3 Best Types of Waistband Elastics I Use for a Comfy Fit

If you’re like me, you like making clothes with comfy waists. You might wonder which is the best elastic for waistbands.

Garments with “rubberband” midsections tend to be easier sew, and can be great for beginners. But it’s important to choose the right one for your project. 

I’ll tell you about the types I use (and not use), how I use them, and share my fitting guide. This should help you decide on which kind to use for your next creation. 

Best Types of Waistband Elastic

I broadly covered the different types of elastic for sewing in another guide. Waistband elastic goes around a more sensitive part of the body. 

I learned about this from years of sewing and trial and error. Plus, I like to deconstruct ready-to-wear clothes to see what manufacturers use. 

We’re only going to discuss waistbands for shorts, skirts, and pants. I won’t go into the ones for underwear in this post. 

1. Knit Elastic

This is my preferred type of elastic around the waistband. Knit elastic has loops when looking closely. It’s soft, flexible, and versatile. 

Knit elastic is very comfortable around the waist, and I especially use it for casings in loungewear, skirts, shorts, and pants. You can use it with light to medium-weight fabrics such as rayon, cotton, light denim, and knits. 

Anything heavier might not hold… but wait… There are different strengths of knit elastic. 

Dritz also has a “heavy stretch” waistband elastic. It can be used with heavier fabrics and comes in a thicker width. 

There’s also soft waistband elastic, which has a nice finish and easy stretch. You can wear this directly on the skin and don’t need to put it in a casing. I’m telling you, this is so soft, much softer than the fabric I usually sew with.

Once you start using different brands, you might notice the difference in stretch. I purchased the Dritz knit elastic and love using this in my shorts. 

I also purchased a roll of knit elastic online, and it was more stretchy than the Dritz brand. And another brand of knit elastic I used was stronger and thicker.

2. Sportswear Elastic

Oh, this is another favorite of mine, and if I could use it in all my garments, I would. Sportswear elastic is very soft and comfortable, and more flexible than standard knit elastic.

This is my go-to elastic because of the comfort level. I use it in casings for lightweight loungewear, skirts, shorts, and pants. 

The thing about this elastic is that it needs to be used with lightweight fabric or a garment with negative stretch on the body. The elastic would provide extra support.

 It’s not strong enough to hold many of the medium-weight fabrics that I sew with. And it only comes in widths of 1-1/4 inch (1.25 inch) and 1-1/2 inch (1.5 inch). 

This elastic has channels on it in which you can stitch on to keep it in place. For example, I think of spandex bike shorts that might have sportswear elastic in the waistband.

3. Woven Elastic

If you need a strong and durable hold, woven elastic is what you want.It has weaves and ribs in it, so it’s not playing around.

This is my choice for waistband elastic when I can’t use knit or sport elastic. Chances are, I’ll go with non-roll woven elastic because of the weight of the fabric.

You can use it with medium to heavyweight fabrics like denim, twill, and corduroy. Knit and sport elastic won’t hold these fabrics well.

Woven elastic won’t stretch like knit elastic, but it’ll stay in place and won’t roll. You have to keep this in mind when fitting the elastic, because it won’t give a soft, comfy stretch like knit or sport elastic. 

On my denim mini skirt, I used woven elastic for the back waistband. Note that I fitted it lower than my natural waist because I didn’t want the waistband to put pressure on my stomach. 

4. Braided Elastic

Some people like to use braided elastic in their waistbands. This type of elastic has braids in it when you look closely. 

Although you can use it in casings, I don’t use it for waistbands. When stretched, it narrows and isn’t as flexible as knit elastic. 

I save this type of elastic for accessories and other uses. But if you prefer this type, I say go for it, but it’s not one I use on my garments.

Elastic Waistband Fitting Guide

I brainstormed some common questions and issues that may arise when fitting elastic waistbands. Here’s my guide in Q&A form. 

1. Which width should I choose?

If you’re sewing from a pattern, I’d look at the suggested notions and fabric, typically on the back of the envelope. Chances are, they may not tell you which type of elastic to choose, but they’ll tell you the size and length to get. 

