Best Way to Sew Elastic for Underwear
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- Comparing Fold Over Elastic (FOE), Picot Edge Elastic and Braided Elastic for sewing underwear using every combination of the usual methods to find the maximum amount of stretch! It's not about the elastic or the fabric this time!
Time Stamps
0:00 Intro
3:05 Variables
4:34 Elastic Types
5:19 Sewing Methods Used
8:33 How to Calculate Stretch
10:38 Stitches and Machines
11:03 Materials Used
12:21 The method is most Important for this Experiment
13:51 Experiment parameters besides sewing methods and elastic type
14:30 The Results
15:53 How I used FOE (Fold Over Elastic) as Picot
16:21 My Underwear Examples
20:09 Three Point Zig Zag ( a stretch stitch on a home sewing machine)
20:39 Why I didn't include the percentages
Links to other Videos:
Full Experiment here: • Sewing Underwear: Pico...
How to Sew Picot Edge Elastic: • How to Sew Picot Elast...
How to Sew Fold Over Elastic (FOE): • How To Sew Fold Over E...
How to Sew Underwear: • How to Sew Women's Und...
Resources for Elastic:
Fold Over Elastic I'm using (pre-folded):
Minerva Affiliate Link: www.minerva.com/mp/1135206/sc...
Picot Edge Elastic:
Minerva affiliate link: www.minerva.com/mp/1135218/pi...
Wawak is a good place to start however as of this video they're pretty low on stock: www.wawak.com/Garment-Constru...
Lots of viewers love Stitch Love Studio too! stitchlovestudio.com/
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Happy sewing!
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About Sew Sew Live
Hi I'm Saremy!
My sewing style is a combination of garment industry factory floor speediness combined with some of the nice details of home sewing. It's not about being fast but about being efficient and confident. There's more than one way to get there!
I launched a private community space called Sew Sew Guild with skill building opportunities, workshops and a live call in show! Check it out here: sewsewguild.com/
Check out my Welcome video pinned to my landing page to see a glimpse of my background and experience. Currently I like sewing live with you, helping with your projects, talking construction, fit, pattern drafting and all things in between. Everyone is welcome here! No matter your ability, size, race, religion, orientation, or gender. All curious humans are welcome here! Why do I do this? I just want to share the skills I've learned over the years while I continue to learn even more!
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I love your format where you have a camera on your face so that you can talk directly with your audience while at the same time, you have a camera on your work surface for demos. I also love (and thank you) for "showing" your work at the machine. A lot of TH-camrs, tend to point by telling you where to sew (here and there) or speeding up the video. I love how you sew along in real time as a demonstration. I am definitely subscribed and gave you a thumbs up. Your content is very much appreciated. You are providing a great service with your quality content.
Thank you. It’s not easy getting it all to work all the time but that was my goal. I wanted to show it from my perspective and as clear as possible. Because I use four cameras, I’m limited to the type I can use so there are some drawbacks. But I’m glad you appreciate the current setup!
same! Thank you for the details and how you set this up.
I love the empirical approach. You're like a Victorian scientist.
Haha! I admit if I could have a job experimenting -I’d snap it up! I used to do that as a drafter and it’s really satisfying!
I was always the student that asked "why" and I have a hard time taking sewing lessons/classes because many instructors don't go into the why. I thank you for going into the why!
I love the why too! It aggravated bosses I’ve had until they got to me and knew I’d give them exactly what they wanted if I knew why they wanted it and what they were looking for. And I learn things so much faster and they stick when I figure out things work!
A great video! We will share this for training in our studio to introduce sewing concepts. A tip for you and others here in the comments is that we use a pull type spring scale to measure elastics stretch strength for a given length for a pattern.
Well thanks! I’m glad it’ll be useful! And that’s very good info about the spring scale! I’ve known about these but didn’t know the name. When I worked in knits we were more concerned about shrinkage since we garment dyed. Thanks for that tidbit!
