Elastic insert on jeans

Elastic insert on jeans

(SML)
Thank you Cea. Your suggestions were very helpful and I will try them
on the next pair of jeans I need to expand.
---
You're welcome. I forgot to add that I always use wide black elastic
for this type of alteration. It is less obvious--not, as another post
pointed out, as ugly and underwear-looking as white elastic. It seems to
look more like part of the design when done in black.
Cea

Elastic insert on jeans


(velma929)
Ive let jeans out in the center back, too. Quite often there's enough
in the flat-felled seam for a let-out, and I just duplicate the
topstitching. One other thing makes it a tiny bit easier: I open up the
waistband flat, and cut it on the diagonal. Then I add a diagonally cut
piece to lengthen the waistband. The seams in the waistband are
staggered. I find it easier to sew over the multiple layers this way,
since the waistband seams don't all line up, one atop the other. (Can
you tell I've done this more than a few times? All you out there
chuckling...just wait till you hit middle-age!)
---
Now, that's interesting. The diagonal cut would build a bit more
flex/stretch into the alteration, and that _is_ a good thing on the
middle-aged figure, which can fluctuate on a daily basis.
I've always tried for a very straight cut through the w/band, then I
hide the pieced seams under a couple of freshly-minted belt carriers. (I
think I have scraps from every pair of jeans I've ever hemmed for
clients, so I can match just about any shade/tint/color of jean.)
Cea

On this same thread, I wonder if elastic would take dye well, and, if
so, what type of dye should use? Cold water dye?
I have an enormous roll of 2 & 1/2 inch wide elastic, and it occurs to
me that waist alterations would look even better if I could dye some of
the elastic shades of denim blue.
I'll eventually experiment, but hate to waste a package of dye on a
hunk of elastic when I know I can rummage through the closet and find
something else that needs to be my favorite shade of blue.
Cea

I'll eventually experiment, but hate to waste a package of dye on a
hunk of elastic when I know I can rummage through the closet and find
something else that needs to be my favorite shade of blue.

Well, Cea, why don't you dye something else, and just add a hunk of elastic in
the dye bath? Whenever I dye anything black, I always throw in all my faded
black cotton socks.

Rit does make a denim blue dye, by the way.

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

scribbled on a scrap of paper:
On this same thread, I wonder if elastic would take dye well, and,
if so, what type of dye should use? Cold water dye?
I have an enormous roll of 2 & 1/2 inch wide elastic, and it occurs
to me that waist alterations would look even better if I could dye
some of the elastic shades of denim blue.
I'll eventually experiment, but hate to waste a package of dye on a
hunk of elastic when I know I can rummage through the closet and find
something else that needs to be my favorite shade of blue.
Cea

probably not, AFAIK, only natural fibers take dye well.

Penny

wrote:
On this same thread, I wonder if elastic would take dye well, and,
if so, what type of dye should use? Cold water dye?
I have an enormous roll of 2 & 1/2 inch wide elastic, and it occurs
to me that waist alterations would look even better if I could dye
some of the elastic shades of denim blue.
I'll eventually experiment, but hate to waste a package of dye on a
hunk of elastic when I know I can rummage through the closet and find
something else that needs to be my favorite shade of blue.

If it's cotton-covered elastic it will dye beautifully with Procion MX fibre
reactive dyes, available from Dharma Trading (among others - you may be able
to buy small packets at your local craft store. Their website is
www.dharmatrading.com and the fibre reactives are he
http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3796-AA.shtml. You'll also need soda
ash and cooking salt. You can dye a small amount in a plastic baggie or a
small container, or a larger amount in the washer.

Cea, there are instructions on Dharma's website for hand-dyeing, but if you
want me to hold your hand just email me.

Polyester doesn't take dye well. You could try Rit but it might not be a
very deep colour and it won't be permanent.

Sally

I bought some wide black elastic with instruction from Kathy Ruddy at a
sewing show for this. I still have not tried it. She has instructions to
add this to a pattern to add the elastic as you construct the garment.
Perhaps you can adapt it to an existing pair of pants.

http://www.getcreativeshow.com/semin...ic_inserts.htm

Joy S-E

Has anyone slit down a jean's waistband and inserted an elastic panel to
enlarge the waist? It ends up as a v-shaped insert and makes the waist
more
comfortable.