How to sew an elastic waist casing

Feed elastic through the waistband with a safety pin, overlap and stitch the ends, then let it pull back in and slipstitch the gap closed.

Pinny's tip
Choose good-quality elastic that stretches to about twice its length and snaps back quickly.

What you'll need

• Elastic: the wider the better; at least 1.2 in (3 cm) (1in) wide for comfort.
• Safety pin: to feed the elastic.

Step by step

1. Make and attach the waistband following your project instructions, leaving a gap to feed the elastic through.
2. Cut the elastic long enough to fit your waist comfortably, plus an extra 1.2 in (3 cm) (1¼in) to join the ends.
3. Attach a safety pin to one end and feed the elastic through the gap and round the waistband.
4. When you reach the beginning, pull both ends fully out, overlap them by 1.2 in (3 cm) (1¼in) and pin them together.
5. Sew the ends together with a regular straight stitch. A square with a cross in the middle works well.
6. Let the elastic pull back into the waistband and close the gap with a hand slipstitch.

Common mistakes

• Elastic too narrow. Narrow elastic tends to dig in and can twist inside the waistband.
• Forgetting the join allowance. Add 1.2 in (3 cm) (1¼in) for the overlap.

Watch it done

• How to Sew an Elasticated Waist Channel by Tilly and the Buttons on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.
• Learn How To Sew An ELASTIC WAISTBAND For Shorts, Skirts & Pants In 3 Minutes! @sewquaint by SEW QUAINT. on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.
• How to Sew an Elastic Waistband. Easy Ways of Making Waistband Casings by Sewway on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.

Sources

All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

1. YouTube: How to Sew an Elasticated Waist Channel (Tilly and the Buttons)
2. YouTube: Learn How To Sew An ELASTIC WAISTBAND For Shorts, Skirts & Pants In 3 Minutes! @sewquaint (SEW QUAINT.)
3. YouTube: How to Sew an Elastic Waistband. Easy Ways of Making Waistband Casings (Sewway)