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Joining really narrow elastic?
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2527	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/3/12 6:27 PM I just made a knit top with elastic casings at neckline, sleeves, and bottom/hem, and I'm about to make it again--which gives me 8 times total to practice my elastic-joining technique! I used 1/4" elastic, and ended up joining the ends by hand because I couldn't think of a practical way of doing those tiny joins by machine (and, in fact, my normally rock-solid reliable machine made a predictably tangled mess of it when I did try). How does everyone else deal with the joins of teeny-tiny elastic like this? Thanks! ------ ~Gem in the prairie
LauraTS   Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 7/10/06 Posts: 1962	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/3/12 6:43 PM I usually back the join with a piece of fabric - if you're using knits, sometimes a woven will work better. I just grab a scrap and cut it roughly, big enough so you can pin on both sides, and put it underneath the join. Pin and then zigzag as usual - the fabric helps keep everything in place and OK with the feeddogs. Then when you're done with the stitching, trim the fabric down until it's out of the way. I saw a tip on one of the sewing shows about using washable stabilizer - they suggested using scraps of it for this purpose, and wetting it slightly so the elastic sticks to the stabilizer and doesn't require pins. I don't have any other use for washable stabilizer, so I haven't tried it myself. ------ I've moved! Visit my new sewing blog at http://chiralcraft.wordpress.com Do you sew from KnipMode? Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knipmode_english/
arianamaniacs   Advanced AUSTRIA Member since 6/11/04 Posts: 957	Login to reply to this post In reply to LauraTS Like this post Date: 3/5/12 9:03 AM Great ideas!
justgail Intermediate IA USA Member since 1/19/06 Posts: 535	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/5/12 10:16 AM I usually do what Laura does. And sometimes with narrow elastic, I fold the fabric around the elastic, leaving flaps on 1 side. Those give me something to hold while turning to stitch the other direction, and the fold help keep the elastic lined up straight.
missticky2 Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 12/14/09 Posts: 125	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/7/12 2:30 PM Those are great ideas. I usually overlap and pin the elastic and put it under the foot, remove the pin, put tongue in appropriate spot at side of mouth and hope for the best...lol. Next time I'm going to try a piece of fabric..Thanks folks :) ------ Blessings Janice
LauraTS   Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 7/10/06 Posts: 1962	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/7/12 8:31 PM LOL, Janice, I know that tongue-sticking-out procedure quite well. That's a great idea, Gail. The one nice thing about only having the fabric on the bottom is that you can see to make sure your needle is hitting the right place and grabbing both sides of the join. But having a 'handle' to grab onto with the really narrow stuff would be handy too. ------ I've moved! Visit my new sewing blog at http://chiralcraft.wordpress.com Do you sew from KnipMode? Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knipmode_english/

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