the blue blog archives: sew behind

First it was the vacation, then the blog crash and rebuild. I am so behind on my sewing projects! I should have that first pair of kwikies done by now and what's the hold up on groovy anyway? I thought about this (instead of just sewing) and realized that both of these projects are stuck at the waistband. So why am I hung up on the elastic casing? I don't really think that it's going to be that hard, but clearly I'm avoiding it.

Please just tell me it's a breeze and I should get over it. I need the kick in the behind!

posted by alison at 11:29 pm | in sew blue sundays

Comments

There are a couple of different ways of doing elastic waistbands. The simple way is to just stitch the waistband to the top of the pants, turn it over to the inside and stitch along the edge, leaving an inch or two open to insert the elastic. Put a big safety pin through the end of your elastic and work in through the casing. Pin the other end to the pants. When the end you're inserting is all the way around, put the two ends together, overlapping them an inch or so and stitch through them. I usually stitch an X inside a box. Then work it back into the casing and stitch down the opening. Viola! Done.

Some patterns can make a big production of this, though and if the elastic doesn't go all the way around the waist, it can be a little trickier.

Posted by: Charlotte at April 24, 2003 12:07 AM

it's a breeze!! the hardest part is putting the safety pin on and sliding the elastic through! otherwise no problem!! (of course i have no problem sewing on elastic waistbands -- because i hate them and could never stand to wear one and always have to make a real one so the ones i can't wear are so easy for me to do! there's some freud for ya)

Posted by: carolyn at April 24, 2003 7:11 AM

Like everyone has said, putting in a waistband using the basic method is really easy. Go get 'em!

The method I emailed you before is maybe a little more difficult. I'm not sure. I'm so used to doing it now that I've lost perspective. I like it better, because
a) you don't have to thread the elastic through the casing (annoying)
b) the casing fits more snugly around the elastic, giving it a flatter, more RTW look (if you sew the casing first and it is exactly the same size as the elastic, it will be almost impossible to thread through)
c) I find it easier to fit carefully, because I can try the pants on with the elastic pinned into place, and then sew the fabric down around the elastic.

If you want to try this method, maybe you should sew a sample first. Or just go for it; worst case you'll have to rip the seam out. The only real error you can make is to sew through the elastic rather than right next to it.

Posted by: eli at April 24, 2003 10:28 AM

Any tips for doing a partial elastic waistband or elastic inserts. Using a regular pattern, what adjustments, lengths of elastic etc....
I'm very curious. I love my pants to fit and hang smoothly, but if I sneeze I can break the hook and eye or button, so I would like a little more give withouth the puffiness of full elastic....

Posted by: rosebud at August 3, 2003 3:36 PM