Elastic Casing Waistband

What you will learn

• Folding and sewing a casing
• Threading elastic
• Closing the casing gap

Materials and tools

• Threaded machine
• Woven fabric garment top edge or test piece
• Elastic, 1 in (2.5 cm) wide, length equal to the waist measurement minus 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5 cm)
• Safety pin
• Iron and board
• Pins

Before you start

• Measure the elastic around the body where it will sit. It should be snug but comfortable. Cut it to length, plus 1 in (2.5 cm) for overlapping.

1. Turn the top edge of the garment 1/4 in (6 mm) to the wrong side and press.
2. Fold again to make a casing 1 1/2 in (3.8 cm) deep. After stitching, this leaves a channel at least 1/4 in (6 mm) wider than the 1 in (2.5 cm) elastic. Press and pin.

3. Sew close to the lower folded edge, 1/8 in (3 mm) from it. Leave a gap of 2 in (5 cm) so the elastic can go in.
4. Sew a second line 1/8 in (3 mm) from the top fold, if desired. This row goes all the way around and needs no gap.
5. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic. Push the pin through the gap and gather the casing along it until the pin emerges at the gap again.
6. Do not let the other end slip inside. Hold it or pin it to the fabric.
7. Overlap the elastic ends by 1 in (2.5 cm) and sew a small square of stitches or a zigzag across the overlap.
8. Close the gap with straight stitching, adjusting the elastic so it lies flat inside. Spread the gathers evenly.

Tips for a neat result

• Do not twist the elastic in the casing.
• Make the casing a little wider than the elastic so it can move easily.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• The gathers are even all around.
• The elastic stretches smoothly and returns.

Projects that use this