Nowadays, to reduce the final cost of the outfit, many dresses and skirts are made of inexpensive fabric. Also, in order to save money, the zipper that is familiar to many is replaced with a sewn-in elastic band. This design will be an ideal solution for a summer dress or skirt - the clothes will be easy to put on and will sit quite loosely, and there will be no need for an additional accessory in the form of a belt.
At the same time, it will not be difficult to sew this product with your own hands. One of the difficult stages of needlework will be the decision on how to sew an elastic band to a skirt instead of a belt. The final choice will determine how comfortably the clothes will sit on the body. Therefore, before starting work, you should carefully study the question of how to sew an elastic band to a skirt.
How to sew an elastic band with a skirt: basic rules
To make the work easier, a novice needlewoman should follow some general rules:
- For wide or flared skirts, measure the elastic a few centimeters larger than the waist circumference.
- If you plan to sew a strict-style skirt, then the length of the material for the belt should be equal to the waist circumference.
- When choosing a pencil skirt, everything will depend on the material chosen. So, for elastic fabric, the elastic is taken exactly at the waist, and for non-stretchy materials, in addition to the stretchable belt, a zipper insert should be provided.
Additional information. When sewing the tape to the skirt, you should act carefully so as not to tear the rubber veins with the needle. Otherwise, the product will last much less than the required period.
Materials and tools for work
In order to start work, you need to prepare the following tools in advance:
- To take measurements and draw a pattern you will need a measuring tape.
- Tailor's scissors and pins.
- Threads in a color that matches the tone of the fabric.
- To make the work easier, it is recommended to have a sewing machine.
It is also worth preparing materials to start sewing:
- Elastic band more than 30 mm wide. You can choose plain or multi-colored.
- Fabric for a skirt.
Important! The amount of material is taken based on the chosen style of the garment. For a half-sun or pleated skirt no longer than 60 cm, a piece of fabric measuring 150 × 160 cm is taken.
Selection of material
When choosing fabric, you should first of all be guided by what model of clothing you plan to sew. The final version of the material will depend on the style and silhouette of the model. Light, well-draped fabric is suitable for skirts that flare out at the bottom.
In any case, the material for sewing can be natural or synthetic. As a rule, elastic is sewn into fluffy skirts, so there is no need to select a fabric containing elastane.
When choosing midi or maxi models, it is best to use silk or synthetic chiffon, tulle or tulle.
Additional informationIf knitwear, cotton or linen is used for sewing, then before starting work, the fabric should be moistened with a spray bottle or ironed with steam.
How to sew elastic into a skirt waistband: basic master classes
There are several ways to sew an elastic band instead of a waistband, but it is recommended to stick to the methods most often used by professionals.
Zigzag method
The most suitable option for owners of sewing machines that have a zigzag stitch. But even if you have to work manually, this way it will be easy to sew the tape to the material.
This method can be used to sew both elastic bands and threads. Its advantage is that even elastic bands can be sewn evenly without additional marks or fixations.
The belt is attached to the skirt in the following sequence:
- The elastic band of the required length is measured and prepared. It is better to make two blanks - one of them will be needed for fitting.
- One of the tapes is pulled under the foot of the sewing machine, and a zigzag is selected along it with such a step that it does not pierce the elastic threads - the needle should pass through the fabric, and not through them. As a result, it should turn out so that the elastic moves freely inside the completed seam.
- When the entire strip is under the zigzag stitch, a second sample is placed next to it and marks are made on the sewn tape corresponding to the edges of the attached piece.
- The elastic band located under the zigzag stitch is pulled to the required length. The required tension for the finished product should be selected and the tape should be secured with several stitches located at the same distance from each other.
The drawstring method
It is performed in the following sequence:
- The length of the line along which the elastic will be sewn is measured.
- A strip of material of the same length is measured. The width of the material should be no less than the width of the elastic band plus seam allowances.
- A fabric drawstring is sewn along the waistband line.
- A rubber band is pulled through the resulting "tunnel" using a pin. Its end and beginning are attached to the skirt fabric.
Variations of skirts with elastic bands
For beginner needlewomen who have decided to sew a skirt with their own hands, the choice with an elastic band instead of a belt will be the most optimal and simple. It is sewn on very easily and will suit different models of this clothing. Using elastic tape, you can make different types of skirts:
- Tatyana;
- Sun;
- half sun;
- a product with different hem lengths.
At the same time, depending on the style, you can choose almost any fabric for sewing. It is also worth remembering that a wide strip will additionally emphasize a slender waist. For owners of more lush forms, it is better to use a thin hidden elastic band.
In addition to the proposed options, there are several other ways to sew elastic to a skirt. Thus, when sewing a tulle product, a knitted elastic fabric folded in half is used as a belt. It is used to trim and hide the mesh cuts.
In the case where a product with a lining is being sewn, the belt should be attached from the front side, and the inner surface should be finished with piping or a cover stitch.
If you need to sew a ribbon with a decorative edge to a product, for example, for a children's skirt, then you should use the basic principle of sewing on a ribbon, that is, apply it from the top edge of the skirt on the front side.
Thus, with the help of a simple elastic band or elastic tape, you can easily sew a comfortable and stylish skirt from any fabric and any style. To do this work, you do not need any special sewing skills - it is enough to acquire all the necessary tools and materials, and soon you will be able to boast of this item of clothing, made with your own hands.
