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How to Make a Casing for Elastic

Elastic is often used in the waists of garments such as skirts, shorts and pants to make them easy to pull on. These types of garments can be easier for beginners to sew, since adding a casing for elastic can be simpler than installing a zipper or buttons. Elastic waists also allow you to customize the fit of the garment, since the elastic can make a baggy garment just the right size.

Things You'll Need

Elastic
Safety pin
Measuring tape
Fabric or garment
Matching thread
Scissors
Straight pins
Iron
Ironing board
Sewing machine

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a width of elastic that suits the project you’re making. Most elastic for garments comes in widths from 1/4- to 1 1/4-inches wide, with 1/2- to 3/4-inch widths being the most common.
- 2
  Add 1/2 inch to the width of the elastic plus 1 inch for the hem to find the height of the casing. For example, if the elastic is 1/2-inch wide, make the casing 2-inches high. If you want the casing to have an extra ruffle on top, add another 1/2 to 3/4 inch to the casing height.
- 3
  Cut the garment with extra fabric for the casing at the top, using the result of Step 2 to figure out how much extra fabric you need. Most clothing patterns with elastic waistbands already have this extra fabric included in the pattern.
- 4
  Sew the garment together following the pattern instructions. Cut the elastic so that it’s long enough to wrap comfortably around your waist with about 1 inch to spare.
- 5
  Fold the top edge of the fabric over 1/2 inch toward the wrong side, then fold it over another 1/2 inch to encase the raw edge. Press the folds flat, then pin them in place. Stitch across the folded edge using matching thread.
- 6
  Fold the top edge of the fabric over toward the wrong side so that the folded fabric is the height you want the casing to be. (Use the result of Step 2, minus the 1 inch for the hem.) Measure the fold in several places to make sure it’s even all the way across. Pin the lower edge of the folded fabric in place.
- 7
  Stitch the lower edge of the folded fabric in place using matching thread. Leave an opening about 1 1/2- to 2-inches wide so that you can insert the elastic.
- 8
  Add a ruffled edge to the top of the casing (optional) by stitching along the top edge of the casing using matching thread, about 1/2 inch away from the upper edge.
- 9
  Pin a safety pin to the end of the elastic. Insert the pin through the opening in the casing. Push the safety pin until it goes all the way through the casing and comes out the opening again. Overlap the ends of the elastic slightly and pin them together.
- 10
  Try on the garment and adjust the length of the elastic if needed. Stitch the ends of the elastic together. Stitch the opening in the casing closed.

Sewing