| I've had several projects lately that needed serious first aid and I found it at Walgreen's: the humble Ace Bandage or its store brand counterpart. I've used the 2" and 3" ones to add more oooomph to flabby ribbing on the hem of a polo shirt, add weightless layer of elastic to the tummy band on a pair of yoga pants, and fix the saggy, too-large gathered collar on a knit shirt. It's easy to sew through, and is very subtle - a kinder, gentler version of elastic. It probably won't last as long as regular elastic, and a reasonable, careful person would make an attempt to keep these things out of the dryer. I am not that person, and I figure that the worst thing that could happen is that over time, the elastic begins to wilt and I'm left with the a garment with the original problem. But in the mean time, I've got comfortable, invisible elasticity where I need it. |
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Such a good hint. Please give a bit more info, so you just sew it in under the collars or waistband where it cannot be seen?
4/8/09 1:31 AM
sounds interesting, is Ace bandage that kind of crepe bandage used for sprains etc, or is it more elasticated?
4/8/09 5:55 AM
Petro, Ace bandages are elasticized strips that are usually used for injuries like sprained ankles http://tinyurl.com/c72edp Kirsten, I put the bandage inside the ribbing and waistband before it was sewn to the garment; I attached one edge to the fold of the ribbing and waistband by stitching it to what is the inside of the band, then included the other edge in the seam that attached the band to the pants or top. The one I used on the saggy collar is just floating free inside the collar, tacked at the shoulder seams, because it was a "retro-fit".
4/8/09 6:53 AM
Thanks for this cool tip Karla!
4/8/09 7:31 AM
thanks Karla, i felt a bit naughty when i put a box of these in my sewing room recently with that 'may come in handy for something' cavalier attitude, i had bought them in error thinking they were tube support bandages, but now i can relax and trust my instincts, they will definitely come in handy for something! thanks again for sharing.
4/8/09 9:14 AM
Seriously great idea. I mean that as sincerely as I can possible be. It's a whole new world of promise out there. Dayum!
4/8/09 9:21 AM
Oh, this is so timely!! My local options for anything resembling elastic is Walmart, which doesn't have the type of elastic I needed for a waist on "yoga pants" type shorts. This is such a great solution. Thanks for sharing it!!!!!!
4/8/09 4:12 PM
Karla, you're a genius.
4/9/09 7:55 AM
clever tip.
4/9/09 6:13 PM
Great idea! I've been wondering "where in the world can I find 2" wide elastic?" Ahhh... now I know!
5/4/09 10:33 PM
Great tip! Jo-ann's must be catching in because I just saw 3" elastic there-sold by the yard. Awesome!
9/20/10 9:24 PM