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Member since 6/29/15
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Posted on: 7/3/18 1:26 PM ET
Okay first, I'm totally new to sewing and I'm trying to sew a pair of boxers. Should be easy, right? At least that's what the videos show online. After already sewing the front to the back and having to rip out stitches, now I can't get the waist right. My wife is out of town, so I'm trying to solve this problem myself.

I'm using an elastic waistband. I'm using a zig-zag stitch that my wife suggested before she left. It's a Pfaff sewing machine, so there are about 10 million stitches to choose from (but that doesn't mean I know how to select any particuar one).

Every time I try to sew the elastic in with the machine, and I stretch the elastic as I'm feeding it through the machine, the waistband comes out too large! I've watched videos online, and they don't seem to have this problem. They just stretch the elastic and sew it in with a zig-zag stitch. When I do it, it's almost like the elastic is stuck being slightly stretched out when I finish sewing it. There is a little give to it, but it doesn't snap back to the original size. I'm getting really tired of ripping out stitches. And now there are little bits of thread everywhere!

What am I doing wrong? Am I feeding it through the machine wrong? I took a look at some items my wife sewed, and she used a straight stitch that expanded. I can't seem to find that on this machine.
  
Member since 5/2/09
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Posted on: 7/3/18 1:56 PM ET
In reply to BlackTie
It might be just too large, since sometimes when you stitch on top of elastic it really does gets stretched out, even never to recover or return all the way to how it was before that. In that case you might need to use a smaller length of it, to begin with. But, before picking it all out, try an experiment at the ironing board instead. Hold hot iron with water in it so you got lots of steam, over it maybe an inch away, without touching the elastic at all, and really blast it a super lot, and really good, with just some steam there. Since elastic is rubbery, maybe that will shrink it up a bit, and make it kind of recover, and shrink up a bit, more to how it was before you stitched over it. If even that does not work though, maybe you need a shorter piece of elastic. Just to even compensate for the stitching over and into it. It is really hard to guess how much elastic to cut for something, if just stitching on it, makes it more stretched out.
  
Member since 10/21/05
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Posted on: 7/3/18 2:01 PM ET
You might need shorter piece of elastic. You can't always trust the pattern, sometimes you need a longer or shorter piece depending on how things fit on your body.

Or, you may need an elastic with greater recovery. Next time you purchase elastic, try stretching a few different ones - some are stronger/harder/softer than others. You may just need one that "snaps back" or recovers, better.
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Member since 6/29/15
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Posted on: 7/3/18 3:03 PM ET
I was afraid you'd say that. That means I need to rip out the stitches where I sewed the elastic together. Ugh!
  
Member since 5/20/03
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Posted on: 7/3/18 3:33 PM ET
What kind of elastic are you using? Will the elastic show on the inside of the boxers? Several years ago, I made some shorts for myself using pajama elastic, which did not stretch out when I sewed it to the fabric. In fact, I am wearing one of those pairs of shorts right now and the elastic still has a lot of stretch. Pajama elastic is made to be sewn over. I used straight stitching.
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When they go low, we go high. Michelle Obama

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Member since 5/20/03
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Posted on: 7/3/18 3:34 PM ET
What kind of elastic are you using? Will the elastic show on the inside of the boxers? Several years ago, I made some shorts for myself using pajama elastic, which did not stretch out when I sewed it to the fabric. In fact, I am wearing one of those pairs of shorts right now and the elastic still has a lot of stretch. Pajama elastic is made to be sewn over. I used straight stitching.
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When a person tells you that you hurt them, you don't get to decide that you didn't. Louis C.K.

When they go low, we go high. Michelle Obama

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. Ernest Hemingway
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 7/3/18 3:36 PM ET
In reply to BlackTie
There are several different types of elastics, meant for various purposes. Some elastics don't mind being sewn through, like knitted elastics, and most non-roll elastics. Others, like braided elastic, really grow when stitched through and don't recover.

Here is some information about different types of elastics:
http://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/6_145_elastic_notion_that_gives.pdf

Also: though it sounds like it might be a bit wasteful... "That means I need to rip out the stitches where I sewed the elastic together. Ugh!" -- no, you can also just cut out the section where you sewed the ends together. Elastic isn't that expensive, and often not that critical in length that 1/2" less really makes a huge difference.

  
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Posted on: 7/3/18 4:14 PM ET
If it's an elastic/fabric combo that your wife has used successfully in the past, I have two thoughts:

1. What is your zigzag stitch length? If it's too short then they may be bunching up on each other and stopping the elastic from springing back.

2. Are you stretching both the elastic and the fabric? You want to stretch it just enough so that it's the same length as the fabric and not more, so if you have a stretchy fabric you may be just overstretching.

In any case, I'd definitely play around with some scraps of fabric and elastic - much easier than picking out stitches!
-- Edited on 7/3/18 at 4:15 PM --
  
Member since 1/15/17
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Posted on: 7/3/18 4:35 PM ET
Is the recovery of the elastic that you ripped out the same as it was before (unused) or did it change?

By how much did you stretch the elastic when stitching it to the shorts? Did you compare the length of the elastic to the circumference of the waist of the shorts to get an idea by how little or much the elastic needs to be stretched? I'd mark the elastic in quarters and pin or clip them to CF, side seams (L + R) and CB to be sure you don't "overstretch" the elastic while sewing. If you attach it too stretched, it cannot fully recover.

-- Edited on 7/3/18 at 4:36 PM --
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For 2019 committed to:
- Continue using what I have (fabric, notions, patterns, books, mags, tips & tricks etc.).
- Strive to re-use 52 items from my upcycle cupboard.
- Continue purchasing fabric and patterns mindfully.
- Continue tracking my fabric stash.
- Resume tracking my pattern stash.
- Continue with RTW fast. Exceptions: bras, socks, panty hoses, shoes. Plus anything that coincidentally crosses my way and is a truly mindful purchase.
- Prioritize replacing some plain wardrobe basics (pillars or backbones) that are close or past their lifespan over adding fun, more exciting garments that I, strictly speaking, do not need (nice-to-haves).

2018 Summary:
- Used successfully what I had and bought mindfully, i.e. fabrics.
- Got a very good grip on my stash (measured and catalogued almost all of it) but failed to sew 10% down (got 9.28% done).
- Did not meet goal to make 50 projects (new, finish or re-use UFOs, upcycle, mend, repair).
- Key take away for 2019: Set fewer number-specific goals. My sewing should be driven by needs and love, not by achieving numbers.
  
Member since 6/29/15
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Posted on: 7/3/18 9:56 PM ET
Once I removed it, the elastic went back to its normal size. I did stretch it to match the fabric after pinning it. I might take out an inch or so and try it again.

My zig-zag stitch length was the default for the machine, I think it was 4.0. The fabric was woven, so there wasn't really any stretch.
  
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