Hi there. I've searched high and low for the information you've shared. Thank you sew much! Had to make a whole other folder for the videos with more detailed information on sewing. Yours made it. Thank you again!
Yay! Glad it’s helpful!
Hi love, love, love your scientific method. Finally, someone defines the terms she is using and shows many methods of sewing as well as the results. Thank you.
I love a good experiment! I'm glad you do too!
I'm just beginning a "sew your own undies" adventure and this is just the info I need! Thanks!
Ooh! Have fun! It’s a fun rabbit hole.
Only just found ur channel and the timing is perfect I always find it harder to find underwear that's comfy I lost a lot of weight so have baggy skin and like it to be tucked away snug so I ent up buying high waist swim pants as they are most supportive and comfortable but as u can imagine using those as underwear is costly so I have some great jersey that feels thick and supportive so I wud like to make some with that
It’s so comfortable to wear what we make when we get to make it exactly how we like! Happy sewing!
Thanks so much for doing these experiments, so useful! Love the TH-cam sewing community!!!
I live doing experiments! I’m glad others like them too!
Thanks Saremy doing all the hard work to make it easier for us to decide!
My pleasure!
This is what i've been looking for! Thank you for the video!
Wonderful! I do love a good experiment!
I really enjoyed this video!! You are always so thorough and thoughtful Saremy with your content. I’ve dappled a little bit with underwear and found a pattern I like but I have been frustrated by the elastic application and picking which elastic to use. Thank you so much for your time to share this!
Thanks for watching Rachel! I’m glad it’s helpful!
Using the FOE as a picot is such a great idea.
I love the way coverstitch looks for finishing, and although I haven't tested it formally like this, using wooly nylon in the looper of the coverstitch on a really low tension (1 for threading and 0 for sewing) while stretching as you sew seems to produce more than enough stretch. I haven't felt anything bottom out when I use the underwear, and it looks great!
I truly appreciate your methodical approach to sewing methods, so glad (sew glad?) I found your channel recently!
I’d love to try wooly nylon some time! Thanks for the reminder. I’m glad you like the nerdy approach too! 😊
What a great video. Very interesting. This is my third one of yours to watch about sewing the elastic on undies. I’m new to sewing underwear. I just purchased some FOE on Amazon. I wasn’t sure how to use it. I’ve made my first pair and folded it over the leg opening and stitched using a regular machine straight stitch. Now I know, 1. Leave a side seam open- much easier! 2. Use a zigzag or coverstitch to attach. Videos like this are so useful. Bottom line I guess is use what works best for you, and do it the way you like and feels/looks good to you in the end. Can’t wait to make more!
That’s awesome! It’s certainly a niche of sewing you can dive deep in to. Have fun!
Yes! I have been looking for this as well! Thank you! This us really helpful!
Awesome!
Great video Saremy. I’m tempted to try the already folded foe method serged and topstitched. It’s really hard to find the already folded foe. Wider elastic at the waist versus legs is also something that works great for me. Thank you for doing this work for us. 💗
I sometimes like the wider stuff at the waist. I used to like a firm underwear but now I’m enjoying it feeling relaxed. I get that already folded stuff from Minerva. Shipping is free and it’s not too slow either!
Thanks for the clear info on the best method Saremy. Now to test it out on my body for comfort levels.
Good luck Christine!
Loved this video, really easy to understand and covers the points that others don't. I learnt to sew at TH-cam University, this has defiantly been useful. Thank you
So glad it helped!
I’m a tailor now for several years and I’m going to try my hand at making underwear 🩲 I found this to be a very informative video. I have all the machines I need to do it. I’ll try a few methods and see what I like best. Thank you 👍👍
Oh this will be a breeze for you! I’m not an underwear expert. But I like figuring out what the ideal set up is for my machine situation. Making underwear is like eating potato chips! Quick and addictive!
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, all the questions i had you answered for me and i wanted you to know how much its appreciated.
