Elastic waistband question

[Heaz]

Is there a simple rule of thumb for the length you should cut an elastic waistband? Should it be the waist measurement plus one inch (for overlap/connecting)? A little more? A little less? I always just kind of guess, but I'm sure there's a recommended method...

[fek&fuzz]

I have yet to figure this out. I sew for my 15 mo niece, I guess on the waist measurment, then leave another inch or two and give the pants to my sister with the ends pinned so she can sew them together at the right place. I just found out she leaves the safety pin in!

I hope someone replies with the magic formula.

[jyanla]

For toddlers, I always sew the elastic 1 - 1.5 inch LESS than the waist measurement.

[rubelin]

I often use the exact measurement and then the extra ease is taken in with the 1/2" - 1" overlap when I stitch the ends.

I also make sure the elastic has been well stretched a bit before I cut it, to make sure it doesn't relax too much when it's stitched in.

You also need less when you are stitching the elastic into the waist (I overlock it to the raw edge and then turn it under and topstitch) vs. sewing it into a casing (where the elastic is only sewn at the ends) because the elastic won't recover all it's stretch when you stitch through it.