Sewing with Elastic: Tips and Tricks for Perfect Results

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Whether you're crafting a comfy pair of lounge pants or a perfectly fitted waistband for your latest dress, braided elastic is a versatile and essential tool in your sewing kit. It offers the perfect combination of stretch and durability, making it ideal for garments that need to hold their shape. But, like any tool, using braided elastic effectively requires a few techniques to achieve the best results. Here are some of our top tips for sewing with braided elastic!

1. Choosing the Right Elastic
Braided elastic is recognizable by its ribbed texture and is perfect for casings but not ideal for direct sewing onto fabric. It’s best used in waistbands, necklines, sleeves, and leg openings. When selecting your elastic, consider its width and strength. A wider elastic offers more support, while a thinner elastic is great for lightweight fabrics and subtle gathers.

2. Pre-Stretch Before Sewing
Braided elastic can shrink slightly when stretched repeatedly. Before you start sewing, give your elastic a good stretch. This prevents your garment from becoming too tight after it’s washed or worn.

3. Create a Casing
For the best results with braided elastic, create a casing rather than sewing it directly onto the fabric. This allows the elastic to stretch evenly without getting stitched down and losing elasticity. To do this, fold over the fabric at the edge of your garment, creating a tunnel that’s slightly wider than your elastic. Sew along the edge, leaving a small gap to thread the elastic through.

4. Use a Safety Pin to Thread the Elastic
When threading the elastic through your casing, attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic. This helps guide it through the fabric tunnel without twisting. Once threaded, sew the ends of the elastic together securely and close the gap in your casing.

5. Avoid Overstretching
While sewing, it’s important not to overstretch the elastic. Doing so can cause uneven gathering and may damage the elastic fibers. Hold the elastic gently and evenly as you sew to maintain smooth, consistent gathers.

6. Secure the Ends
After you’ve sewn your elastic in place, secure the ends to prevent them from fraying or slipping inside the casing. Fold the ends over each other and stitch them together with a zigzag stitch. This will keep the elastic secure and avoid any uncomfortable lumps or bumps.

7. Choose the Right Stitch
When sewing the casing, use a straight stitch for a clean finish. If you’re sewing elastic directly to fabric, use a zigzag or stretch stitch to allow the fabric and elastic to stretch together without breaking the thread.

8. Topstitch for a Polished Look
If you want a more polished finish, you can topstitch over the elastic casing once the elastic is in place. This helps keep the elastic from twisting inside the casing and gives your garment a more professional look.

9. Test Before Sewing
Always test your sewing machine settings on a scrap piece of fabric and elastic before starting on your main project. This ensures that your stitch length, tension, and elastic strength are all compatible and prevents any surprises mid-project!

10. Don’t Forget the Iron
A quick press with a steam iron after sewing can help smooth out any puckering or uneven gathers. Be gentle and avoid pressing directly on the elastic, as high heat can damage it. Instead, press around the casing to give your finished piece a smooth appearance.

Braided elastic can be your best friend in creating comfortable, flexible garments, and with these tips, you'll achieve a polished, professional finish every time. Happy sewing!

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