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Types Of Sewing Elastics: The Ultimate Buying & DIY Guide
For both beginner sewists and masters of the craft, it's important to think about the hidden details that complete your project. Haberdashery such as buttons, fasteners and zips can completely transform a project. These are the details that help turn your projects from decorative to functional pieces. Our extensive haberdashery collection will have every sewist ready to conquer any sewing project that comes their way.
Elastic, one of many haberdashery essentials, will take your sewing projects to the next level by adding support and versatility to your creations. It can be used to create shirring and gathering within your textiles while also making for comfortable waistbands that make any outfit easy to wear! We'll take you through the popular types of elastic for sewing and which ones are best for your project.
Quick Links
- What Is Elastic Made Of?
- Braided Sewing Elastic
- Knitted Sewing Elastic
- Woven Sewing Elastic
- Speciality Elastic
- How To Sew With Elastic
What Is Elastic Made Of?
While sewing elastic is available in varying materials, they feature a stretchable core typically made from rubber or synthetic spandex fibres. This core is then covered by a fabric so that it may be easily sewn into other materials, perfect for clothing or other textile creations.
Available in various thicknesses and lengths, elastic can be hidden with fabric by being threaded through a casing or stitched directly to your material to accommodate your textile needs.
Types Of Elastic For Sewing
Sewing elastics are all designed with a similar function in mind - to stretch while retaining shape. However, there are different degrees to which these varying types of elastics stretch as well as different ways to use these sewing elastics.
Braided Sewing Elastic
Ideal for a variety of projects, braided elastic features a horizontal ribbed design that is both strong and durable. This elastic narrows when stretched but remains sturdy, making it great for frequently used creations or worn garments. Braided sewing elastic can weaken if it's sewn through, so it's best used in casings of fabric and with light to mid-weight fabrics.
While there are a variety of elastics for sewing, there are also different types of braided elastic that offer different uses including swimwear elastic that is designed to withstand chlorine and salt water and more generic braided elastic designed for clothing projects such as in waistbands or sleeves.
Knitted Elastic
Where other elastics may feature a slightly rough texture, knitted elastic is softer and crafted from fibres that are knitted together with a knit pattern throughout it. The soft, smooth texture is comfortable against the skin, making it ideal for a range of projects. Unlike braided elastic, knitted elastic is smoother in appearance and retains its width when stretched. It can withstand use when sewn through and is suitable for both casings and for when elastic is needed to be sewn directly to a fabric.
Due to its softer design, this sewing elastic is not suitable for heavier fabrics where a stronger grip is required and is best used with light to midweight fabrics. This makes knitted elastic great for underwear, pyjama pants and other lightweight textile projects.
Woven Elastic
Create projects that require a heavy-duty stretch with a woven elastic. Also known as a non-roll elastic, this type of sewing elastic is made from threads that are woven together to provide excellent stretch and recovery. Featuring a horizontal and vertical ribbed pattern, woven elastic doesn't narrow when stretched and is quite firm. Due to its durability and strength, this elastic is great for work with mid-weight to heavier fabrics, making it excellent for waistbands, coats and belts. It can also be used as a swimming elastic because of its strength. With a rougher texture than other types of sewing elastic, woven elastic is best sewn within the casing of your textile creation.
Speciality Elastic
While there are a few main types of sewing elastic, you can also find other kinds of elastic for sewing to accommodate any task including:
- Elastic cord: Features a core thread covered in a fabric and designed to be gentle on the skin. Elastic cords can also sometimes bring a decorative touch to your projects.
- Rubber elastic: Can refer to both any elastic made with a rubber core or even specialised swimwear elastic, made to withstand chlorine, sweat and salt water.
- Clear elastic: Lightweight with a thinner design than other elastics, clear elastic is great for gathering fabric, stabilising areas that may stretch such as necklines and offers support while remaining invisible from afar.
How To Sew Elastic
Once you've chosen your desired elastic for your project, you can start sewing!
- Directly onto fabric: Depending on the type of elastic, you can easily sew through the elastic, onto your fabric. Simply prepare your sewing machine with thread and sew the border of your elastic to your material
- Within a casing: Fold the end of a piece of fabric over and sew down to secure, leaving an opening at each end. Using a safety pin, secure one piece of the elastic to the fabric. Attach another safety pin to the other end of the elastic and thread it all the way through the casing. Sew both ends of the elastic together and then sew over the opening to close the casing.
Complete Your Project With The Right Sewing Elastics From Spotlight
No matter your sewing skills, you'll be sure to find all the sewing supplies you need to complete your project, right here at Spotlight. Looking for more guidance? Check out our helpful sewing tips and tricks to master your sewing techniques.
Be sure to shop our full selection of sewing tools, fabrics and haberdashery including elastic, buttons and more, online or at a Spotlight store near you today!
