? about elastic....

[alaska]

I have a question for you sewing mamas.
I'm making my first adult-sized article of clothing. The pattern (it's a built by wendy pattern) calls for an elasticized neckband and arm bands. I'm not totally into how high the neckline is, or how tight it looks around the arms.

How can I adjust the pattern to make it more like I want it (looser/wider neck and looser around the arms)? Just not pull the elastic as tight?

Thanks and sorry if this is a ridiculous question - I'm a sewing novice.

[orangefoot]

You would need to use a longer piece of elastic than they suggest in order to make the neckline and arms looser.

Once you have finished the seams and casings I would take your elastic and without cutting it at all, run it through the casing (on a safety pin to help you push it through) and use the safety pin to pin the start of the elastic to the other end which is just still sticking out of the casing.

Put it on and play with the position of the pin to see how you like the neck. Use a pen to mark the elastic where you ended up putting the pin then pull it all back through, add a bit for the overlap and then cut to that length for sewing.

[alaska]

thank you!

[KariM]

And for what it's worth, I always have to cut the elastic *shorter* than what the pattern suggests (and I'm a big gal).

For some reason pre-printed patterns always have the elastic measurements being too loose, IMHO.

[eepster]

Have you considered substituting pretty ribbon draw-strings.