Thank you very much for letting me know. I’m so glad it was useful for you. That’s what it’s all about. Thanks for watching.
Great video! Thanks for sharing the experiment.
Thanks for watching. 😀
So much useful information! Thank you so much! ❤
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
I just "sewed" a pair and if yall saw them 😂😂😂😂. A hot mess. This video popped up just in time.
I have a few of those in my drawer. Trust me. 😅 It seems like when they go well it’s the fast and easiest thing to sew. And then they don’t go well-they really don’t go well. 😆
I can imagine what my first attempt will look like 😂 practice makes perfect. Good to make cotton undies, they’ll probably last a lot longer than the bought ones.
Thank you, I’ve never thought about making my own nickers. 😊
Experiments are great. Attaching elastic to underwear is definitely a skill that needs to be learned. Perfect practice makes perfect. Johanna at The Last Stitch has some great techniques for foldover elastic.
Thanks for watching!
While scrolling around I saw this and stopped to watch because you referred to this as underwear and not the dreaded, squeamish inducing 🤢😵💫 "p" word. Great video, pleasant voice and I've subscribed 😀 Thank you!!
[btw, there is a reason for that reaction when you google it...I finally had to look it up because of reactions others have too].
One thing I’ve learned is that every word for underwear triggers SOME one. As long as we know what we’re talking about we can get stuff done!
I never know how much percent less I need sewing the elastic waist-band or at the legs/hip
Try the elastic on! The waist can be the same as where you’re sewing it to. Instead of going by percentage, go by practical. Wrap the elastic around your leg where your current leg elastic sits on you. You can always baste it on and check it out first.
Makes me feel better the we agree zig zag is the best. I thought I was partially drawn for zig zag because in my opinion looks nicer, but also the performance. Thank you, thank you for doing this experiment and sharing your honest thoughts and results. I truly appreciate it.
Yess! I like the way it looks too. I use to be so funny about something looking home made but with zig zag on underwear I love it. And I’m over that snobbery! 😆
Thank you for the great helpful video Saremy. I have been thinking about making my undies, and this video is very clear and help me a lot !
Nice! I do love a good experiment. 🙂 Thanks for watching Lily! Nice to see you in the Guild too!
Thanks Saremy this was really helpful. I have a ton of foe in my stash but gave up on using it since I didn’t like the results. Next time I make undies I’ll try using it the way you did i. e. Sewing on the way you sew picot elastic.
It’s nice to use up stuff we already paid for!
Great video, thanks!
Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching.
Great video!
Thanks Kathleen!
Great video Saremy, thanks
Nice! Glad you liked it!
Underwear is next on my to-do list; fortunate for me that the stretchiest was zig-zag + zig-zag, because I don't own a serger, overlocker, or coverstitcher!
Funny how the simple things are tried and true!
I never use my overllocker for knicker s. Triple.zig zag is so pretty !.
If you ever need to hem jersey, the best way is a twin stretch needle in a sewi ng machine. The bobbin thread goes in a zig zag between the two rows, its stretchy and looks the same as a coverstich on the front .
great video! Thank you!
My pleasure. Happy sewing!
Interesting stuff thanks
You bet.
Great great great video! Thanks
My pleasure! Thanks for watching.
Thank you ❤
You're welcome 😊
Thanks!
My pleasure!
Love this
☺️
Interesting!
😊
thanks for this great and informative video! I have 1 question: in my experience my serger and coverstitch machine skip (sometimes many) stitches when I sew elastic. So I'm little afraid to use that method now. You have any idea what goes wrong there?
That could be a few things- have you changed your needles recently? Make sure you always have good needles in there. I change mine for every couple of hours of seeing the needle has done. If I Serge a whole garment together, that means I changing them ever 2-3 garments. Some elastics are harder to play nice with too. I like braided. Lastly try out different threads. Nothing too heavy. Tex 27 which is pretty standard for most home serving thread like Maxilock.
