How To Fix A Rolling Elastic Waistband
Pants and skirts with elastic waistbands are easy to sew and wear. They are a wardrobe staple for their comfort. They are worn by both children and adults with ease. However, from time to time, the elastic in the waistband rolls or twists. This makes the garment so uncomfortable that you don’t want it anywhere near your body.
When an elastic starts rolling, you either push your garment to the bottom of the wardrobe or you look for a permanent solution that will get comfort back into the clothes.
How To Fix A Rolling Elastic Waistband?
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Topstitching your waistband casing. This is the quickest and best method to keep your elastic band from rolling. It involves topstitching the top of your waistband on a sewing machine. This reduces the amount of space available in the waistband casing.
Thus, when you try to roll the elastic by hand, it doesn’t roll. Neither will any external pressure such as prolonged wearing or washing in the machine make the elastic band roll.
Method 1. Topstitching The Waistband Casing
Step 1. If your elastic band is rolling, open up a seam on the bottom side of the waistband casing. Then pull out a few inches of the elastic through this gap that you just made. Hold the elastic that you pulled out with pins to prevent it from going back into the casing.
Step 2. Bring the top part of the waistband casing to the sewing machine. If it had already been sewn, you will have to sew below the original stitches. This will help to reduce the size of the casing. This will reduce the chances of the elastic rolling once it is put back into the casing.
Step 3. When you have finished topstitching the casing, straighten the elastic band back into the casing. Remove the pins and push back the part of the elastic that is outside the casing. Pull it all around the casing so that it can sit evenly. Rub it gently so that you can feel that it is back in the casing and properly settled.
Step 4. Before you seal the gap that you used to pull the elastic band out, try to twist and roll it in the casing. If your stitch has worked, there won’t be enough room for your elastic band to even move around.
However, if the casing is still large, there may be some slight rolling. Repeat the above steps to reduce the space in the casing that causes the elastic band to roll.
Step 5. When you are satisfied that the topstitching and the elastic band are properly placed, you can now seal the gap you had created. Bring it to the sewing machine and run a zigzag stitch over it.
You can now wear your pants or skirts. With the elastic band in place without a chance to roll, you can wear your clothes comfortably for longer.
Method 2. Stitching In The Ditch
Step 1. Try to fix the elastic band in the waistband casing so that it is as evenly distributed as possible. You don’t have to pull it out. You can do this with your hands by pulling the fabric of your garment over the elastic band. You will get better results if you work with your garment turned inside out.
Step 2. Turn your garment to the right side up once the elastic band is properly placed. This allows you to see the seams that you will be stitching on properly. You can flatten the garment on your working surface with iron or just by hand to see the seams better.
Step 3. Mark your seams and bring them to the sewing machine. Since you are stitching on the top part of your garment, make sure to use a thread that is similar to the already existing one. Backstitch and sew on the identified seams. These are the side and back seams of the garment.
This reduces the chances of having your elastic band roll for as long as it maintains its stretch.
Method 3. Replace The Elastic
Step 1. If your elastic waistband is rolling you can opt to replace it. If you are using a waistband casing on your garment, you need to remove the offending elastic band from the casing. Create a gap on the lower seams of the casing. Through this band, pull out the elastic band gently.
Step 2. Measure and cut a new elastic band that will comfortably fit around your waist. Measure elastic by wrapping it around your waist. Then where the two ends meet, cut an inch shorter to allow your elastic band to expand when you wear your garment.
Step 3. Hook a safety pin onto your new piece of the elastic band. Use this safety pin to insert the elastic band into the casing of your garment. Push it through to both ends of the waistband casing. Spread it evenly with your fingers around the casing.
Step 4. Let your new elastic band be slightly larger and thicker than the previous one you had used. When it settles into the waistband casing, it will not have space to move around and roll. You will have made your garment more comfortable and durable by replacing the elastic waistband.
Method 4. Remove And Reinsert Your Elastic
Step 1. This method does not involve any sewing. Therefore, it is fast and convenient. All you need to do is invest in a crotchet hook and a seam ripper.
Step 2. With your seam ripper, open the seams on the lower part of your waistband casing and expose your elastic waistband.
Step 3. Insert your crochet hook through this gap and pull out your elastic band.
Step 4. When it is completely removed you now have to put it back. Hook one end of the elastic with your crochet hook. Insert it through the ripped seam and put it back into the casing. Straighten the elastic band as you push it in until it is on both ends of the casing.
Step 5. Make sure that your elastic band is sitting as straight as possible in the casing. Thus solving the rolling that causes discomfort when you wear your clothes.
Method 5. Stitch The Waistband
Step 1. When your elastic waistband is rolling, try your best to straighten it with your hands. Pull your garment over the elastic from end to end until you can feel that it is straightened up.
Step 2. Hold the straightened-out elastic firmly over the garment and bring it to the sewing machine. You are going to edges stitch the top of the casing. Align on the sewing machine needle and sew as you pull the elastic firmly along the waistband casing.
Step 3. To keep your elastic permanently straight, sew right over the elastic at the middle of the waistband. This will hold the elastic in place preventing it from rolling and causing discomfort when you wear your clothes.
Pull the elastic firmly on both sides as you sew to ensure that your waistband doesn’t form gathers on your garment.
How To Sew Elastic So That It Doesn’t Roll
When you sew elastic directly onto a garment rather than using a waistband casing, it will not roll. In this case, the whole waistline of the garment is an elastic band. Sewing elastic directly onto garments is not suitable for all garments and fabrics. This method is best used for pajamas and yoga pants.
Measure how long a piece of elastic you need by wrapping it around your waist where the garment sits. Cut the elastic band and sew the two corners of the elastic together. The sewn part is the center of the elastic,
From this point, fold the elastic into four quarters and mark the edges. Unfold the elastic and attach the market parts to the front and sides. Stitch this elastic band onto the garment according to how you have pinned it.
Start sewing from the sides then to the front and finally sew the seam at the back.
What Causes Elastic To Stretch Out?
Elastic is made of stretch spandex and rubber. All these are stretchy materials. It is then wrapped in another fabric such as cotton. Elastic stretches further or lower depending on the amount of stretchy or ordinary fabric it is made of. If an elastic fabric has more stretchy components it is likely to stretch more than a piece of elastic with less stretchy material.
Elastic is capable of stretching and getting back to its original condition. When you gain weight and your clothes no longer fit, you can use elastic to make it possible for you to fit in your old clothes.
Elastic bands should be properly taken care of. Wash in cold water and air dry. Do not machine dry or iron. These drying methods can cause elastic to overstretch and gain a new size.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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