Sewing Elastic?
- Thread starter SeanB13
- Start date
MykiiAmore
Well-Known Member
Nothing worse than a premature rubber 
Sorry, had to say it.
Are you on about an elastic band or elasticated fabric?
I think through a rubber band would weaken it.
Sorry, had to say it.
Are you on about an elastic band or elasticated fabric?
I think through a rubber band would weaken it.
KristinaLeigh
Well-Known Member
If you mean the white or black elastic that is made to go in clothing, then no. It is made to been sewn through.
Shylaah
Sr Member
Sewing through elastic can make it go wonky, the stronger the elastic, the wonkier it will get. And, of course, sewing through the rubber is going to weaken it, the stronger the elastic the more rubber that is in it and the more damage sewing through it will do.
So it's better not to sew through elastic, except the kinds made to be sewn through like pajama elastic and sports wear elastic where there are lines left without rubber woven in them to sew through.
Other elastics should have a casing sewn to pass them through, or in the case of narrow elastic or elastic cord, you can zig-zag OVER them to form a thread casing.
Shylaah
So it's better not to sew through elastic, except the kinds made to be sewn through like pajama elastic and sports wear elastic where there are lines left without rubber woven in them to sew through.
Other elastics should have a casing sewn to pass them through, or in the case of narrow elastic or elastic cord, you can zig-zag OVER them to form a thread casing.
Shylaah
Darth Mule
Sr Member
That particular elastic if fine to sew through. Shylah is partially correct in the fact that a high rubber elastic such as clear elastic, is not meant to be sewn through and will weaken if punctured. However, The fabric covered elastics, such as the one you pictured, are made to be sewing friendly. The proof of this, if you look at some commercially made pajamas and workout pants, you will see that they have sewn channels around the entire waistband, through the elastic.
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Shylaah
Sr Member
Knitted elastic is meant for lightweight fabrics and actually can be sewn through rather successfully as the needle will slip around the knitted strands better than through tighter braided or woven strands.
Elastic is made of little rubber strands that are wrapped in threads, then those wrapped strands are either braided, woven or knitted together. Each method gives different amounts of stretch, braided the tightest, knitted the most stretchy.
If you sew through the elastic, the needle is naturally going to nick and/or cut some of the rubber strands. If you sew through the elastic putting it in the waistband of a pair of pants, will the elastic disintegrate and your pants fall off the very next day--no...........but if it's something made for the long haul, it will make the elastic give way sooner than it would if it weren't sewn through.
It depends on what and where and how you're using the elastic. If it's on an outer garment where it's effects will be seen, I wouldn't sew through the elastic itself, knitted or woven. Plus a casing makes for a neater finished look and you can get exactly the amount of stretch you need or want by adjusting the length of elastic in the casing.
If you stitch it down, you're stuck with what ever you get and sewing though it will somewhat alter the amount of stretch--and you certainly don't want to rip it out and sew through it AGAIN. Also, if this is for the long haul, should the elastic later need to be loosened, or tightened, or replaced, it's much easier to do via a casing than ripping out the stitching, replacing and re-sewing the elastic.
If you want to say what it is you're making, I can give you some more specific ideas........if you don't want to say 'outlout', PM me.......
Shylaah
Elastic is made of little rubber strands that are wrapped in threads, then those wrapped strands are either braided, woven or knitted together. Each method gives different amounts of stretch, braided the tightest, knitted the most stretchy.
If you sew through the elastic, the needle is naturally going to nick and/or cut some of the rubber strands. If you sew through the elastic putting it in the waistband of a pair of pants, will the elastic disintegrate and your pants fall off the very next day--no...........but if it's something made for the long haul, it will make the elastic give way sooner than it would if it weren't sewn through.
It depends on what and where and how you're using the elastic. If it's on an outer garment where it's effects will be seen, I wouldn't sew through the elastic itself, knitted or woven. Plus a casing makes for a neater finished look and you can get exactly the amount of stretch you need or want by adjusting the length of elastic in the casing.
If you stitch it down, you're stuck with what ever you get and sewing though it will somewhat alter the amount of stretch--and you certainly don't want to rip it out and sew through it AGAIN. Also, if this is for the long haul, should the elastic later need to be loosened, or tightened, or replaced, it's much easier to do via a casing than ripping out the stitching, replacing and re-sewing the elastic.
If you want to say what it is you're making, I can give you some more specific ideas........if you don't want to say 'outlout', PM me.......