Im going to guess it’s the needles though. That’s a classic sign they just need to be changed. Hopefully that solves it!
Love this. I am always a bit confused about the best stitch width and length when zigzagging… what settings do you prefer?
I usually make it wider and ‘longer’ than my default. I like it to fill in the space of the seam allowance a bit more but it’s still not very wide. You could always do a little test to see if one works better than another or see which one you like visually. There isn’t a hard and fast rule even if someone says there is. (Except not too narrow and not too short or tight). I like it wider and longer so it’s faster to sew too!
Hi. Where did you get the fold over elastic that looks like picot on the edge? It is very pretty. I am trying to draft underwear from a pair that I like and it is a fun challenge right now.
Ooh have fun! The pattern I use is a copy too. The elastic is linked in the description.
@@SewSewLive Thank you.
Lovely video. I was certain Zigzag will win. I am new in sewing but still struggling to find the best zigzag stitche's width and length measurement. Could you please advised what was the stitches setting for your zigzag?. Thank you. Kady
Oh gosh I don’t remember. But I’d select something that fits within the allowance of your elastic and seam. Nothing to squished lengthwise.
@@SewSewLive Thank you very much for your reply. No books or articles tell you the correct stitches width and length to attach elastic, and some settings come either bigger or smaller, or just unsatisfactory. I will keep trying playing with this. Thank you.
My pleasure! 😊
Can you recommend a video on how to use self fabric to band your underwear without having to use elastic?
Let’s see, I’ve done this in live streams but not as a dedicated how to. My tips: 1) cut the waistband on the cross grain (or stretchiest grain). So it’s stretchiest the direction going around your waist (the length of the band). 2) you can make the waistband as wide as you like, I’d cut it 2-4” shorter than the total circumference it’s sewing to (so if the waist edge measures 40, I’d cut it 39). 3) fold it in half wrong sides together and overlock to the underwear right sides together.
Now, if you have some fusible tricot, you could try fusing it to stabilize the band and make it easier to handle. Cut the tricot so the stretchiest direction is the same as the stretchiest direction of your waistband -you’ll have to cut it in 2 pieces probably. Good luck! I like these waistbands a lot. They’re my favorite. Sometimes I also put clear elastic in the waistband to give it more umph so they stay up better.
@SewSewLive Thank you...Thank you. I'll give it a go.
I’ve got that fabric! Made my favorite t shirt then scored ,ore and I’m hoarding it! The sharks.
I’ve seen it in a rayon too! It’s so fun.
I sometimes get a wavy finish on the waist band- is that because of the stitch I use or the foot pressure perhaps?
Are you using a serger or a zig zag? For a serger, make sure the differential feed dial didn’t get turned. For a zig zag, it could be the pressure of your presser foot is too firm.
If it’s neither of those things, make sure you’re not over-stretching the waist and elastic. It’s quite easy to do thinking you are adding to the stretch.
@@SewSewLive thank you, I think it was foot pressure. I was using a 3 part zig zag but I’ve just made another pair using a short zig zag and that was better. I copied my favourite Sloggi pants and they’ve come out great!
Awesome! Nice job!
How would this method change if I were to use cotton fabric instead?
Hi! What do you mean by cotton fabric? I think the fabrics I’m using are all cotton or rayon knit. I scrap busted all my knits. Do you mean a woven? And not a knit?
If you mean non-stretch cotton for the garment, it depends whether you want an elastic edge or unstretchy binding.
I like the FOE elastic it’s easier for me
It’s a great elastic!
I found your video very helpful but I think some really important value would have been added by using something other than your scrap material. Contrasting material and thread would have been amazing and so much more helpful.
Thanks for watching! I didn’t set out to make a video about this topic. During a live stream sewing underwear we experimented. And we did an in-depth experiment. I thought it could be helpful to consolidate these results and make a stand alone video. It wasn’t a how-to. I do appreciate visibility is important in How Tos and I hope you’ll check out another one of my videos if you’re indeed looking for that kind of content and give me another shot. Thanks again. I appreciate the feedback.
