Elastic sewn, turned, and topstitched

← Back: Attaching Elastic in Sewing

This step takes you from a visible elastic to a clean, structured waistband.

The elastic is sewn on, then enclosed and held in place with topstitching.

👉 Goal: achieve even support, with no twisting or distortion.

---

🔹 Join the elastic into a loop

Before sewing, prepare a closed elastic loop that’s neat and strong.

Method:

• Overlap the ends by about 2 cm
• Sew with a straight stitch, backstitching
• Fold one end back on itself and topstitch
• Fold the other end and topstitch

👉 Result:

• A strong join
• No annoying bulk
• An elastic that stays stable over time

---

🎥 Understand and see the technique

---

🔹 Divide the elastic into quarters

This step is mandatory.

Method:

• Locate the elastic seam
• Fold to find the opposite point
• Fold again to get 4 points
• Mark these 4 notches with a marker or a pin

👉 These marks correspond to:

• center front
• center back
• sides

---

🔹 Sew the elastic

• Position the elastic on the fabric
• Match up the 4 marks
• It doesn’t matter if the elastic is shorter than the fabric
• Sew with a zigzag stitch

Apply even tension between each mark.

👉 Don’t pull the fabric; it must stay flat and stable
👉 Stretch only the elastic

---

🔹 Fold over

• Fold the fabric over the elastic, to the wrong side of the garment
• Keep the fabric nice and flat
• Gently stretch the elastic to help the motion

👉 The elastic is now enclosed in the waistband

---

🔹 Topstitch

• Topstitch with a straight stitch
• Gently pull the fabric while sewing to avoid tucks during stitching
• Keep the elastic nice and flat

👉 This step permanently secures the elastic and prevents it from twisting

---

⚠️ Watch points

• Uneven distribution → unbalanced gathers
• Fabric pulled → distortion
• Uncontrolled tension → unstable finish, misalignment between marks

---

🎯 Skill acquired

✔️ Manage tension on a full garment
✔️ Distribute an elastic correctly
✔️ Get a clean, stable waistband

---

🔗 Real-life example

Direct application on the DELTA Skirt pattern.

A step-by-step video accompanies the project
A simple skirt pattern is included in the PDF pattern

• Sandwiched elastic waistband
• Tension distributed evenly all around the waist
• Review the zigzag overcasting seen in the previous module

← Previous lesson
Gathering with elastic

Next lesson →
Elastic in a casing (tunnel)