why won't my elastic gather!!

[425lisamarie]

First I messed up sewing this diaper because I sewed around it w/out putting the elastic in, oops! Someome here said that is fine I should sew it to the seam allowance anyways. So now I have a stretch knit print in between two layers of hemp french terry, allstitched together w/ a 5/8" seam allowance.

So is there some secret to sewing elastic to knits?? I can't get mine to gather! I would love any suggestions...BTW I'm turning and topstitching

[rubelin]

First make sure you are stretching the elastic really tight as you sew... OR measure the part you need to gather, and cut your elastic about 1/2 - 2/3 the length and just tack it at the ends (you sew a casing for it when you topstitch on the outside). Also make sure you are using a wide enough elastic; I like 1/4" myself, but sometimes 3/8 is needed to support the weight of bulky fabrics.

Do keep in mind that sometimes elastic gets stretched out when sewn down but it bounces back when you wash it, so it might actually be ok