Quick question, when you overlock the elastic, doesn't some of the elastic get cut off? Or do you put the knife in the down position?
I don’t trim the elastic (and I wouldn’t recommend it since the elastic has a lot of live threads once it gets cut). You can put your knife down if you have that feature. Or just sew carefully. I like the knife since it cleans up any threads.
Interesting you didn't mention Knitted Elastic.
I prefer Serging Knitted Elastic on with an Elastic Foot (Baby Lock has the best Elastic foot), then flip & Cover Stitch with my Juki Industrial.
Braided Elastic changes it's shape when you pierce it with a needle/add tension.
Well yes. However, Im pretty sure I mentioned that I was using the elastics I have on hand because I wanted to use them up. It was a stash busting project.
And I have a favorite way to sew it on too-but it doesn’t mean it’s gives the best stretch. That was the experiment. I hate using zig zag if I’m being honest. But it’s definitely stretchier.
And we all don’t have Juki industrial coverstitch machines. 😉 I bought the machines I have because they’re all affordable. I specifically picked them so they’re common. I even downgraded my serger and coverstitch to these.
I feel like I’m just tearing apart your comment. Sorry. 😅 Tone doesn’t shine in text but I’m just being academic.
Lastly I do not like knitted elastic. It’s weak and stretches out if you’re going to talk knit vs braided. Braided is far more stable and lasts years. I know a lot of the descriptions describe it differently but in factory settings braided is better. Knitted is also less consistent stretch. From roll to roll and within the roll. Which in my opinion is intolerable if you’re production sewing. Or making a lot of one item.
That being said isn’t picot knit elastic? So in the case of underwear it has nice stretch. But it does get stretched out and it fails far sooner. I never said I use braided with underwear making. FOE is more comfortable. But it’s not as stretchy. Which I went over in the video.
Happy sewing!
@@SewSewLive Wow! That was a lot of information in addition to that which was in the video. Thank you. Very helpful.
I like to use FOE elastic it’s easier to work with
I like it too!
Where can I find the fold over a pecut elastic 1 inch ???? I’ve been trying to find it and there’s just a plain fold over kind with no decorative edge and I need the decorative edge please anybody has that info?
There’s a lot of places to get it. I don’t see 1” very often. Maybe on Bra Builders or Stitch Love Studio or Bra Makers Supply. But if you look in the description of the video there are elastic resources linked.
@@SewSewLive ok ty let me look into that link because I really need it if you have any further info that you wanna share I would appreciate it I love your videos ✊🏻
Have you tried searching for fold over elastic? There are many places that carry it. Just be aware that the width they specify is most likely the unfolded width not the finished width.
@@SewSewLive The best one that I found was in Amazon but it does not have to picot edges., i’m looking for something very feminine and I found a place in Brazil but it takes almost 6 weeks for delivery and I’m looking to support USA first if you have any ideas please share.
I understand. Beyond the six or seven places I’ve mentioned between the comments here and the links in the description I don’t know any more. I’m sorry. You might ask those places if they’ll get it back in stock if it’s out or if they’ll every carry it. I just don’t know. Good luck.
How do you not pre cut the elastic please explain idk if it was in this video or another, but I heard you say it and I’ve been trying to use the method and it keeps coming out way too tight or too loose !?!This is my first time committing to using stretch fabric and elastic. I have been avoiding it and working with only wovens because I’m self taught and I just don’t understand stretch and I am struggling so bad, please help me what’s the best way to do it I want to make multiple sizes eventually and I can’t even make my own size fit !!!!!
Hi! It IS really hard! Knits are easy to wear but they have a lot of variables. One thing I cannot stress enough is every knit and every elastic may vary in stretch from one another. So if you want to figure this out, you may need to figure it out on one fabric type and one elastic type. Buy enough to give yourself the best chance for success- it takes several to get it right- just like making pancakes. Then you’ll know if you’re using a fabric or elastic that stretches more or less than the one you nailed down, you’ll need to adjust it.
