Sewing Elastic

[LorrieJ]

I bought 1/4 polyester elastic and I am trying to sew it at the legs on a cpf to fitted dealie! It isn't gathering well. What am I doing wrong. I am trying to pull as tight as I can but it's not doing the trick. This sucks! Oh and I am trying various zig zag settings on my machine. I don't have a 3 step zig zag. Can I use a straight stitch?

[SEEPAE]

you may want to ask in the sewing and crafts forum, they might be able to help

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...splay.php?f=66

you can also search that forum for answers, there was just a thread about "prefitteds" a few days ago

[linnea]

Maybe a mod can move this thread?

I hated sewing elastic when I first started sewing dipes. Here are some things that made it easier:

1. Use wider elastic - I think 1/4" is too narrow and just doesn't have enough "oomph" to gather many layers. I use 3/8" and might even use the next size up if I had really heavy fabric layers to gather.

2. Leave a "header" of elastic above the point where you first tack it down. Use this header to pull the elastic taut from both ends as you stitch down the length. After you've tacked down the other end, snip off the extra. It wastes a little elastic, but hey, it's cheap and it really helps get the stretch nice and even.

3. You don't need a 3-step zigzag - plain ol' zigzag will work fine. Make sure your stitch width is set wide and length is set to match. The stitches shouldn't be too close together or the elastic won't have enough room between stitches to spring back to it's relaxed state.

Hope that helps!

[LorrieJ]

SEPPEA- oops! Thanks for the suggestion. I will check that forum.

Linnea-OK, I will try the 3/8" and leave a header. Gotta go get some! I also think that my stitches were to close although I thought I had it on it's widest setting (5) and the highest I can go with length is 4. So should I use 5 and 4 or 4 and 4. AHH I will try both on a test scrap. It was a pain trying to get the elastic off of the diaper!

THanks for your help.

[Tiskin]

I was majorly frustrated with sewing down elastic too. But then I got a honeyboy pattern and they do the elastic differently.
You can sew the elastic down on just the two ends, then turn the fabric over it and topstich it to form a caseing.
It works great, it's easier and I much prefer this method.

[LorrieJ]

Thanks Tiskin, but how do I know how much elastic and how tight to pull it? Maybe I will put fleece over the cpf that I cut out.

[linnea]

Lorrie, I don't measure the elastic anymore - I mark on the fabric where the ends should be tacked down, start at one end with a "header" like I described, and just pull the elastic as tight as I can. I apply it straight from the roll (or bundle) of elastic so a minimal amount is wasted and rely on the markings instead of a measurement for how much elastic to apply. Hope that makes sense - it's late!

[LorrieJ]

Thanks linnea, hopefully I will have a chance to try it this weekend.

[MTBto5]

I do the exact thing as the pp with using thicker elastic (I HATE the thin stuff), tack it down at the ends, use a regualr zig~zag and use it right off the roll cutting it at the end. Should be much easier for you!

[pageta]

Try lastin. It works much better. I could never get the poly-braid stuff to work. And 1/4" lastin is plenty wide to get really good stretch. You can get it form the one stop diaper shop.

[LorrieJ]

Well...I haven't had time to try it yet. Went out shopping and picked up some super flannel and guess what I left at the store! DOH! I bought some more today and will wash it in the am. Maybe I will have a chance to sew tomorrow or that would be today! I will let you know how it worked out. I will order some of the lastin too. Heard good things about it.

[rubidoux]

I think you can only use lastin if you have a three step zig zag.

J.

[BirthTeacher3]

i was always wondering how to make it work... I always stretched and straight stitched, but never got the "boing" back afterwards... have to try the zig zag thing. Thanks