3 different ways to sew an elastic
Yeah! You've just cut the different pieces of your pattern, and you are ready to sew your bra or brief.
And then comes the moment to sew the elastics.
Don't panic! đ Itâs a bit impressive at the beginning, but youâll see, once youâll be trained, thatâs not that complicated!When you look in details your underwears from industrial compagnies, you may see multiple kind of elastic and sewing methods.
In this tutorial, we explain the most used types of sewing methods, that you can easily do at home:
Are you ready ? Let's go !
1. 2-steps zigzag seam
This method for sewing elastic is the most common practice, we call it âattach and flipâ, and we make it in two steps:
1st step : Attach the elastic
 |
Prepare your sewing operation by making sure the gathering in eases goes smoothly between elastic and fabric, then pin them together. Place the wrong side of the elastic on top of the right side of the fabric, edge to edge. The softest side of the elastic is on the top (it will be on skin side thereafter) Set up your sewing machine on âsimple zig zagâ, that looks like that:  |
 |
Make a first zig zag stitching on the inside edge of the elastic. đ«Quick tip : To ensure a nice, clean and professional appearance, do not hesitate to trim the excess of fabric, that may overflow from the elastic. |
2nd step : Flip the elastic
 |
Flip the elastic to the wrong side of the fabric, to position it on the skin side. Make a second zig zag stitching on the other edge of the elastic. |
 |
Here you go! This operation requires some training, and you will observe that sometimes, fabrics donât respond the same way. You can make few test before doing it on your final garment, it will be prettier đ |
2. 1-step zigzag 3 points seam
 |
This sewing method is ideal to attach the elastic at the edge of festoons lace! And it is just so easy to make, only one operation is needed :) Prepare your sewing operation by making sure the gathering in eases goes smoothly between elastic and fabric, then pin them together. Then, set up your sewing machine with the stitching âZig zag 3 stitchesâ, that looks like this:  |
 |
Itâs better if you test your sewing first, to be sure that the width of the elastic is well covered by the zig zag. Once everything is OK, you can sew the elastic at the hollow of the teeth (scallop). So easy |
3. Fold-over elastics
They are very convenient to use, easy to find in various colors in haberdashery! Those elastic are like bias that we are used to use in ânormalâ clothing, expect that they are very stretchable, which is top to sew lingerie đ
In general, they have 2 kind of sides: one is mat and the other one is shinny. That gives you the choice of the side that you prefer for your creation! In the pictures below, we choose the mat side of the elastic (that means that the shiny one will be hidden).
When you want to use an elastic folded in 2, the first thing that you have to do, is to remove the seam allowance on the sewing pattern. Indeed, the elastic is attached at the edge of the fabric, and it is like there is no seam allowance.
1st step : Attach the elastic
 |
Split regularly the elastic gathers on the fabric, and pin them together, by placing the fabric on the fold of the elastic. Make a basting seam with a long flat stitching point on the right side of the fabric. This first step allows you to fix two different thicknesses together, this way, it will be easier to fold and flip the elastic. |
 |
đ«Quick tips: To ensure a nice, clean and professional appearance, do not hesitate to trim the excess of fabric, that may overflow from the elastic at the fold. |
â
2nd step : Flip the elastic
 |
Fold the elastic, that you have attached, toward the right side of the fabric, and make a zig zag stitch to maintain the two thicknesses of the elastic together. |
 |
As the basting seam is not stretchable, we remove it once the zig zag stitching has been done. And it's done ! |
Et voilĂ ! the different sewing methods are no more secret for you đ
We hope this article has been useful to you, and, that you are ready to sew kilometers of elastics!
If you want to learn how to sew an an adjustable bra strap, or an Hook&Eye Closure, we have concocted a series of Sewing tips articles here
Have fun sewing !
If you have doubts, do not hesitate to contact us :