Here’s a few tips: 1) pre-stretch the elastic before sewing it on-just give it a few tugs, 2) Try measuring the leg opening on underwear you own 3)what does the pattern tell you? Can you use their measurement suggestions? 4) When it comes to leg elastic, i sort of know how long I need it to be- but it took me a few pairs to figure it out. Now I don’t cut it because I like having something to hold on to when I sew it on. You can mark your length on your elastic. So I’ll mark a 21” section of the elastic and then make sure when I go on to the leg hole I start with one mark and end at the other then trim off the excess. It’s really hard to hold a pre-cut length! It will keep snapping back in to the machine 5) Have you sewn anything else in knit? If not, you really jumped in to the frying pan with underwear. It took me many pairs to get it right- and of course my fabric isn’t the same between them and they all feel a little different. But I like making them to use up scraps. And you can do it! Just give yourself the time and materials to figure it out 6) I’m not the best at this! you might find someone who specializes in lingerie sewing for better tips. Just be careful that some who specialize in this may use lots of specific machines and stuff. A zig zag is great! Buy nice elastic (i think there’s usually a few resources for this in the description).
Once you get your pair nailed down and the fabric you like, you’ll breeze through these- but it may take 8 pairs. But by then you’ll be teaching me! Good luck!
@@SewSewLive oh my gosh, you beautiful human thank you so much for your reply and such a helpful reply at that… This is the first time I’m working with it so I guess I did enter the frying pan. I do tend to do that with most of my projects and I can usually figure it out but this really gets me because I do have somewhat a learning curve when it comes to mathematics… What I love about sewing is you can eyeball and hack a lot of stuff which I do, but this is a whole different story… I’m using a cotton Pointelle fabric which was expensive so I stopped and I went and got a pretty similar stretch fabric that was cheap. I can practice on and I’m using a picot with a plush backing … and when you say to pre-stretch the elastic do you mean just to get a feel for its stretch or do you mean stretch it while sewing? I find you so correct whenever I tried to pre-cut it. It’s so hard to hold so when I saw you were doing this, I said that seems like something I would like I for some reason didn’t think of marking length on it which I’m definitely going to try now I think that will help me immensely! I do tend to overthink things get frustrated and then not know how to move forward lol but thank you for all of your guidance!
@violetmoon397 I love that you got some test fabric! Yes! Give yourself the gift of learning first. It’s hard to do anything exactly how you want the very first time! I recently went to an American Sewing Guild fabric sale to get knit for samples. It’s was awesome. So when I say stretch it I mean just that, stretch it! Because it sort of needs that. Do a test to see that I mean. Measure the elastic. Then stretch it wide. Then measure it again. You’ll see it got larger. It won’t keep doing this, it just needs a pre-stretch. I sometimes forget to do this so it’s not the end of the world. But it gets rid of one variable. Good luck!
@@SewSewLive I must do the stretch!!! I will try it tomorrow I had quite a day of sewing I decided to try to make a tube top I figured it was easier than the underwear to start and just when I thought it fit me, I exhaled and the top fell down hahah so my measurements were wrong I guess idk how but I didn’t pre-stretch the elastic like your saying so maybe that will help , so onto the fourth mockup/test run!
I wish I had something like the American sewing guides near me I live in the northeast and there’s mostly quilters here so apparel fabric is so hard to find and when you do it’s just not great all synthetic Everyone says I have to go to the city and I can’t. Shopping online is so tuff but at least there’s that.
I love those sharks undies!
Haha! It’s such a great fabric!
What ive noticed since ive started sewing is that my thongs elastic is serged on first then folded over an zig zagged donw into place.
That works great! Just remember, factories have specific machines to sew certain steps all at once. And you do what you can with what youve got!
I didn't know Gweneth Paltrow knew how to sew :)
Is this a compliment? 😂😂😂