Okay, the above picture doesn’t look like much. That’s the point! It’s the easiest way to sew elastic to a waistline without the telltale topstitching of an elastic waistline.
Over the years, Nancy tweaked and personalized sewing techniques. Her favorites are collated in the book, The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew. She shares a bonus technique for the letter “E” for inserting Elastic in a waistline. We believe you’ll find this technique to be the absolute easiest way to sew elastic to a waistline.
Prepare the elastic.
- Cut the elastic 2″–4″ smaller than your waistline measurement, depending on what you feel is comfortable. (If your waist is quite a bit smaller than your hips, pin the elastic together without trimming off the excess.)
- Try on the elastic, pulling it up over your hips. If the elastic is too tight to slide comfortably over your hips, readjust the elastic before sewing it together.
- Zigzag the elastic ends to woven fabric without overlapping the ends. (This tip eliminates the bulk that occurs when elastic is connected by overlapping its ends. Zigzag several times.
- Trim away the excess woven fabric.
- Quarter mark the elastic. Fold it in half and then in half again, placing a pin at each quarter.
- Also quarter mark the waistline.
Attach the elastic.
- Pin the elastic to the garment at each quarter point, meeting the elastic to the wrong side of the garment.
- Serge or zigzag the elastic to the cut edge of the waistband, stretching the elastic to fit. (This is what real sewing looks like, sometimes it’s not perfect.)
- Fold under the elastic for a casing. Check to be sure the fabric is securely wrapped around the elastic.
- Stitch through the elastic and garment at each seam. This holds the casing and elastic in position. Don’t stitch the elastic to the waistline along the lower edge. This is enough stitching! Time for tea…
When wearing the skirt or pants, that telltale elastic stitching is gone. The sewing is about as easy as it gets! How about that?
All of Nancy’s favorite sewing tips are in one book.
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The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew chapters include:
- Sewing Notions
- Sewing Machine Confidence
- Serger Spotlight
- Patterns
- Fabric Facts
- Sewing Basics
- Beyond the Basics
Watch The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew (Part One) on Sewing With Nancy online.
To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.
For a chance to win a copy of The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew, from Nancy’s Notions, tell us if you have ever used this easy elastic sewing tip. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on this blog.
The randomly selected winner of a set of eight Landscape Quilt Note Cards by Nancy Zieman, is Irene Hynes.
Her comment is: I love all of the art that Nancy has done. My favorite from this group is “Out on a Limb.” It reminds me of the apple trees in bloom in springtime at our country place. The blossoms remind me that life continues, and make me very happy. I have always admired Nancy’s ideas and projects, and the way she taught us. I am so glad the journey continues with Nancy Zieman Productions.
The two randomly selected winner of win a copy of Nancy Zieman the Rest of the Story–A Memoir of Faith, Family and Friends by Richard Zieman, from the October 15 Book Blog Tour are: Carolyn Prentice and Deb Regner.
Their comments are:
Happy Sewing,
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions. LLC.
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While I have used similar techniques to attach elastic and do find this to be an easy way to install elastic, it does present some issues with fitting. In my case, my front waist is significantly longer than my back waist, so dividing and attaching the elastic into quarters makes the garment too tight in front and too loose in back. I have to attach it proportionately to my measurements and calculate the fractional difference. As others have noted, it is difficult and more time-consuming to change the length of the elastic for alterations when the elastic is continuously attached around the waist, especially if it is serged. Many may not see this as a problem, but my waist has changed a lot in a short time, as I have gained and lost weight due to health problems. Also, I am not comfortable with the feel of the bare elastic edge on my skin and prefer the edge to be covered. So while this method may be easy for attaching, and I do like the smooth edge appearance, it may not be easy in the long term.
I haven’t used this technique before, but it’s a great idea! I’ll have to try it sometime!
I did try this waistband technique. Sewing this was easy, fun and quick! The waistband looks very finished not bulky or thick. Wearing this skirt is comfortable as well- no riding up. I would like to see the other tips Nancy has in this book! Thank you for continuing to share Nancy’s sewing magic!
Always have done the elastic band by the classic method of threading the elastic into the sewn casing. This method of Nancy’s is far easier and would take much less time without the frustration of trying to get the elastic band into the casing & out the other end. Would love the book!
