How to Put Elastic in a Peasant Blouse

Use a safety pin to easily thread elastic through the neckline of a peasant blouse.

Peasant blouses are loose-fitting, simple garments that feature a feminine, ruffled and stretchy neckline. The trademark neckline is constructed by threading elastic through a casing stitched to the underside of the neck edge. Guiding the floppy elastic through the long casing length is tricky. But whether you're making your own peasant blouse or repairing a favorite blouse that has loosened or torn neckline elastic, you'll find you can slip the elastic through the casing with ease with the help of two safety pins.

Things You'll Need

• Elastic, in a width slightly smaller than the neckline casing width
• 2 safety pins with heads small enough to easily slip into neckline casing
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Needle and thread or sewing machine

Instructions

1. Measure the neckline with a tape measure. Multiply the measurement by .65, then cut a section of elastic to that length.

2. Pin on end of the elastic to the inside neck edge just below the opening of the neckline casing using a safety pin. Attach another safety pin to the opposite end of the elastic.

3. Insert the head of the pin into the casing. Move the elastic through the casing by manipulating and pulling the safety pin through the fabric: Hold the small end of the safety pin in place, push the casing fabric over it, then slide the casing back while holding the pin head in place. Continue this process until the safety pin pulls the elastic out the end of the casing. Secure this end of the elastic to the inside of the blouse by attaching the safety pin just below the casing.

4. Try on the blouse. Pull more of the elastic length out of the casing if the neckline is too loose; cut off the excess elastic. If it is too tight, remove one safety pin, then sew an additional length of elastic onto the elastic, then allow the extra elastic to slide into the casing. Secure the end to the blouse so that you won't lose the end inside the casing.

5. Remove the safety pins, then overlap the elastic ends.Machine-stitch or hand-stitch the ends of the elastic securely together. Stretch the neckline gently until the stitched ends of the elastic pull completely into the casing. Hand-stitch the opening closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Some peasant-style blouses also have elastic at the sleeve ends and the waistline. You can use the same technique to thread elastic through those casings.

References

• Things Of Cloth:Adult-size Peasant Blouse Tutorials
• Prudent Baby: Peasant Blouse
• "Sew with Sara: PJs, Pillows, Bags & More--Fun Stuff to Keep, Give, Sell!"; Sara Trail; 2009

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish