Sewing Elastic Cord (6518 Views)

view all steps

•  
  1
•  
  2
•  
  3
•  
  4
•  
  5
•  
  6
•  
  7
•  
  8
•  
  9

• 

  Step 1 of 9

  You might find yourself sewing a lot of projects with elastic in them lately. You'll notice our latest patterns, the Tara top and the Celestina dress both require elastic. Instead of using the regular flat elastic tape, try using a round elastic cord. With this technique you use zigzag stitches to create a casing for the elastic cord, which is then easily pulled through to the desired length. It allows you to control the fabric gathers, and also prevents the garment from being too tight. (Trust me--- I made three versions of the Tara top before I got the elastic under the bust to fit well.)

• 

  Step 2 of 9

  This elastic cord is 1/8" (3mm) wide. It is available at most notion and supply shops.

• 

  Step 3 of 9

  To demonstrate, I am using a 17" (43 cm) long piece of fabric. I want to use elastic to make the fabric a finished length of 15" (38 cm). I stretched the elastic cord while holding the ends of the fabric piece underneath to determine how much elastic cord to cut off. (With this technique, however, you can actually cut off a longer length of cord since you will be pulling it through, so don't worry if you do not know how long to cut it, or if you are worried about it being too tight.)

• 

  Step 4 of 9

  Long, loose zigzag stitches are the best to create the casing around elastic cord. Set your machine to the zigzag stitch. Set the stitch width around 5 or 6 (wide) and the needle placement around 3.

• 

  Step 5 of 9

  Mark where the elastic is to go, on the wrong side of the fabric. (If sewing the Tara top, the elastic will be sewn into the seam allowances below the bust). Lay the elastic over the marking (in this case, I am following a line of the print on the fabric), with about 1/2" (1.2 cm) over the edge. Hold this tail as you let the presser foot down and begin sewing. Pulling this from the back as you stretch the cord in the front will ease the movement of the fabric under the presser foot and will allow you more control as you pull the elastic taught from the front.

• 

  Step 6 of 9

  Carefully zigzag stitch over the cord, without letting the needle catch it. Stretch the cord gently as you do so.

• 

  Step 7 of 9

  To finish, sew a few backwards zigzag stitches, but still do not catch the cord. You will have two tail ends of the cord to pull through the casing.

• 

  Step 8 of 9

  Hold one end of the cord, and pull the other end to create the desired look. Once you have the perfect stretch/gathers, tack the ends of the cord in place with a few machine stitches and cut off excess.

• 

  Step 9 of 9

  Closeup of the zigzag stitch casing.