Elastic bands are versatile and give your home-made garments the perfect fit. In this article on how to sew elastic band, we will show you step by step how to successfully sew elastic into various projects. Whether you are a sewing beginner or an experienced seamstress, we promise that sewing with elastic band is not as complicated as it may seem at first glance.
Contents “How to sew elastic band”:
1. How to sew a hairband with elastic band
2. How to sew elastic band on pants
3. How to sew elastic band on skirts (incl. cord stoppers)
4. How to sew elastic band on fabric (without topstitching)
1. How to sew a hairband with elastic band
Below we explain how you can easily sew a hairband with elastic band. How to sew a scrunchie hair band with elastic is explained in just four simple steps:
! If you are not sure about the measurements of the fabric, you can easily download our free scrunchie sewing pattern.
Scrunchie preparation
Mark a seam allowance of 1cm (7/16in) along the long edge. Then fold the fabric in half so that the longer edges meet and pin both layers together.
How to sew a scrunchie
Close the pinned section with a straight backstitch – either by hand or with a sewing machine.
Attach elastic band
Turn the fabric through the open edge to the right side. Make sure that the corners are well formed. When pulling the elastic through, attach the safety pin to the end and thread it through the drawstring. Make sure that the other end of the elastic cord does not get lost. Leave both ends sticking out on either side of the tunnel and tie them together several times to create a secure connection.
Close opening
Fold the seam allowances of the open short side over – exactly 1cm (7/16in) inwards. Pin the short section in place with pins and close it all the way around with a slip stitch. But watch out! Do not pierce to the other side! Leave the cavity in the scrunchie and only connect the two outer sides. Spread the resulting gathers all around the elastic band – and do so evenly.
You can find detailed scrunchie video sewing instructions for sewing with elastic on our YouTube sewing channel.
2. How to sew elastic band on pants
Pants with an elastic waistband are some of the most comfortable pants you can wear. Follow these five steps to sew elastic into pants.
! By the way, The Leslie Pants sewing pattern, for example, is perfect for practicing!
Sew pants
Start sewing your pants. Make sure that all the sections of the trouser legs are sewn together before you start attaching the elastic waistband.
Sew waist band
Fold the waistband right sides together in the middle of the long side and pin the short side. Now close this section with the sewing machine. Next, press the seam allowance flat and then press them apart. Then fold the waistband in half along the short side and iron it over the folded edge.
Close elastic band
Close the elastic band with a zigzag stitch (width 3.5 and stitch length 1.4). Sew back and forth a few times so that the seam holds securely.
Sew elastic waist band
Place the elastic band inside the folded waistband. Stick a pin through the elastic band and both layers of the waistband at the center back. Stretch the elastic and insert pins at regular intervals to secure the elastic and distribute the fabric evenly over the elastic.
Sew on the elastic band
Now stitch across all three layers of the cuff to the width of a presser foot when stretched. Important! Start in the back at the waist band seam. Then sew the next seam presser foot wide parallel to the seam already made. Repeat this step two more times to create three parallel seams. Depending on the width of your waistband, you may need more or fewer seams.
Sew elastic band on pants
Pin the waistband to the trousers, right sides together, so that all open edges are on top of each other. Make sure that the seam of the waistband meets the center back of the trousers. When stretched, insert pins at regular intervals to secure the waistband to the trousers. Then sew the waistband to the trousers when stretched.
You can find detailed elastic waistband video sewing instructions for a pair of trousers on our YouTube sewing channel from minute 1:07:15.
3. How to sew elastic band on skirts (incl. cord stoppers)
Next, we’ll show you how to sew an elastic band with cord stoppers. You don’t need a wide elastic band for this, but a robust but narrow elastic cord.
! If you are looking for a pattern for a skirt with elastic, we recommend the Cargo Skirt sewing pattern.
Sew a skirt
Before sewing the waistband with elastic, first make the entire skirt. It is important that all the skirt pieces are joined together, because only then can you successfully attach your waistband with elastic.
Sew waist band
Pin the short sections of the waistband together, right sides facing. Close the section with the sewing machine.
Sew waist band to skirt
Place the waistband right sides together around the top edge of the skirt and pin all the way around. Then sew this section together.
Make buttonholes for elastic band
Embroider a buttonhole at the designated position, which is usually on either side of the center front. Only sew through the later outer layer of the waistband.
Close waistband
Fold the open edge of the cuff inwards by 1cm (7/16in). Then pin the folded edge so that it neatly covers the straight waistband seam. Tip: You can use cross needles here or baste the section. Now sew close to the edge on the right side of the waistband, skilfully joining the inside folded edge with
Elasticated drawstring with cord stoppers
Pass the elastic as a loop through the first cord stopper. Then thread the open ends of the elastic band onto a safety pin.
Pull the elastic band into the waistband
Insert the safety pin through the buttonhole of the waistband and pull it through the tunnel until it emerges on the other side.
Finishing the elastic band
Attach the second cord stopper cleverly to an open end of the elastic band by making a loop. Separate the two open ends from the safety pin and knot them firmly together several times. Then guide the ends into the tunnel and hide them cleverly.
You can find a video tutorial on sewing elastic with cord stoppers here from minute 23:21.
4. How to sew elastic band on fabric (without topstitching)
Finally, we would like to show you how to sew in an elastic band without topstitching it.
! You can also find this technique in blouse sewing patterns or summer dress sewing patterns such as the Judy Blouse or the Evie Dress.
Prepare fabric
Sew the part into which you want to incorporate the elastic, but without processing the edge where the elastic is to be sewn in. If the pattern does not include an elastic band, lengthen the sewing pattern by the width of your elastic band. Double the edge into which you want to sew an elastic band. Make sure that the folded section is 1cm (7/16in) wider than your elastic band.
Fold over the fabric edge
Press 1cm (7/16in) of the folded edge over again. Stitch the newly created edge. Important! Finish the seam approx. 5 to 6cm (approx. 2in) before you reach the beginning again.
Sew on the elastic band
Insert a safety pin into the elastic band and thread it through the tunnel until it comes out on the other side of the opening. Make sure that the other end of the elastic band always remains outside and that the elastic band is always smooth and untwisted in the tunnel.
Positioning the elastic band
Distribute the extra width of the fabric evenly over the elastic band. Close the short sides of the elastic that look out of the opening, overlapping with a zig-zag stitch with a stitch width of 4.5 and a stitch length of 1.6. Place both ends of the elastic band on top of each other so that they overlap for approx. 2cm (3/4in) and sew back and forth several times to ensure a secure connection.
Close opening
Close the opening of the tunnel with a straight stitch.
You can find a video tutorial on sewing elastic here from minute 23:46.
Sewing with elastic made easy!
With these detailed instructions, we would like to encourage you to explore the versatile world of elastic band sewing. Whether it’s a hairband, trousers, skirt or individual project – with a little practice and our detailed instructions, anyone can sew elastic. Elastic creativity knows no bounds, so grab your sewing machine and let your imagination run wild. Have fun sewing!