Shylaah
Shylaah
Sr Member
So those are pretty utilitarian. I would get some sport elastic. It's the kind of elastic they use on pajamas and sports wear that makes those rows of shirring. It has rows left without elastic for you to sew through. And it has a softness to it that should work well for Puttees, not shrink and wad up and turn into a tourniquet! :lol
Shylaah
Shylaah
Sr Member
Everyone has their own way of doing things, and right/wrong, better/worse are a lot of times just opinions. I'm saying I would not sew through elastic not designed to be sewn through. If I were going to use the knitted elastic like you already have on hand, I would get a ballpoint needle to sew it on with to minimize nicking and distorting. It will work, but yes, I personally would prefer the sport elastic. But experience is the best teacher--do your own experimenting and see what you think will work best for you and your situation.
Shylaah
Shylaah
I'm just trying to figure out all my options and as usual, over thinking it and asking too many questions.
I haven't bought any yet. Do you know if the Sport Elastic comes in different widths and colors, black preferably and is this something I can pick-up at Joanns?
Just to clarify, with the Sport Elastic, instead of running a single, vertical stitch, I would stitch two horizontal stitches along the rows indicated by the two arrows in the picture you posted above? Correct?
Shylaah
Sr Member
Yeah, I understand that -- tend to do that myself.....
Joann's website only has the 1 1/2 and 1 1/4 white sport elastic. I don't know if they would have more of a selection in store or not.
If the vertical stitching to hold the elastic in place at each end is the sewing through elastic you were talking about, well then I've been a blubbering for nothing, because, yeah, sure you have to sew it to anchor it or sew it together if you were doing a waistband.......
When you said, "sewing up through the middle of an elastic band", I thought you meant horizontally (yes, that would be through the two lines indicated by the arrows). So now I'm the one confused. Would the elastic go inside, be encased?
Shylaah
Joann's website only has the 1 1/2 and 1 1/4 white sport elastic. I don't know if they would have more of a selection in store or not.
If the vertical stitching to hold the elastic in place at each end is the sewing through elastic you were talking about, well then I've been a blubbering for nothing, because, yeah, sure you have to sew it to anchor it or sew it together if you were doing a waistband.......
When you said, "sewing up through the middle of an elastic band", I thought you meant horizontally (yes, that would be through the two lines indicated by the arrows). So now I'm the one confused. Would the elastic go inside, be encased?
Shylaah
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Shylaah
Sr Member
Okay, before I drown in my own buffoonery.....?!?! :lol
Yeah, if it's to be just elastic, it'll work great to just sew it like in your top illustration across the elastic in the pant leg seam......
Simple, easy to remember :lol
Now if only I could go back to this afternoon when the simple question was asked.......................
Shylaah
Yeah, if it's to be just elastic, it'll work great to just sew it like in your top illustration across the elastic in the pant leg seam......
Simple, easy to remember :lol
Now if only I could go back to this afternoon when the simple question was asked.......................
Shylaah
Hahaha, no worries, Shylaah.
We may have taken the long way around, but we evetually got there and it taught me about Sport Elastic, its applications, its advantages and how to properly use it, something I didn't know before you took me on your tour of the scenic route.
Darth Mule
Sr Member
Looking at my previous post it looks like I was saying Shylaah was wrong (which he/she is not). Didn't mean to come out that way. I only meant to elaborate on the info you provided.
Great advice though. Ya'll covered alot of ground since I chimed in yesterday. I do think that the elastic pictured can be sewn safely lengthwise (preferably with a ball point, yes) due to its open weave. Most elastics are weakened to a point anyway when you sew the ends together to form a loop. I tend to do this on a zig-zag, as running a straight stitch can perforate the elastic. Especially on a short stitch length.
Now referring to your drawing SeanB...
Your top drawing is the simplest route to take for this. You're basically just creating a strap that is anchored at one point.
The sport elastic application would be something where you would sew the loop to the tightness you want, then stretch it to fit the pant leg, and stitch the trenches while stretched. That way, when it relaxes, it makes those little gathers like you see on the waistband of those ugly workout pants from the 80s and 90s. Make sense?
Great advice though. Ya'll covered alot of ground since I chimed in yesterday. I do think that the elastic pictured can be sewn safely lengthwise (preferably with a ball point, yes) due to its open weave. Most elastics are weakened to a point anyway when you sew the ends together to form a loop. I tend to do this on a zig-zag, as running a straight stitch can perforate the elastic. Especially on a short stitch length.
Now referring to your drawing SeanB...
Your top drawing is the simplest route to take for this. You're basically just creating a strap that is anchored at one point.
The sport elastic application would be something where you would sew the loop to the tightness you want, then stretch it to fit the pant leg, and stitch the trenches while stretched. That way, when it relaxes, it makes those little gathers like you see on the waistband of those ugly workout pants from the 80s and 90s. Make sense?
Yea, it makes perfect sense. Thanks for all the help, Chris, I really appreciate it.
