Sponsors
Sponsors
Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 7/15/08 0:48 AM ET
I am about to have a go at applying some clear elastic on a knit top I have completed with an uneven/wavy neckine.
After searching for previous discussions and advice, I still don't really understand how to use it successfully! Can I use it on a finished top? Can I use it on a neckline with a facing or a binding? Do I use any special foot (I understand it may stick)?
Everyone seems to mention clear elastic, but I can't find any step by step explanations on how much to use or how it needs to be stetched ...
Thanks in advance, Natasha
------
After searching for previous discussions and advice, I still don't really understand how to use it successfully! Can I use it on a finished top? Can I use it on a neckline with a facing or a binding? Do I use any special foot (I understand it may stick)?
Everyone seems to mention clear elastic, but I can't find any step by step explanations on how much to use or how it needs to be stetched ...
Thanks in advance, Natasha
------
Natasha
Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Posted on: 7/15/08 4:28 AM ET
In reply to Natasha B
Hi Natasha, I love clear elastic and do have great success with it. (Though I do know some people that hate it). I use my serger to attach it, and the trick is to keep it feeding under the needles but not by the knife. What I do is anchor it under the needles on its own and once there are two or three stitches in to hold it secure I then feed in the fabric. With practice you will gauge how much tension to put on the elastic, more for some things, like swimsuit straps and less for on a cross over knit top. I use it on all shoulder seams of knit tops and it works fine. Don't worry if you don't get it absolutely straight it will still work. On a knit top binding, I serge on the elastic then fold it over and top stitch with a wiggley stretch stich. No 4 on my Bernina Aurora, No 3 on my old Bernina 1230.
Hope that helps.
------
Hope that helps.

------
Life is too short to stuff mushrooms
Posted on: 7/15/08 4:56 AM ET
In reply to Yvonski
Thank you , that is very helpful. I was a little worried about the serger blade and the elastic!
Have you ever used clear elastic to bring in a neckline after the top is finished? I have 2 tops, one with neckline binding and the other with an already turned under facing strip, which both could do with pulling in, if possible. I guess it is pretty difficult to add while maintaining an attractive finish on the right side of the garment.
Natasha
------
Have you ever used clear elastic to bring in a neckline after the top is finished? I have 2 tops, one with neckline binding and the other with an already turned under facing strip, which both could do with pulling in, if possible. I guess it is pretty difficult to add while maintaining an attractive finish on the right side of the garment.
Natasha
------
Natasha
Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Posted on: 7/15/08 5:49 AM ET
In reply to Natasha B
Natasha - I'm with Yvonski on this. I use clear elastic all the time. I use it on shoulder seams, on necklines if I don't use a binding (just zigzag on right side, turn under and either cover stitch or topstitch with a double needle). I've even used it on the armholes using the same method so knits don't gape. It's brilliant stuff. It's good to stretch it through your hands a few times before use.
Every RTW top I've bought for a while has clear elastic sewn into the shoulders - it's just hard to see.
Good luck.
------
Every RTW top I've bought for a while has clear elastic sewn into the shoulders - it's just hard to see.
Good luck.
------
Maree - Sydney, Australia
Posted on: 7/15/08 5:51 AM ET
In reply to Natasha B
Also - there is info on the site - search for clear elastic under knowledgebase (not boards) and you'll get some help.
------
------
Maree - Sydney, Australia
Posted on: 7/15/08 6:27 AM ET
In reply to MareeAlison
Thanks Maree, I can't tell you how long I looked for that information (didn't search under knowledgebase).
Is it just trial and error that tells you how much to stretch out the elastic as you're applying it? Can you rip it out and start again if it's a disaster?!
------
Is it just trial and error that tells you how much to stretch out the elastic as you're applying it? Can you rip it out and start again if it's a disaster?!
------
Natasha
Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Posted on: 7/15/08 7:55 AM ET
I just made a top that called for clear elastic to gather the neckline. I used my teflon foot and it worked really well. A piece of scotch magic tape on the bottom of your presser foot is a cheap way to approximate one if you don't have a teflon foot.
------
------
www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
Posted on: 7/15/08 7:56 AM ET
In reply to Yvonski
Thanks for the great tip on how to use it in the serger.
------
------
www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
Posted on: 7/15/08 8:16 AM ET
In reply to Nancy K
would you use a 6mm or 10mm more:)i'm looking on ebay.I've never used this notion either so i thought i'd give it a try.
michelle j,canada
michelle j,canada
Posted on: 7/15/08 8:30 AM ET
Natasha,
Re whether or not you can apply the elastic to a completed top: It depends.
First, it depends on how badly the neck gapes. If it's really bad, you may not be able to fix it without a lot of puckering. If it's just a little wavy, you might be able to save it. Might.
Also, did you bind or face the neck? If you faced it, you'll have to attach it to the facing and I'm not sure how well it would pull in the top side of your fabric. I'd suggest basting it on and seeing what happens. You might have to attach it to both layers and use this experience as an opportunity to experiment w/ some decorative neckline trim.
If you bound the neck (and the gaping isn't horrid), I've used elastic thread (Gutermann makes one - it's sold w/ the rest of the thread in the states) to fix this w/ decent results. I've used a short running stitch on the inside layer of the binding to GENTLY snug up your neck. It doesn't take much. I used this technique on the Burda top like yours and I was satisfied w/ how it turned out. Not the perfect method, but it saved my top.
On my latest dress (a wrap-style bodice), I used 1/8" regular elastic just inside the seam allowance as I sewed the top together. Measure your pattern piece and then cut the elastic about 1/4-3/8" shorter. When you attach it to your top, just pull it taut to the length of your fabric and stitch in place. So far this is my favorite technique. (I'm in the clear elastic-hater's club...never can make it behave.) I haven't reviewed the dress yet...sorry - no pics.
I've been getting tired of this issue, myself, and have been really working on finding the best PREVENTATIVE methods to fix this.
Eve
------
Re whether or not you can apply the elastic to a completed top: It depends.
First, it depends on how badly the neck gapes. If it's really bad, you may not be able to fix it without a lot of puckering. If it's just a little wavy, you might be able to save it. Might.
Also, did you bind or face the neck? If you faced it, you'll have to attach it to the facing and I'm not sure how well it would pull in the top side of your fabric. I'd suggest basting it on and seeing what happens. You might have to attach it to both layers and use this experience as an opportunity to experiment w/ some decorative neckline trim.

If you bound the neck (and the gaping isn't horrid), I've used elastic thread (Gutermann makes one - it's sold w/ the rest of the thread in the states) to fix this w/ decent results. I've used a short running stitch on the inside layer of the binding to GENTLY snug up your neck. It doesn't take much. I used this technique on the Burda top like yours and I was satisfied w/ how it turned out. Not the perfect method, but it saved my top.
On my latest dress (a wrap-style bodice), I used 1/8" regular elastic just inside the seam allowance as I sewed the top together. Measure your pattern piece and then cut the elastic about 1/4-3/8" shorter. When you attach it to your top, just pull it taut to the length of your fabric and stitch in place. So far this is my favorite technique. (I'm in the clear elastic-hater's club...never can make it behave.) I haven't reviewed the dress yet...sorry - no pics.
I've been getting tired of this issue, myself, and have been really working on finding the best PREVENTATIVE methods to fix this.
Eve
------
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics





![Stylearc Claude Woven Pant Digital Pattern [18-30]](https://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/stylearc/claude/claude_t.jpg)
![Stylearc Ada Knit Top Digital Pattern [18-30]](https://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/stylearc/ada/ada_t.jpg)