How to Measure Waistband Elastic When Making Pants

Pants with an elastic waistband are not only comfortable, they are easy to make. An elastic waistband does not require making an enclosure with a zipper and other hardware. In fact, no hardware is required. Simply measure the waist of the person who will wear the pants, add in the seam allowance, and you will be ready to thread the elastic through the casing to finish the waistband of the pants.

Things You'll Need

• Elastic (1 or 1.5 inches wide)
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Instructions

1. Wrap the tape measure around the bare skin of the waist at the point where the person will wear the waistband of the pants. Make sure the tape measure is snug around the waist.

2. Add the seam allowance you will use when you sew the elastic: typically an inch.

3. Thread the elastic through the casing of the waistband. When you have it threaded all the way through, overlap the two ends by one-half inch and stitch the elastic ends together securely. Stitch back and forth through the elastic three or four times to make sure the elastic will not come apart.

4. Finish sewing the waistband by closing the hole through which you inserted the elastic.

Tips & Warnings

• By measuring snugly around the waist and cutting the elastic to this measurement, the pants will be comfortable at the waist, yet there will be enough stretch in the elastic for the hips.

References

• Independent Living Institute: How to Make an Elastic Waistband