Which tension setting should i use for elastic

Lots of information on the internet:


https://www.google.com/search?q=sew+elastic+waistband&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Hello!

There is more than one way. This is an easy way to make an elastic waistband on mid to lightweight fabric.
Begin by measuring the waist diameter and subtracting 2" from the measurement.
An easy way to make an elastic waistband is to sew the ends of the elastic together, creating a loop with the elastic. Be sure there are no twists in the elastic before sewing the ends together.
Fold the elastic in half using the seam as one edge and mark the other side with a pin. Fold the elastic in half again and mark the two other folds.
Your elastic should now have 3 pins and the seam quarting the circle.
Hopefully your pants have a center, back and two side seams, making the next step easy. If not, fold and mark the front back and sides like you just did with the elastic.
You're now ready to pin the elastic to the OUTSIDE of the pants. Line up the edges of the fabric and elastic. Match the marks on the elastic to those on the pants and pin them together.
Using a quarter inch seam, stretch the elastic between the pins/quarter marks and sew it in place.
IF your machine has a lightening stitch, use that. If not a zigzag stitch will wear better than a straight stitch, which will also work but may snap if used on a stretchy fabric.
After you have attached the elastic fold it to the "inside" of the pants taking care not to fold or bend the elastic. You have just created a nice finished top edge to your pants!
Giving the elastic a stretch so it fits the fabric, pin the front, back and sides like you did before, making sure to pin the lower edge of the elastic.
Stretching the elastic to make it fit the pants, stitch the lower edge close to the edge, again with a stretchy stitch if possible.
Next stitch the top close to the edge from the front. (I know it's already attached, but this will keep the top looking nice.) 1/8" looks nice, but just make sure your distance to the edge is consistant.
Sit back and admire your handy work! You've now got the elastic sewn on and there are no exposed raw edges.

If you are working with a heavier fabric let me know and I can explain how to make a casing for the elastic. The kind you thread the elastic through.

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you stretch it as you sew of course

Your manual should have information for stitching on stretch fabric. Most will utilize an elastic presser foot that will stretch the elastic as it is applied.

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I just use a small zigzag stitch when I do elastic . regular foot

I am assuming this is a simple stretch waist band with elastic about 2cm wide attached to a skirt or trousers. You need to measure your wist and cut elastic that length plus 2cm. Then join the two ends by overlapping them 2cm and zig zagging the elastic together with regular sewing machine. Now mark the elastic in quarters, ie hold it flat with the join in the middle and mark each edge with chalk or a fabric removable marker. Then put the marks together and mark the edges again so you have 4 marks equally spaced. Now do this for your garment too. It may be bigger in back so mark front and back, then half this to find the side quarters. Put elastic on inside of garment against raw edge and pin the quarter marks on elastic and garment together. Set up overlocker for 4 thread wide seam. Test seam and adjust tensions if necessary. Now you need to serge the edge of the fabric and elastic together, trimming the fabric but not cutting the elastic and stretch the elastic to fit the garment as you stitch. Elastic on top, fabric right side down underneath. Take out pins before you get near them! Start by lifting the front of the presser foot with your finger and placing fabric and elastic under, then start stitching on and straighten up once the seam is onto the elastic. Dont lift the pressure foot, you just stitch, stop, stretch the elastic to the fullness of the fabric, hold it and seam forward a few inches, then stop and repeat the process. Once right round go over your starting point, then turn and serge off the fabric edge and chain off. Cut, pull the chain to pull it flat and tie a hald hitch in it right up close to fabric. Now turn the elastic band to the inside of the garment. You need to secure it. Usually a straight stitch just onto the lower edge of the elastic with sewing machine from outside.

Are you sewing through elastic such as joining the two ends of a loop of elastic in a waistband?

If so, just your straight stitch or three step zig zag works fine.

If you are actually seaming on knit fabrics then you need a stitch with forwards and backwards movement to allow the fabric to give when worn without breaking the thread in the seam. If this is your machine and you want to stich jersey or knits, I'd use the overcasting stitch, fifth from the right. or the tricot stitch to the right of it, this stitch is good for attaching rib trim around necks and sleeves.

Your sewing machine manual should also give you information on which stitch is used for what. I also like the Singer Sewing Manual book for good general sewing information.

If you want the bottom of the T to look like RTW with the double row of stitching, you cannot do this on a serger.

You can achieve the effect by using a twin needle, two spools of thread, bobbin and a straight stitch.

Make sure the double/twin needle will pass through the presser foot and opening in the needle plate below the presser foot.

Practice on a double layer of a scrap of the T shirt material as the tension may need to be slightly looser than the normal setting.

If the thread bunches up on the bottom sometimes it is the bobbin tension. You can remove the bobbin housing and may notice a screw. This screw "tensions" the tab where the thread goes through, creating tension on the thread. Another thing to check if the machine is on a "loose/stretch" stitch setting, this will allow the elastic to freely expand and contract. You may need to also adjust the "speed" of the feed teeth, to compensate for the slack. Often there is "stray thread" in or around the bobbin, which can cause problems, One of these may be the solution, Im being general in my information.