It might say to get 1 inch or 1-1/4 inch (1.25 inch). This is the width that will fit through the casing you make for the waistband. The casing is the tunnel through which you’ll pull the elastic.

The elastic always needs to be narrower than the casing. That way, it can easily glide through and can be adjusted.

I’ve made countless garments, and the sewing patterns I use will suggest anything from 1-inch to 2-inch wide elastic for garments. This is a personal choice as well. 

I like my elastic waistbands for skirts and pants to be 1-1/4 inch (1.25 inch) or 1-1/2 inch (1.5 inch) wide. With shorts, I like them 1 inch wide. 

I know people who like their waistbands to be 1/2 inch (0.5 inch). 

The thicker the waistband, the more hold you’ll have. Some people don’t like thick waistbands, but I feel they’re more comfortable. 

You might want to experiment with the different widths and see which one you like best. 

2. Can I cut the elastic to make it narrower?

Nope. If you cut it lengthwise, it’ll unravel. So it won’t hold like it should around your waist.

You’ll want to buy the elastic in the width needed for the project. If you can’t find your preferred elastic in the size you want, you’ll have to choose another.

For example, I love sport elastic, but they only make it in 1-1/4 inch (1.25 inch) width and wider. I can’t cut it down to a 1-inch size.

Instead, I’ll use 1-inch knit elastic for my casing. It’s not the same as sport elastic, but it’s still one of my preferred choices.

You can also adjust the casing and make it wider to fit the elastic you prefer to use. I do this a lot!

3. How do I measure for an elastic waistband?

I use a flexible tape measure or the measuring guide on my cutting mat when measuring the length of elastic I need. I always give myself a couple of inches more than my waist length because I’ll need to adjust it in the garment and sew an overlap.

For example, if my waist is 27 inches, I’ll cut around 30 inches of elastic. That’ll give me enough to play with.

If you make many skirts like I do, you can just compare them to the waistband of one that fits you well. But be sure to try it on before sewing to make sure it really feels comfortable.

4. How tight should the waistband elastic fit?

People will give you very different answers for this one. This depends on the type of elastic you use and your comfort level.

When you make clothes from sewing patterns, they’ll include a pattern piece that’s an elastic waist guide. I never use that guide because it always makes it too tight around my waist, and that’s just not comfy for me. 

Instead, I decide where I want my garment to sit on the body. For skirts, it’s usually around my natural waist, and for shorts and pants, they fall on my low waist. 

For example, if I want a skirt to sit on my natural waist, I’ll make the elastic 27 inches around, and no less. 

(Remember you have the overlap part too, but that’s not included in the measurement since it’s lapped over.)

Some people will tell you to subtract a couple inches, but I don’t do that. My midsection grows throughout the day, and I don’t like something pressing on it.

After cutting the elastic, I put it in the casing and adjust it where I want the waistband to be on my body.

I pin the elastic and I put the skirt on. Then I walk around, sit down, bend, and do a few tasks with my skirt on. I adjust as needed and then stitch my elastic after it’s fitted.

It should fit enough that it’s not moving around, but still feel comfy when sitting down. You’ll have to find that nice medium that you can live with.

5. How much stretch do I need in the waistband elastic?

You always want your elastic to bounce back after stretching it. If it doesn’t, it’s not good to use.

When choosing the type of stretch, I personally like a soft stretch, and that’s why I go for sport or knit elastic. With my elastic fitting exactly around the waist, I don’t need much stretch. 

However, I need it to expand when my midsection does.

Any elastic labeled “heavy stretch” or “strong” won’t be as stretchy. You can use these with heavy fabrics or when you want a strong hold.

When sewing denim waistbands, I’ll use woven elastic, which isn’t very stretchy. That’s why I’ll wear my skirts and pants with woven elastic waistbands lower on the waist, so there’s no pressure.

6. What is the most comfortable type of elastic to wear?

I can surely tell you about comfort level! I was diagnosed with digestive issues and fibroids. Whew! So, let me tell you that I get pains and bloating all the time. 

