread should be regular thread. It is preferable to wind the fabric in multiple sections independently when sewing with a basic straight stitch. In this manner, the final product will have a consistent, symmetrical shape and won’t stretch in one area and gather in folds in another.

Tacking elastic bands tightly

This technique is applied to intricately sewn clothing with lots of details, folds, and assemblies. Mark the location of the elastic’s sewing in advance, such as the waist or leg. Next, separate the tape into two sections; the first will be sewn in at the front and the second at the back. At the conclusion of the work, both ends are discretely and carefully fastened to one another at the sides. You can choose how much of the elastic to pull when sewing.

Compression ratio of the elastic

The thread’s compression ratio should be taken into account, particularly when gathering material on a large piece of fabric. This technique is commonly employed for crafting belts and skirt straps that go with pants.

Take a piece of cloth for testing first in order to determine the elastic’s compression ratio. Next, stitch to the end, rotate the piece 90 degrees, and use the machine to stitch a row once more. The fabric needs to be stretched while being held in place with your hand during sewing. Next, gauge the length and the resultant stitches. After that, you can adjust the line’s width if necessary.

Gathering on an elastic band

Wearing garments with multiple layers or dense materials should be gathered onto an elastic band. To put it simply, it is sewn to an elastic band used for regular underwear. Its width should not be less than 5 millimeters in order for thick fabric to be tightened by it. Sewn elastic bands are made up of multiple parallel rows.

You must pull the elastic band’s edge from below while positioning it on the incorrect side of the material. It must be sewn using a straight, regular machine stitch. When sewing multiple elastic bands together, it’s best to draw the lines that will connect them right away to avoid uneven and distorted results.

We sew the elastic band into the waistband of trousers or pants

  1. Take an elastic band at least 2 centimeters wide. To determine its exact length, you first need to wrap it around your waist and pull it to the desired girth.
  2. On the sewing machine, you need to set the "knitted seam" mode and set the interval on the scale to 3. Set the foot to zigzag.
  3. Connect the edges of the elastic band and stitch on the machine.

  1. Turn the trousers inside out and stitch along the edge of the belt with an elastic band. So that it is sewn evenly, you need to attach it to the belt with a pin in some places.
  2. Process all the edges so that the elastic band cannot come out of the seams. To do this, set the machine foot to the overcast mode and select the overlock stitch.
  3. At the very end, it is recommended to set the foot to the usual sewing method and stitch the elastic band from the bottom, retreating 1-2 centimeters from the edge.

How to sew an elastic band to a dress at the waist

  • Do not pierce the elastic band with sharp objects, as it can be damaged by deforming the rubber veins. That is why it is recommended to sew the tape not with a straight stitch, but with a zigzag stitch.
  • When sewing, you need to stretch the elastic evenly. This will subsequently affect the gathering of the fabric of the finished product. In some areas it will be stretched, and in others, on the contrary, have many folds and gather densely.

You must become familiar with the techniques before sewing the elastic into the dress at the waist. It can be sewn by hand, though it’s not very useful. Nonetheless, the sewing machine has various modes that you can use.

The elastic tape must first be measured by loosely pulling it around the waist. Next, split the waist region into four sections and mark the inside of the dress with a soap particle. Separate the tape itself as well. Sew the four marks to one another. You can now sew the remaining sections, tugging at the elastic and fabric.

It is worthwhile to divide the waist and elastic band circumference into eight parts rather than four if the work is done by hand.

A basic but necessary skill that can improve the fit and comfort of your clothes is sewing elastic bands onto the fabric. Whether you’re adding stretch to a sleeve or adjusting the waist of pants, mastering the proper techniques will help you achieve a tidy and secure finish. From selecting the appropriate kind of elastic to sewing it in place, this tutorial will take you step-by-step through the process so your clothes look great and stay put.

How to sew an elastic band to panties

Sewing an elastic band to panties is not so difficult, but it is worth noting that it can quickly stretch and lose its elasticity. In this case, it is necessary to adhere to certain actions. This method is suitable for sewing and repairing underwear not only for an adult, but also for a child. For sewing women"s underwear, it is better to use decorative openwork elastic bands. They need to be sewn from the front side due to decorative patterns. 5 millimeters should be left along the edge of the fabric. Fix the elastic band with safety pins to the fabric and sew with a stitch on the machine. Now you can cut off the edges of the material that peek out from behind the elastic band.

After that, you must set the sewing machine to zigzag mode. Should the device be multipurpose, you must select "elastic zigzag." The elastic needs to be sewn closer to the top seam line.

Elastic under the drawstring

A lot of needlewomen are curious about how to stretch fabric by sewing an elastic band to it. Nonetheless, the majority of people believe that using a zigzag stitch is the only most practical method for achieving this. A useful alternative is to place an elastic band beneath the drawstring. A strip of cloth sewn over an elastic band is called a drawstring. Depending on the material’s working area, it can be either small or large.

Before starting work, measure the required length of the elastic and the same amount of fabric. The material is stitched in the form of a “pipe”, then the end of the elastic band is pierced with a pin and passed through the drawstring. The edges are joined and processed. This method is well suited for sewing sportswear, children"s clothing, as well as products for pregnant women. The elastic band will not pull or rub the skin too much, and it will also be possible to avoid gathering of material and unnecessary folds. Therefore, with the help of a drawstring, you can sew clothes from dense and coarse fabrics, such as calico, cotton and jeans.

Clothes with a drawstring waist can be repaired without a button; pregnant women’s and children’s clothing is repaired in this way.

Using a hat elastic

It is advised to use a zigzag stitch to sew the hat elastic on the incorrect side of the garment. Stretching the elastic band using this method will prevent it from moving freely on the product itself.

A specific kind of foot is required for this method, so a standard sewing machine cannot be used. In the end, the line’s width ought to match the foot’s dimensions.

Adding comfort and better fit to your clothes can be achieved by sewing elastic bands onto the fabric with a handy skill. Gaining proficiency in this technique will enable you to make customized and adaptable sewing projects, be it hems, sleeves, or waistband adjustments.

Don’t forget to select the appropriate kind of fabric and elastic for your project. To guarantee a smooth, even finish, pay attention to the elastic’s tension and stretch while you sew. It is advisable to take your time and not rush the process, particularly when handling delicate or slick fabrics.

You’ll discover that sewing elastic bands becomes an easy and satisfying task with some practice. It gives you a lot of options when it comes to making or modifying apparel, enabling you to create items that are not only fashionable but also cozy and well-fitting.

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Maria Vlasova

Fabric researcher and collector. My passion is finding rare and unique materials that can inspire me to create something special. I travel a lot to find new fabrics and learn about the traditions of their production. On this site I share my discoveries and talk about how to choose and use fabrics in different areas of life.

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