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How to Make the Right Size Elastic Waistband

An elastic waistband has several advantages. Not only does elastic afford you comfort and ease when putting on a garment and wearing it, but it is also a simple style to sew. As you prepare to sew a garment with elastic, make the right size elastic waistband to ensure that your garment fits you properly. With attention to basic details, you can complete a garment quickly and easily.

Things You'll Need

Elastic
Scissors
Safety pin
Garment
Sewing machine
Matching thread

Instructions

- 1
  Encircle your waist with the elastic at a comfortable tension. Overlap the edges of the elastic by about 3 inches and cut off the excess elastic with the scissors.
- 2
  Pin the elastic comfortably around your waist and wear the elastic in this fashion for about 30 minutes. After the time elapses, assess the elastic for comfort. Make the elastic tighter or looser depending on how it feels.
- 3
  Cut the elastic to the finished length necessary for comfort with an additional inch for overlapping the ends.
- 4
  Place a safety pin onto one end of the elastic. Insert the pinned end of the elastic into the casing of the garment and work the elastic through the casing to thread it. Continue moving the pinned end of the elastic through the casing until you have both ends of the elastic together.
- 5
  Overlap the elastic ends by 1/2 inch and pin them to hold them securely.
- 6
  Stitch the overlapped ends of the elastic with the sewing machine, stitching back and forth several times to ensure that the ends stay sewn securely. Clip the threads when you finish stitching.
- 7
  Sew the opening of the casing closed with the sewing machine to finish the waistline.

Sewing