Sewing with elastic

[Steffie]

Just a bit of background. My 9 year old daughter is in her first year of ballet/tap/jazz class. Her recital is May 27th, I cannot wait to see! Anyway, I have been hand sewing her a few tutus throughout her ballet year as the ones at the stores are either too plain, or too expensive and too plain. My daughter loves dress up, so she loves the frilly etc.

So far, I have just been making the tutus with ties or ribbon, but they don't stay on her waist well. She is a thin little girl, so I need something that will stay up better. And although I am experienced (sp?) with sewing, I have never done well with elastic.

I was wondering if anyone had any pointers, websites with instruction etc. to help me sew an elastic band for the waist of the tutu.

Thanks and God bless!
Steffie

[wife]

Just a bit of background. My 9 year old daughter is in her first year of ballet/tap/jazz class. Her recital is May 27th, I cannot wait to see! Anyway, I have been hand sewing her a few tutus throughout her ballet year as the ones at the stores are either too plain, or too expensive and too plain. My daughter loves dress up, so she loves the frilly etc.

So far, I have just been making the tutus with ties or ribbon, but they don't stay on her waist well. She is a thin little girl, so I need something that will stay up better. And although I am experienced (sp?) with sewing, I have never done well with elastic.

I was wondering if anyone had any pointers, websites with instruction etc. to help me sew an elastic band for the waist of the tutu.

Thanks and God bless!
Steffie

Do you make a tunnel for the elastic to go through or are you trying to sew through the elastic?

[watchman]

You can stretch the elastic evenly and then sew it as you go, you can do several ways, but if you do so making sure you stretch the same amount(tension) when you are finished the waist band will be kind of "scrunchy". Then it will have some stretch, not be too tight and not look bunched up,

Say for a 20 inch waist, you use a piece of elastic 16 inches, then stretch it to 20 and sew it into the waistband.

Other than that, I don't have clue. :idunno

[Steffie]

Actually I wasn't sure whether to do the sew directly to it or make it where the elastic comes through a tunnel. Since I have just dabbed in trying elastic in the past, and always failed at it, I am not sure what is best???

[Cd4u]

you sew a tunnel for the elastic. and then stitch the elastic vertical on each side (this keep it from twisting when you wash it).

on smaller elastic, you could do a zig zag stitches.

[Green Darner]

With sewing, sometimes it's easier if you can see someone demonstrate.

Here is a link with some free videos demonstrating various ways of putting in elastic:

http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/waistband-casing.htm

Note: scroll down to the bottom to find the videos.

Hope that helps. :)

[Cookies4me]

My daughter has her dance production on the 26th of May. :thumb
with her tutu we are pinning them with baby pins to her Leotard (sp) that way they don't slip off :heh.

Baby diaper pins are the best. No poking at all.:madgrin

[wife]

you sew a tunnel for the elastic. and then stitch the elastic vertical on each side (this keep it from twisting when you wash it).



This is how I do it..

[HSmomto4]

My daughter has her dance production on the 26th of May. :thumb
with her tutu we are pinning them with baby pins to her Leotard (sp) that way they don't slip off :heh.

Baby diaper pins are the best. No poking at all.:madgrin

As a seamstress (over 15 years) and a dance mom of over 10 years I can't say how much I advise against this! This is very dangerous! Unless they are screwed on locking pins they can (I have seen it happen before) come undone and hurt the child very badly!

[HSmomto4]

The easiest way is to fold over 3/4 of an inch of the fabric or tulle and then sew a straight stitch leaving open an area for 1/2 inch elastic to go through. Measure your child’s waist and then add a 1/2 inch for sewing. Run the elastic through the casing and then sew the two ends together. Then hand sew the opening closed.

If you want to sew the elastic to the top of the fabric and then fold it over to cover be sure you use a zig zag stitch so the elastic still has stretch and the thread won't break.

I sew a lot of dance clothes and costumes so if you need thing else let me know :)