Quality sewing projects require quality products and tools. If you have a project that needs elastic, either as a gathering tool or as a broad elastic waistband, handling the elastic right can do a lot to keep your project useful and attractive for years to come.

1. Tug As You Sew

If you’re stitching fabric to elastic, you’ll need to set a starting point with a needle through both fabric and elastic and tug as you sew. If your machine has a setting to rest the need in the down position, you’ll likely get a more even result.

It’s a good idea to set your endpoints and pin several gathering points along the path of your stitching. The confidence of knowing where the next pin is can help you create a more even line of stitching to gather the fabric on the elastic as you stitch.

2. Use a Ballpoint Needle

Many elastic bands include poly threads. The fabric you’re working with may include poly and the thread in your machine may be a blend. To make sure that nothing gets shredded in the process, use a smooth ball-point needle.

Make sure you also take your time. Tugging as you sew means stretching the fabric over the elastic, not tugging the combination of fabric and elastic through the machine. Pulling too hard will break your sewing thread at the needle. It can even impact the timing of your machine and lead to binding and sticking.

3. Use a Zig-Zag Stitch

A zig-zag stitch can do a lot to hold your elastic flat against the fabric you’ve stitched it to. It’s also a more flexible stitch that takes more time to put in; it’s hard to rush when you zig-zag.

As you tug fabric to elastic using a zig-zag stitch, do your best to keep the elastic flat. Work in small bits of stitching, rather than trying to create a long run.

4. Make Sure Your Elastic is Wide Enough

Hearty fabric needs a hearty elastic. If you want your elastic waistband to serve a structural purpose, such as the visible waist of a garment, don’t buy skinny elastic. Carefully consider if the part of the garment you’re stitching will be visible before you decide on your elastic.

5. Prevent Damage to Your Elastic

Quality elastic includes rubber, which is biodegradable. That’s one of the reasons that elastic wears out over time. Use quality elastic and keep it stored out of sunlight to reduce the speed of rubber breakdown. When you launder garments that include a lot of elastic, do your best to keep the heat exposure low. Time in hot water and time in the dryer can speed up the breakdown of your elastic.

As elastic starts to break down, you’ll notice areas where the band itself will bubble or droop. Failing elastic will break down a strand at a time. As you notice this breakdown, get the elastic replaced.

Whether you’re stitching a skirt or building an outdoor canopy, handling the elastic right can create a clean look and offer the right results. Don’t rush elastic. Make sure you invest in the right width.

Published by: Khy Talara