Wow, even I can now put elastic on a garment and make it look nice. I stay away from elastic waste bands on skirts and pants because mine look awful. Thank you!
What a clever way to put on a waistband! I have wrestled with waistbands in the past and this looks so much better. I am really interested in other tricks of the trade and look forward to ready Nancy’s story.
I havne’t tried this tip, but I LOVE the book! ( I won a copy ) This book is Fabulous! even if you have been sewing for a long time….there are many quick “hacks” in it for doing things the easy way. Thank you for keeping Nancy’s legacy going! and THANKS for the book!
I haven’t tried this technique. It certainly looks easier than putting in a waistband!
I have never tried this method. It looks like it would be easy and quick to do. Thank you for sharing your tips Nancy.
I’ve never tried this method but will give it a try on some pajama pants I have to make. The only problem I see with this method is if you have to change the elastic in a garment.
I HAVE NEVER USED THIS METHOD. I WILL HAVE TO TRY THIS
TIP. THANKS!
I have never tried this technique but looks very approachable, thanks for the pictorial and the giveaway!
I avoided using elastic in things I have sewn since I didn’t know how much to stretch it and how to sew it. Knowing how helpful and practical Nancy was in her prorams of tips, this book likely has much more I need to learn!
I have used this method and it works wonderfully.
No, I have not used this technique but definitely need to try it in the future.
I have not used this method for attaching elastic but I love it and I’m excited to try it sometime.
I have not stitched my elastic that way. When I first saw the picture, I thought that it is cool. It’s like the way it looks, like no elastic is there. Way to go, Nancy.
I have not done much stitching of elastic waistbands since I didn’t like the look. I might try this on some pj pants.
I am making a Halloween costume for my daughter and this will help so much. Thank you!
I’ve never sewn elastic like this, but I’ll have to try it. Nancy came up with so many techniques to improve my sewing.
I never tried this method of sewing elastic but I will try it, it sounds so easy
I haven’t used this technique yet but I will try it soon. So glad to see this post.
I just cut out a pair of Pajama pants for my granddaughter. I am going to use this tip to attach the elastic. How timely for me.
No I haven’t used this technique, but now will give it a try! Thank you!! I miss Nancy!!!
I have not used this method to sew elastic. All helpful tips are always welcomed.
What a clever idea! I have never used this method for adding elastic to a waistband, but I will definitely try it on my next project. I love finding easy techniques for streamlining my sewing. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh. This looks so easy. What a great idea. I’ve used Nancy’s hint for stitching down elastic ends to fabric but have not seen this insertion idea before. Can’t wait to try this technique.
Have watched Nancy’s shows for many years, and still am watching as the Team carries through, hard though it may be without Nancy. I miss her, too. I am a senior just returning to sewing, my one big love, and this book could update me in a hurry, I’m sure, and make my life more pleasant. I have quite a few items that need elastic replacement…so this would be very timely for me also.
I have never tried this method to do an elastic waistband. Will have to try it. Would love to have all of the easy ways to sew, because I put off doing projects that are hard or complicated.
Wow I would never have guessed. What a wonderful way to sew elastic waistband without the waistband! Love it and will give it a try.
I have never used this method, but it looks easy and one that I will definitely use the next time I sew an elastic waistband.
This looks like a great way to sew elastic. Going to give it a try.
Love this method for adding elastic. I came across it last year just as I was quickly making myself some summer shorts as the weather had got very hot – made it so easy. As I am now older and have elastic waistbands for everything this method has changed my life. Thanks a million.
I have used the method of joining the elastic with a woven piece of fabric but always made a casing and then sometimes stitched down at side seams but I think I like the idea of leaving the bottom unstitched and will certainly give it a try soon. Thanks for the tip!
I would love to learn more from the book.
I haven’t used this method yet but I will try this one soon. My older sewing book didn’t show the easy ways to sew. Remember when every seam, dart, and notches were marked with colored paper carbons using a rotary spiked tool? I’m all for the easy way in Nancy’s book.
I agree with Andrea that when the elastic has to be replaced, one has to remove all the stitches. Also I discovered that any elastic adjustment can not be made after it is sewn. I tended to stretch the elastic too much. However, the results look so nice I think I will try it again.
