need advice on elastic for waistband

[sewingmom]

Last waist measurement for DGD was 22.5inches. I have made for he a pair of twill pants cut on the bias. my question is what length should I cut the elastic for the waist. I think 20 Inches is probably OK but I'd like opinions please. I think the heavier twill fabric will be bulkier and may need more length in the elastic than if it were a lightweight giingham. She will recieve this outfit on Wednesday and I would like to have it complete and fitting without any needed tweeking.

[bridesmom]

I would think that would be good. I tend to put my elastic in with extra so it can be made bigger if necessary, or use the buttonhole elastic especially when I'm making it for one of the grands who doesn't live close to me, then mom can button it where it needs to be.

[MartySews2]

I use a firm wide braided elastic from Hancock Fabrics and always cut it 4 inches smaller than my waist. I don't sew for children often but I would think it would be the same concept. Twenty inches sounds about right to me.
Marty

[sewingmom]

I've never seen buttonhole elastic but have heard of it. Where do I find it?
I am posting pictures of the finished pants in completed projects.

[bridesmom]

Google 'buttonhole elastic'. There are tons of places you can get it on line. I can get it at my local Fabricland, so I imagine a Joann's or Hancocks should also have it. I'm not sure where you are otherwise I'd try to find a place close to you.

[MartySews2]

I don't think Hancock Fabrics has it as I've never seen it in the local shops. I asked about it one time and got the strangest look. The person who orders their notions doesn't think about things like that. I was told 50 people had to ask for it to be special ordered before they would order any for a store. I don't think that they are that customer oriented.
Marty

[sewingmom]

Wow, thats cool. Do you just put autton on the inside of the waist and leave a bit of elastic sticking out through an opening in the waist band??
I've looked for it in My nearest Hancocks and they don't have it.
Could I make my own by sewing button holes in some elastic???

[sewingrandma]

Neither my Hancock's or Joann's knew what I was talking about when I asked for buttonhole elastic. They all had blank stares. One woman showed me the buttonhole extension for men's dress shirts. We do have a Fabric Hut locally that had it at a reasonable price. I use it on the grandkids clothing since they don't live near and can't keep up with their waist measurements. Their Mom's love it since the pants fit good in the waists now.

[bridesmom]

Wow, thats cool. Do you just put autton on the inside of the waist and leave a bit of elastic sticking out through an opening in the waist band??

Yup, that's about it. If I'm doing a complete waist, I secure one end, then I open the seam to the inside so I can put the elastic out to tighten it, and sew a button on. If I'm doing the back half of the pants I have the elastic come through the seam on both ends. I don't think I'm making this very understandable. Here's some directions from a blog I found on the web. http://tmlf.blogspot.com/2008/02/retrofitting-waistband-with-buttonhole.html

And here's a place that sells it for a reasonable price, though I've never boughten from them.
http://www.homesew.com/ee51.html
And a Canadian site, they are actually based in my city, love shopping there!! http://www.agreatnotion.com/catalogue/index1.html

Could I make my own by sewing button holes in some elastic???

I don't think it would work, but you could try I suppose.

[material_pakrat]

You can do it yourself, but you may need a few attempts to do the button hole in a satisfactory manner. The size of the zigzag depends on how "nice" the elastic wants to be to you! I used to make mine, until I found where I could buy it.
The manufactured on is easier by a mile, because you never have to move the button, just adjust the elastic.