Elastic tape or elastic thread (the so-called spandex) allows the fabric to gather in beautiful assemblies and fix the desired shape of clothing. Many details of various models cannot do without this sewing material - puffy sleeves and puffs, belts and yokes, drawstrings and tops of socks … If for some reason you need to loosen the elastic, try to do it without damaging your clothes.
Necessary
- - scissors;
- - spare elastic band;
- - safety pin;
- - tailor's pins;
- - sewing machine;
- - thread and needles;
- - iron;
- - hot water.
Instructions
Step 1
The easiest way to stretch the elastic to the desired length is to pull it out of the hole in the hem of the garment and hem the missing elastic section. This can be done manually with a straight and reverse seam.
Step 2
Leave an allowance of about a centimeter wide at the joints of the tape so that the seams do not come apart. Use a safety pin to push the elongated elastic into place.
Step 3
If the elastic band does not pass freely through the drawstring (as happens on the waistband of a skirt, knitted pants, shorts, etc.), it will be more difficult to loosen it. Gathers can consist of several narrow or one wide elastic bands, and the lines run along the most elastic fabric.
Step 4
Sometimes it is okay to just trim the rubber band in several places. For example, suppose you have a baby dress with short, gathered sleeves. If the gathers are shaking a child's hand, carefully trim the stitches on the tape in equal sections with the tips of small scissors. Try not to spoil the main fabric of the product.
Step 5
When the sleeve has expanded to the correct size, arm yourself with a thread and a needle and carefully reinforce the remaining uncut stitches.
Step 6
Another option for loosening the elastic can be recommended if the garment is assembled with multiple strands of spandex (for example, on socks). Stretch the fabric and cut the elastic threads through every second or third row.
Step 7
To lengthen the wide elastic band stitched in the middle, you will have to rip open all the old seams and replace the sewing material with a wider one. First, remove any cut old threads, then place new braid along the lines of the old hem and secure with pins.
Step 8
Machine stitches exactly in the tracks of old seams. It is recommended to use a special stretch stitch (it is more suitable for working with elastic tape), or a zigzag similar to it.
Step 9
Try thermally stretching a tight elastic. To do this, soak a section of clothing with a tape in hot water, if the material and color of the fabric allows it. After that, the problem area can be steamed, ironed, or simply pulled over a suitable shape and the stretched braid can be allowed to dry completely.
