How to Sew an Elastic Waistband

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

Among the very first embroidery abilities you need to discover is exactly how to create a casing for elastic as well as drawstrings. It is a common technique made use of for waists. You additionally sometimes see housings on sleeves as well as bags. However don’t fret, it’s not as well hard. Allow me reveal to you just how it’s done.

I lately utilized this technique for sewing a elastic waistband on pajama pants for my kids. If you’re seeking an easy pajama pants pattern to try this skill, I recommend the one from Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop. It’s extremely simple!

Actions for Creating a Casing

Action 1: Finish the Raw Edge of Your Fabric

You will certainly be folding your textile down, so zigzag or serge the side of your waist hem first. Conversely, you can fold up the edge of your material over twice to make sure that your joint is not subjected. To do this, turn it 1/2 inches now and also sew along the edge.

Action 2: Fold and also Pin Your Waist Hem

Fold your textile down (wrong sides with each other) at the midsection to make sure that it is regarding 1/2-inch bigger than your elastic For instance, if you are utilizing 1-inch elastic, your layer ought to be 1.5 inches. This provides you area for a little seam allowance and area enough to insert your elastic Pin the layer in the area about every 2 inches. Press, if desired. A tiny seam gauge is a useful tool for finishing this step.

Action 3: Sew Along all-time low of the Fold, Leaving a Gap

Sew near to the edge of your folded textile around all-time low of your layer. Thoroughly pick where you begin to stitch since you need to leave a 2-inch opening someplace along this seam. I such as to do it in the back, but you can select to have your opening anywhere. The opening is where you will put your elastic right into the housing later. The opening will certainly be closed at a later step.

Actions for Inserting Elastic right into Your Casing

Action 1: Cut Your Elastic to Fit

Maintain in mind that some elastic stretches greater than others. Therefore, the best method to determine just how much elastic to utilize for a waistband is to wrap the uncut elastic around your waistline (or the individual you’re making the garment for) and extend it up until it is comfy. Then, add one inch as well as cut the elastic The added inch gives you room to develop a seam. If you’re using a pattern, it typically suggests what sort of elastic to use as well as just how much.

Action 2: Attach a Safety Pin to One End of Your Elastic

I like to use a large safety and security pin for this action to ensure that it’s very easy to feel, but any size will certainly do.

Action 3: Feed Your Elastic Through the Casing

Make use of the safety and security pin as a guide for inserting the elastic right into your casing. As you feed the elastic though, hold the various other end of your elastic so you don’t lose it inside your housing. If you’re worried, you can utilize another safety pin to connect completion of your elastic to your material so it won’t slide inside your case.

Tip 4: Perform Quality Checks

After you’ve placed the elastic all the means through your case, see to it that no twisting has actually taken place. You want your elastic to lay flat when you’re done, as well as it’s less complicated to remedy troubles currently.

Keep in mind: Twisted elastic is frustrating. To assist avoid it, use non-roll elastic If you’re having issues with turning after your housing is completed, you can try sewing your elastic to your fabric at the side seams with a stitch in the ditch technique. Alternatively, you can include topstitching along the leading fold of your case after you have inserted your elastic to ensure that there is much less space for your elastic to move about.

Step 5: Join the Ends of Your Elastic Together

Overlap your elastic by one inch as well as sew 2 or three rows of zigzag stitches to protect the ends of your elastic with each other. Be sure to backstitch at the start and also end of your zigzags.

Step 6: Sew Your Casing Shut

After your elastic is put right, fold up the remaining section of your casing down and sew it closed along the hemline. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitch.