After trying the stretch stitch on my sewing machine, I fell in love. Before that, stitching stretchy fabric was just asking for a headache. It always puckered, wobbled, or lost shape.
But once I figured out it is possible, I thought, why not twist it a little and experiment? That’s when I find out about the Elastic stitch sewing machine. It’s somewhat similar to the main stitch, but still distinct.
Set your sewing machine to the zigzag stitch setting, then sew slowly along the stretchy fabric or elastic without pulling it.
Sounds good? Ok, let’s discuss it clearly.
Table of Contents
What Is An Elastic Stitch Sewing Machine?
An elastic stitch is a stretchable zigzag-style stitch specially designed to move with your fabric, without snapping, popping, or warping your seams.
It’s different from your typical straight stitch, which can easily break when used on stretchy materials. This one flexes right along with your garment. That’s why it’s perfect for sewing jersey, rib knit, spandex, or Lycra.
How to find it? Well,
It often shows up as a lightning bolt-shaped stitch (⚡) on your sewing machine and works by forming short, angled stitches that loop in a way that allows the fabric to stretch and return to shape.
What Is The Best Stitch For Elastic Sewing Machine?
The zigzag stitch is the best stitch for an elastic sewing machine. Why? Because it gives the elastic and fabric room to stretch without snapping the stitches. Super beginner-friendly and super reliable.
Now, if you want to explore a few fancier options later on, you’ve got:
- Three-step zigzag
- Lightning bolt stitch
- Triple stretch stitch
But honestly, the basic zigzag is a great place to start—and it does the job beautifully for most elastic projects like waistbands, cuffs, or stretchy seams.
How To Use an Elastic Stitch Sewing Machine?
To do elastic stitch sewing machine, follow the steps,
Prepare My Machine For Elastic Stitch
First things first, I set my sewing machine to the right stitch. I look for the elastic stitch a zigzag with multiple lines.
But it depends on the machine brand. I usually pick the one labeled for stretch fabrics.
Next,
I adjust the stitch length and width. I prefer to keep the stitch length short—around 0.5 to 1 mm—to maintain a tight and strong finish. For the stitch width, I set it to around 3 mm, so it’s wide enough to allow for stretch but not too loose.
Then, I swap in my trusty ballpoint needle.
A size 75/11 or 80/12 works best because it slides between the fabric threads instead of piercing them, which keeps my knits and stretch fabrics. It even helped me do machine appliqué.
Get The Fabric Ready For Elastic Stitch
I usually work with stretchy fabrics like jersey, spandex, or Lycra, which require seams that move with the body. And I prefer to keep the hem relatively narrow,
I usually use around 1/8 to 1/4 inch (approximately 3 to 6 mm) for machine elastic stitch. This size gives a clean, polished edge without weighing down the fabric or sacrificing its natural stretch and bounce.
It’s all about striking a balance between a neat finish and flexibility. So, your garment looks great and moves with you comfortably.
Loading Fabric And Elastic Under The Foot
I position the pinned layers carefully under the presser foot. The elastic should be placed on top of the fabric, allowing the machine to stitch through it smoothly.
I lower the presser foot gently and check that the fabric and elastic feed evenly without bunching or stretching out of place. Uneven feeding is a common cause of wavy seams, so I pay close attention to this detail.
Start Sewing An Elastic Stitch
I sew slowly and steadily, maintaining control to ensure the stitches stay even.
While sewing, I stretch the fabric just enough to match the length of the fabric underneath. This slight pull is important.
If I stretch too much, the elastic can get overstressed and lose its bounce. Too little, and the seam might sag when worn.
I keep an eye on the stitch formation, making sure the needle moves smoothly and the fabric feeds evenly.
Finishing Up and Testing the Stretch
Once the seam is done, I gently stretch it a few times to test the durability. The stitches should hold firm and flex easily without breaking.
I trim any loose threads to keep the finish clean. If I notice something unstable, I do a backstitch.
If you want something stronger than this, then do a twin needle stitch.
FAQ
What stitch is best for sewing elastic onto fabric?
A zigzag stitch with a width of about 2.5–3 mm and a length of 2.5 mm works great, but you can also try a triple stretch or 3-step zigzag stitch for added strength.
What needle should I use for stretchy fabrics?
Always go for a ballpoint needle (size 75/11 or 80/12) to avoid damaging knit or stretch fabrics.
How wide should a rolled hem be on stretchy fabric?
Keep it narrow—around 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3 to 6 mm)—to maintain flexibility and a clean finish.
Can I use a regular sewing machine to sew elastic?
Yes! Using the right stitch settings and needle, your regular machine can sew elastic beautifully.
Conclusion
Honestly, once you get the hang of using the right stitch and needle, sewing elastic on stretchy becomes way less scary—and kinda fun!
So don’t stress, trust the process, and enjoy that satisfying stretchy finish every time you sew. You’ve got this!
Leave a Reply