Q&A
By Marla Stefanelli
How do I determine the length of elastic needed for a waistband?
Sharon J.,
e-mail
If you're inserting the elastic into a casing, you don't need a formula to estimate the length. Simply cut the elastic 1" longer than your waist measurement and thread it through the casing. Pin the elastic ends together, try on the pants, and adjust the elastic for a comfortable fit. Overlap the elastic ends, and pin the layers together; remove the pants. Trim any excess elastic, leaving a 1/2" overlap, and stitch to secure. Subtract the amount of elastic you trimmed from the original length and note the result for future waistbands.
Elastic loses some of its stretch and recoverability when topstitched to a waistband. Keep in mind that different elastics have different amounts of give, with narrower elastics having more stretch than wider ones. Use elastic at least 1 1/2" wide for waistbands. Measure your waist and cut a length 4" to 6" (depending on the desired fit) shorter than your waist measurement. Overlap the ends 1/2", and stitch the elastic into a circle. Quarter-mark the circle and the waistband. Pin the elastic to the waistband, matching the quarter marks. Topstitch the elastic to the waistband, stretching it to fit between the pins as you sew. Adjust the elastic cut length for future waistbands depending on the resulting fit.
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