I have never used this tip for elastic waistbands before. I usually avoid using elastic. I might just have to try this idea out. It looks so much better than the old fashion stitch on top of the fabric. Makes be wonder what else is in this book that I may have missed.
So interesting, I have never used this method of putting in elastic. I will definitely use this method. I think this book will be very helpful for all ages and sewing abilities.
I have never used this method but will now. I have never liked the look of elastic waistbands. Now that I am older I really enjoy the comfort of elastic waistbands. I will be using this method from now on. I would love to have this book.
Oh my goodness – how did I miss this tip!! I tend to avoid elastic waistbands, but love how this looks. Thanks for continuing to share Nancy’s tips and information.
I have never used that elastic sewing tip, and I would love to have that book!
Nancy seemed to do everything with ease. Her tips and explanations helped me master a few of her skills; one of which was how to shorten the hems on jeans. I admire Nancy and miss her insight when it comes to sewing. I also miss her unselfish ability to share her gifts and those of the guests she showcased on Sewing with Nancy.
I have not used this elastic tip, but I certainly will be using it in the future. This would be a great book to share with my granddaughter. Thanks for the chance.
I loved Nancy and miss her so much. I’m so grateful to you at NZP, Inc. for continuing her blog.
I would love the book – the absolute easiest way to sew and somehow haven’t gotten around to ordering it. I will fix that Monday – I have a question I need to ask the advice line also. miki
I have not used this method of sewing elastic but would love to learn how. Would love this book to teach me how.
This is a great tip! I’ve been sewing for years and have never seen it. Leave it to Nancy to come up with such a great idea. I think I can certainly continue to learn more and would love to have this book. I continue to enjoy her programs.
I have used the tip of sewing the elastic to cloth so it will lay flat. When sewing pajama pants for my daughters and for other waistband projects it is a nice idea.
The only holdback I have about using this method is that if the elastic needs to be replaced, it takes a long time to remove the old elastic (have to rip out the stitches along length of elastic). Also, although elastic may seem to be right length when testing just the elastic, sometimes it still needs to be tightened once it has been inserted into the garment (and for this you’d have to rip out all stitches to shorten the elastic). With the casing, I can just snip enough stitches to reach into the casing then pull the old elastic out and put in the new one.
No, but what a great way to install elastic!!
Where were you last week? lol I was trying to figure out a way to make an easy waistband. Now I know! What I did was okay but this is far better. Thanks. M.
No, I haven’t used this method. I will try it soon.
Always looking for an easier way to repair clothes and get them back in my wardrobe. Thanks
I would never have thought of doing elastic waistbands this way, but I’m sure I will be using this method soon. So neat and easy!
I have never tried this method but I sure will now. All of Nancy’s tips in one book would be great.
I’ve never used this technique but will certainly try it out in the future. Nancy always had the best tips and techniques I’m happy to them still being shared. Thanks!!!
I’ve never used this technique before and can’t wait to try it!
I have never used that easy elastic sewing tip! I can’t wait to try. The method I used was a lot harder and bulkier.
What an amazing tip! After sewing for 50 years and making perhaps 100 fleece pants for charity and the homeless, this is truly a wonderful idea–especially since it eliminates the possibility of the roll of the elastic within the casing! I will be certainly be passing this along to the other ladies in our sewing group.
Nancy”s team, thanks for keeping things going.
I miss Nancy. I still watch her programs every week. She was a pleasure to meet back in 2007 in Salt Lake. She has been my mentor. I’m still learning from her.
Have watched Nancy’s shows for years. Have saved all of her emails in a folder. She was an awesome, passionate seamstress who taught so many people to sew…and continues to!
I would love to have her book so I can share with other young people that want to learn to sew at my home. She was the best!
I have used part of this tip when replacing elastic in two pairs of pants. I connected the elastic to a piece of fabric and zigzagged both ends to the fabric. It definitely reduces the bulk. I would enjoy adding Nancy’s book to my collection so i could follow her tips when sewing.
I don’t do a lot of garment sewing and I’ve never done an elastic waistband with this method. I’ll be sure to try this method next time!