How To Use Buttonhole Elastic
With school just starting, we've had to do LOTS of altering of Jacobs school pants. He is tall and big - only 5 years old, but size 6 clothes don't fit around the tummy, while size 8 are a little bit big around the middle, as well as too long. And, because you just can't have a child starting school with pants (size 6) that fit so tight he can't get them fastened, the only alternative was to alter the next size - size 8.
We all know how to shorten the legs on pants and shorts, but the "too large waist" can be an issue, especially if you're talking school uniforms or jeans, and not something you're making from scratch and can alter the pattern before doing the sewing.
Well, thank goodness for Buttonhole Elastic!!! This is the best stuff since sliced bread!! Here's a picture of buttonhole elastic -- then we'll move on to what to do with it.
Take the regular waist band on the pants / shorts -- cut a small "buttonhole" type slit on the backside of the band, just behind the first belt loop on both sides (the slit has to be 3/4" wide in order to slip the buttonhole elastic through). Hand stitch the slit opening all the way around to keep it from raveling. Sew a small button about 1/2 inch from the openings for the elastic. The buttons will need to be between the slits and the center front of the pants.
Cut a length of buttonhole elastic about 1" smaller than the child's waist, then thread the elastic through the openings from one side to the other. Button the buttonhole elastic to the buttons on each side. Now, try the pants / shorts on the child and pull in the buttonhole elastic on each side until the pants waist band "gathers" to fit. Button the buttonhole elastic into the appropriate buttonhole to secure the elastic and the waist, as you can see in the following picture.
You can see how much we've had to gather the waist on Jacob's pants and how the elastic is secured with the buttons. Now he's ready for this year, and most likely will be able to wear the pants next year as we adjust the buttonhole elastic to make the waist a little larger, and let out the hems in the garments.
You can find buttonhole elastic on ebay at very reasonable prices -- just click on the link and do a search for buttonhole elastic.
Buttonhole elastic has many more uses, such as waists on maternity clothing, making the rounded corners on fitted sheets and much more.
What are your favorite uses for buttonhole elastic? Let us know and we'll be happy to pass the tid bits along.
We all know how to shorten the legs on pants and shorts, but the "too large waist" can be an issue, especially if you're talking school uniforms or jeans, and not something you're making from scratch and can alter the pattern before doing the sewing.
Well, thank goodness for Buttonhole Elastic!!! This is the best stuff since sliced bread!! Here's a picture of buttonhole elastic -- then we'll move on to what to do with it.
Take the regular waist band on the pants / shorts -- cut a small "buttonhole" type slit on the backside of the band, just behind the first belt loop on both sides (the slit has to be 3/4" wide in order to slip the buttonhole elastic through). Hand stitch the slit opening all the way around to keep it from raveling. Sew a small button about 1/2 inch from the openings for the elastic. The buttons will need to be between the slits and the center front of the pants.
Cut a length of buttonhole elastic about 1" smaller than the child's waist, then thread the elastic through the openings from one side to the other. Button the buttonhole elastic to the buttons on each side. Now, try the pants / shorts on the child and pull in the buttonhole elastic on each side until the pants waist band "gathers" to fit. Button the buttonhole elastic into the appropriate buttonhole to secure the elastic and the waist, as you can see in the following picture.
You can see how much we've had to gather the waist on Jacob's pants and how the elastic is secured with the buttons. Now he's ready for this year, and most likely will be able to wear the pants next year as we adjust the buttonhole elastic to make the waist a little larger, and let out the hems in the garments.
You can find buttonhole elastic on ebay at very reasonable prices -- just click on the link and do a search for buttonhole elastic.
Buttonhole elastic has many more uses, such as waists on maternity clothing, making the rounded corners on fitted sheets and much more.
What are your favorite uses for buttonhole elastic? Let us know and we'll be happy to pass the tid bits along.
Posted by Sarah Doyle at 8/28/2009 7:03 PM 
Categories: Sewing And Crafts
Tags: sewing buttonhole elastic elastic sewing elastic
Categories: Sewing And Crafts
Tags: sewing buttonhole elastic elastic sewing elastic
hello, do you know where in the USA or portland, or I can order 1/4 or 1/2 inch button whole elastic? I really need to find some. Any leads appreciated. thanks so much.
linsey ebuen
503 327 4868
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Hi Linsey
Personally all I've seen is the 3/4" buttonhole elastic that we have and that you can get on ebay. Perhaps a search on ebay could get you some leads to the narrower types.
If any of our readers know where to get the 1/4 or 1/2 inch button hole elastic that Linsey needs, please pass it along to us.
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I'm going to be using buttonhole elastic for the legs of a one-size diaper. I think it's going to give a great and adjustable fit to the legs. Like the previous poster I was wanting thinner elastic, but I bought the 3/4in to see if it would work.
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I think the buttonhole elastic will be great on the diapers! Please let us know how the 3/4 inch works. I've used the 3/4 inch around fitted crib sheets and twin size fitted sheets - it is a perfect size as the "buttonholes" make the curve perfectly, and the elastic is easy to attach. I'm thinking it might work the same for your diapers. Let us know, and thanks for sharing!
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