There is no separate sewing machine for stitching elastics. That means you will have to use your home sewing machine to sew elastics. Now, you can be in need of some assistance for stitching elastics with a sewing machine.
And, you can take help from this guide about sewing elastics. Also, we will be providing you with several techniques.
Let’s get started!
First Technique: Encasing Elastic
This type of elastic is mostly seen on pajama pants.
Step 1
First, you need to get the edges surged of the target fabric.
Step 2
Then fold the fabric and sew the edges together.
Step 3
Once you are done stitching the edges together, open up the seams, and then fold to set elastic in them. You can simply put elastic inside it after folding the main fabric. You need to stitch it by the edges again to make a channel for the elastic to go.
Step 4
Before you start adding elastic to the fabric, you need to measure the size of the fabric and the elastic.
So, go ahead and measure the elastic according to the fabric. But, remember you need to take a shorter measurement of the elastic than the size of the main fabric piece.
Step 5
To put the fabric in the fabric channel, add a safety pin on one of the ends of the elastic. Then guide the elastic through the channel by holding on to the safety pin.
Step 6
Once the edges of the elastic meet, you need to stitch them. We have an excellent technique here for adding the elastic ends. You need to stitch it a box shape and stitch a cross on it. This way, it is less bulky when you wear it.
Step 7
This is an extra step about adding elastics. If you want to add several small pieces of elastic, you can choose the zigzag stitch by keeping the edges of the elastic face to face, not one above another. Anyhow, this is the way stitch encased elastic.
Second Technique: Zigzag Elastic
This one can be seen on laggings, simple skirts, also in pajamas. This is quite fast and easy to stitch.
Step 1
Fold the fabric and make a tube. You don’t have to make a channel in this technique.
Step 2
Now, the press opens the seam and cuts out the elastic in an appropriate length.
Step 3
Next, fold the elastic and make a mark. And then place the edge of the elastic on the edge of the seam.
Step 4
Now, mark the halfway point on the fabric and match up the halfway elastic to that point.
Step 5
Then, bring the rest of the elastic on the edge of the elastic, so it matches up with the seam. You will notice that the elastic will be smaller than the tube. And, that’s the way you want to stretch the elastic equally around the fabric case.
Step 6
Now, bring the case with elastic to the sewing machine. Make sure you are placing the elastic and the fabric by the middle of the presser foot. They should be aligned nicely.
Step 7
Stretch the elastic out, and zigzag stitch it around the fabric case. Next, fold the edge of the case with elastic and put a zigzag stitch all around it again.
Third Technique: Zigzag Elastic With Elastic Thread
This process is like the previous technique except that you can use an elastic thread here. You can start with the marking, and then you wind your bobbin with the elastic thread.
When you are winding it up, be careful about not stretching the elastic thread. You can find this sort of thread at any sewing store.
By the way, your upper thread should be the regular one. Now, fold the elastic under the fabric. You need to stitch on the top side of the fabric in this technique.
Also, set your stitch length from 2.50 to 3.00. Make sure to stretch the fabric while stitching so gets it sitting flat with the fabric. You can make swim wares with this kind of elastic stitching technique.
Fourth Technique: Elastic Shirring
You can apply this technique of elastic stitching for making puffy sleeves or necklines on a dress.
Step 1
Take the fabric and draw a few straight lines on the wrong side of the fabric.
Step 2
Cut out elastic that is shorter in size of the fabric piece. The shorter the elastic, the more shirring you have.
Step 3
Fold the elastic in half and mark it on the middle point. Then fold the fabric in half and mark the midpoints in all the lines.
Step 4
Unfold the fabric in full form and place the elastic on the midpoint of the fabric piece. The idea is here; you need to match up both ends of the elastic with the ends of the fabric.
Step 5
Now, you need to stretch and sew. When you are doing it with one elastic, then it’s gathering, and more than one elastic is called shirring.
Fifth Technique: Shirring With Elastic Thread
This process is again like the preceding one. The differences are you have the use of elastic thread. Also, when you are winding the bobbin, you have the stretch the elastic in this process, unlike the third technique.
When you will start stitching, you will see the fabric gathering automatically. Also, it will be harder to stitch after you finish the first line because the fabric will already be gathered. You need to get the fabric flatted out while doing the other lines after the first line.
You can use this technique on the skirt-tube top, also at the back of some dresses. This sort of elastic setup allows people to wear a particular dress regardless of their size.
Sixth Technique: Elastic Channel
Take a piece of fabric and mark it in the middle of the fabric by the width of the elastic. Then place the fabric onto another piece of fabric that has the same size.
Then sew through the lines. Then put the elastic into the channel of the fabric with the help of a safety pin.
Seventh Technique: Elastic Scrunch
In this technique, you need to cut a piece of fabric that doubles the width of the elastic that you want to incorporate. Also, it needs a double seam allowance.
To add elastic, place it by the side of the fabric without stretching it. Then, fold the fabric in half and stitch through the whole folder fabric piece.
Next, you will get a tube from the fabric piece. You need to take the inside out of the fabric tube. Then, roll the tube to set the seam in the center.
Now, add a safety pin on the edge of the tube that has the edge of the elastic. Then, feed it through the side that doesn’t have any elastic. If you do in practice, you will see the incredible result on your hand. You can decorate your garments in many ways by applying this technique of elastic.
To Warp-up
All the seven techniques of stitching elastics with your sewing machine will be helpful for you to know what type of style you want on your garments. Go ahead, and pick the style of the elastic you want.