Suggestions needed

[sewingrandma]

I'm still working on DD maternity tops. This one is Simplicity 2774 view F. Has gone together fine, used a knit interfacing and the neckline is stable. My question is should I stablize the waistline with something that is nonstretch or should I use clear elastic or should I just leave it as it is? I've never used clear elastic so if you suggest that let me know how to use it, stretch it while stitching or not, I do have a stablizer that I use for shoulders to keep them from stretching out and could use that if you think it would help the waistline. The waistline starts high under the breasts and curves down under the arms at waist line on around the back at the waist line. I am definitely working outside my comfort zone on these tops. I normally work with a stable firm knit or a cotton/poly blend woven. DD picked out silky polys and unstable knits which I seldom if ever use as I don't like stressful stitching. I do have the reference book Fabric Savvy but it doesn't say anything about stablizing the waist. Thanks for any input you ladies have. I really appreciate it.

[MartySews2]

Brockie, a tailoring technique that I use in gathered waists is to add a waist stay ... I usually use a piece of seam binding on the waist seam to stabilize and to keep the weight of the skirt from pulling on the seam. On the upper portion of the seam, just zigzag the seam binding around the waist. I even do this on baby clothes that I make. In using clear elastic, just gently stretch it before sewing it to the fabric. It will have the seam pull in toward the body and prevent from stretching out of shape. You will often find this in ready to wear clothing. I rarely use it as a waist stay though.
Marty

[kaitlinnegan]

This is a knit top, right? My inclination would be not to stabilize the waistline in order to keep it soft and comfortable. Unless the top is very loose fitting I would think the waistline will not sag too much when worn, although it may look a bit saggy on a hanger. Clear elastic can be a little stiff, and I would think you'd want to retain some ability to stretch in the waist so I definitely wouldn't use anything non-stretch.

If you do go with the clear elastic, pre-stretch the length you are going to use (stretch it and let it relax a few times), and only keep a very slight tension on it while sewing. If you stretch while stitching you will get a gathered look.

[LeapFrog Libby]

This is not good info .. First of all, my experience is several years old, so take that for what it is worth. I purchased clear elastic when it first came on the market, several packages of different lengths and widths, if I remember correctly. I was not impressed. when I stretched it out it popped. I put some of it in the drawer with my other elastic and waited a while. tried it again, same thing.. So I threw it all away. I waited a couple of years and purchawed 2 new packs of the 1/4 inch wide. kept it 6 months and opened pack. It was hard and popped as soon as I tried to stretch it. I will never buy it again. Now maybe it is better now, but I do not intend to give that company another penny. This was my experience. I have never found a problem with any regular elastic, no matter how old or new it is. Just the clear..

[sewingrandma]

Thanks for all the input and information. I decided not to add any type of stablizer to the waist because of the curve it had. I did reinforce the seamline with another row of stitching 1/8 inch away like you do in pants crotch seams and then used my serger outside that. DD tried the top on tonight and it fit perfectly and hung nicely. She was thrilled with it. Now I have another top to cut out and sew up and DD has now asked for pants. I'll definitely have to muslin those as we have no idea what size to even start with. I'm going to include a very generous seam allowance in case I need to let out seams.
Libby, I have had the same experience with clear elastic. I thought I had bad package when I first bought it a few years ago but I recently bought another package thinking to use it on some of these tops I've been making but it broke when I stretched it just a little.

[MartySews2]

One thing that I found out about clear elastic is to keep it in a ziplock bag or it will dry out and turn brittle. I have some that is 5yrs old but I keep it in the ziplock bag so it works as it is supposed to do so. I can't remember where I learned that tip but it has worked for me.
Marty

[LeapFrog Libby]

I will just stick to the old reliable elastic, Marty. Who knows how long that package was in the store before someone purchased it.. To each her own, as the old song says..