Sewing - elastic waistband question?
I found this and it not only tells you how to measure but it shows how to put the elastic into the waistband. http://sewing.about.com/library/sewnews/...
How do you resize an elastic waistband that is already sewn into the pants?
Probably not. One of the common ways to sew an elastic waistband on something like this is to serge the elastic to the cut edge of the waistband, then roll the fabric over the elastic and stitch it down. Keeps the elastic from twisting in the casing. If, however, you can feel the elastic is completely loose, top and bottom, in the casing, then you can break the stitching at the join of the waistband and splice in a little more elastic, then restitch the casing.
What kind of elastic is best for sewing swimwear?
My spouse and I swim regularly (an hour at the Y every Saturday), so we go through lots of swimwear. As I am a tailor, I started making our own swimwear many years ago. I have always used clear elastic, 3/8" wide, for the swimwear's edges. (I use drawstring elastic for the waistband of my trunks.) The fabric always loses its elasticity long before the elastic. (Edit: I apply the elastic with the zig zag stitch on my 35-year old Singer.)In the U.S., you can find clear elastic at chain crafts stores such as Jo-Ann Fabrics and such.
How do I disable the elastic waistband?
I have a few pairs of shorts that I use for climbing, hiking, camping, etc... unfortunately they have two strips of elastic (one on each side...) that is sewn into the waistband. I tried cutting a slit and cutting it in half, but since it is sewn all the way around (I didn't realize that at first) it doesn't make a difference. The elastic eventually wears out after a year or so, but I have several new pairs. Does anyone know of any chemicals that won't ruin the fabric, but could cause the elastic to be disabled?
Can you sew over elastic?
Yes you can sew over electric. I use a zig zag stitch. If you sew over the elastic without stretching it or using a stitch that gives, your elastic will not stretch or your thread will break.
How do you "unscrunch" the elastic waistband around shorts after washing them??
I think what you have is elastic that is inside a cloth tube, the tube either knit into the shorts or the top edge folded over. Since the elastic is not sewn down, it scrunches up when you wash it. First I would see if I could flatten out the elastic, starting in one spot and working my way around. This should work if the elastic is basically flat, but twisted. You may need to get them wet again to make the elastic dry flat. If the elastic has twisted itself into a long tube, so that it feels more like a rope, you probably can't get it flat. If you decide that you cannot flatten the elastic, you can replace it. First figure out if the elastic is attached anywhere or is it just loose in its casing. If it is completely loose, gently open the casing at a seam and pull the elastic, so you have a loop sticking out. Cut the loop. Sew one end of your new elastic to one end of the old elastic. (Try to buy new elastic that is guaranteed not to curl.) Pull the other end of the old elastic until you have pulled the new elastic through. Cut the old elastic off of the new elastic and sew the two ends of the new elastic together. Repair the seam you opened. If the old elastic is sewn down at the seam, you can either cut into the waistband on both sides of the seam or gently cut the seam open to try to free the elastic. You will probably not be able to pull the new elastic through, but will have to thread it. You do this by fastening a safety pin to one end of the new elastic and threading it through the casing until it comes out at the other end. Then you sew the two ends together. I used to do this kind of thing all the time, but clothing has gotten cheaper and I am not as poor as I used to be, so I have not done it in a while. I would still do it for a favorite item.
I have a skirt with a sewn-in elastic waist, 1 inch too tight. Any way to loosen the elastic?
The fabric may be machine washable but elastics, it doesn't matter what kind, are not. Elastics can stretch out and loose their elasticity from being in the wash. So you can either do this. When you wash it, do it as normal, then put it in the dryer on the lowest heat. After it's try put it on a hanger and stretch the waist band a little. I don't recommend this though. You said the waist is too tight by an inch, and if you have the elastic stretched all the way out while you're wearing it, then it's not the elastic. You need a bigger skirt. If you know how to do a little sewing you can do this yourself. Take a seamripper and take out a few of the stitches from the waist band where a side or back seam are. Then let out the side seams of the skirt itself by 1/8" on the two side seams and the back side seam if there is one, then stitch the elastic back on while stretching it because elastics are pulled as they are sewn on to a garment. With 1/8" in 3 different areas this will give you as much as 3/4" extra, but your seam allowances will be tiny. Or you can take it to a seamstress/tailor or the dry cleaners and they can do it for you.
How do apparel manufacturers sew elastic around waistbands? Is there a specific machine that makes this easier?
Yes there is a proper elastic sewing machine that does the job. Depending upon weather it's a 4 needle or 6 needle machine, the quality varies. The elastic is cut into required sizes and the machine sews the elastic to the fabric.
How do you HAND sew elastic together?
I'm trying to make a tutu. I need to sew the elastic ends together. I know how to do it on a sewing machine, but it's currently broken. I've tried a lot of stuff, but the knot always comes through the elastic. I've looked through youtube.com and googled it. I'm probably just not looking right. Any help?
How do you straighten out an elastic waistband that's become twisted inside the fabric?
In the BACK, of the item, on the INSIDE, make a VERTICAL cut, carefully, so as not to cut through the elastic (yet). Pull out a little section of the elastic, applying a large safety pin on each side. One pin goes through the fabric, AND through the elastic, and the other is for the elastic ONLY. Cut in the middle of the two safety pins.The safety pin which holds the fabric and elastic together, is now stationary, and the other large safety pin can be easily held, which can then use to twist the elastic, or easily fed back through the item, if it is too troublesome. pull as much of this side of the elastic as possible (while the other safety pin stays in place), and you can fix it this way. After it is corrected, you can hand sew the two pieces of elastic BACK together, and they will suck themselves back into the waist band. If necessary, you can REPLACE the elastic with a wider, or firmer elastic the same way. Good luck!