Date: 10/12/09 9:27 PM

I am sure this topic has been discused before, but I can't find it,, if you have a link to pictures, that would be great,, but can someone please tell me the proper way to insert clear elastic in the neck of a knit top,, so that it lays flat,, not curled slightly from being turned going around the curves,, make sense????

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Mickie

http://sew-something.blogspot.com/

Date: 10/12/09 10:00 PM

I found this on line hope this answers your question.

Transparent or clear elastics are synthetic narrow fabrics that can stretch up to four times their length and can completely recover the original size and shape. They are made of polyurethane and does not contain rubber which makes them appropriate to be used in kids garments or for people who are allergic to latex. It is primarily used in those areas that are prone to lose stretch, such as shirt bottoms, shoulder seams and necklines. They can't be used in casings as they'll roll over themselves.
heres more info on other elastic.
all elastic

Reply to sewbluetiful
Date: 10/12/09 10:21 PM

I'm not sure how others do it but I use the 3-thread stitch on my serger. I set it so the needle doesn't pierce the elastic but instead stitches beside the edge of the elastic, with the rest of the stitch encasing the elastic. This attaches it to the neckline. I will stretch the elastic ever so slightly as I sew.

Then I fold the neck edge inside and stitch in place. I use my coverstitch machine but in the past I've used my sewing machine with twin needle. I have tried straight stitching but I find this makes the neckline edge want to roll to the outside when the top is worn. Some sort of twin needle stitching, or alternatively a zig-zag or decorative stitch seems to work best for me. HTH

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Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
**Sew for the fun of it**

Reply to sewbluetiful
Date: 10/12/09 11:24 PM

I wrote this tip a while ago. Check it out:
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/review/readreview.pl?readreview=1&ID=486

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- Deepika
Founder, PatternReview.com
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Reply to Sew4Fun
Date: 11/3/09 9:11 AM

Quote: Sew4Fun

I will stretch the elastic ever so slightly as I sew.

If you're not an "eyeballer," a good rule of thumb is to cut the elastic 10% smaller than the opening. My disclaimer........every fabric seems to act differently, a lot like different ribbings act differently. Sometimes you end up with a ridiculously tight/loose t-shirt neck.
-- Edited on 11/3/09 9:11 AM --

Date: 11/3/09 10:03 AM

I have lots better luck using 1/4 or 3/8 swimwear elastic. The clear always gets stuck in my presser foot and it tends to tunnel. A 1 to 1 ration is too large, it needs to be slightly smaller and pulled just a little tighter at the center front and back. The second stitching tends to stretch it out. I also use this method for sleeveless knit tops.

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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.

Reply to Sew4Fun
Date: 11/3/09 2:13 PM

Belinda,

I just tried your tip for my little black dress. It didn't work 100%, as the elastic stretched and tunneled at times and I had to snip here and there to release the tension. Also, my 3-thread-stitch was not wide enough (even though I had my machine set to the widest width) for my 3/8 wide elastic; I have to look for 1/4 inch wide.

I am still excited about this method, though. Despite my clumsy effort, the neckline came out looking good, without any gaposis!!! I will practice this more. Thanks for sharing.

Claudia

Date: 11/5/09 6:56 PM

How do you go around corners with it though???

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Mickie

http://sew-something.blogspot.com/