That’s why I can’t have anything pressing on my midsection, whether it’s the upper or lower part. It’s just sensitive and uncomfortable all over.

That’s one of the reasons I like soft elastic waistbands. Non-elastic waistbands can press on my stomach, unless I wear a lower rise. But on bad days, it’s still not comfy.

Earlier in the day, my midsection tends to be flatter. But as soon as I eat a meal or two, it grows, and soft elastic grows with it.

Sport elastic is my number one choice, but it doesn’t always support the fabric or come in the width I need. Otherwise, knit elastic is nice and comfy too.

I just avoid making the elastic too tight around my midsection, no matter which type I use.

7. My waistband elastic still isn’t comfortable.

Whether you’re sensitive around the midsection like me or not, elastic waistbands can be uncomfortable when not done right.

It could be too tight, sitting in the wrong place, or not have enough stretch. Or it could be too loose.

If the elastic is too tight around the waist, give yourself more slack. My elastic fits around the waist, as I don’t like it tight. It has room to expand.

If it’s too loose, it’s going to drop down to where it will fit on you. If you want it to fit around the waist, you’ll need to tighten it around the waist. 

And if it’s loose because you don’t like it tighter, then you might try a softer stretch like soft knit or sport elastic.

8. Why does my elastic get twisted in the casing?

Elastic can twist around in the casing when you pull on and off your garment. There are things you can do to minimize this.

When you make your garment, make sure your elastic is flat in the casing. Pull it through the casing slowly with a safety pin or bodkin, and distribute the gathers, working your way around.

When you’re done, check to see that the elastic is flat all the way around. It’s easy to get a twist somewhere.

After securing your elastic, you’ll want to tack it down around the waist. I like to sew a few stitches at the side seams and the front and back. When I do this, my elastic never twists around while wearing the garment.

9. How do you finish the elastic when securing it?

I use a zig-zag stitch when securing the ends together. I always have at least 1 inch overlap that I can always adjust later if needed.

If you deconstruct read-to-wear garments from the store, you might find they use a straight stitch to secure the elastic. I don’t do this. The zig-zag is my preferred way to secure the ends.

If you need to secure the elastic to the garment, you’ll use a straight stitch then. Like on my flat front elastic back skirt, the ends are secured into the waistband sides by stitching in the ditch.

10. Which elastic can I sew directly on?

Sometimes people like to sew rows on their elastic to hold it in place in the casing. It can add a nice design touch to the garment.

The elastics that are best to sew on would be knit and sport elastics. 

You can also sew on soft waistband elastic. Say you make a skirt with an exposed elastic waist, you can attach the elastic with a zig-zag stitch to the skirt top. 

If you sew on woven elastic, it’s not going to stretch well. Stick to knit or sport elastic.

11. When should I replace the elastic in the waistband?

You should replace the elastic in your waistband when it becomes stretched out or brittle. The key warning sign is that it isn’t holding like it used to. 

The other day, I pulled on some waistband elastic and it cracked up! Yup, that’s what it does when it gets old.

I’ve gone years without replacing some types of elastic. In my experience, some types and brands are more heat-sensitive than others. 

So, you’ll want to store it in a cool area and not buy so much backstock unless you’re going to use it.

Additional Notes

Always stretch out your elastic before putting it in the garment. You don’t have to wash it, but I know people who like to do this.

I use a universal sewing needle with elastic, and it works just fine. If you sew through thick elastic, like woven elastic, you might want to size up your needle. 

You can always remove the waistband elastic if you don’t like it in your garment and swap it out for another one. I like to “try on” different elastics in the casing to see which one I like best that also holds the weight of the fabric.

Also, remember when I said my midsection bloats throughout the day? I fit the elastic in the morning and in the evening to find my happy medium.

I avoid putting my clothes with elastic waistbands in the dryer, as heat tends to ruin them faster.

Final Thoughts

It’s so important to have the right waistband elastic on your garment. This will ensure it holds well and feels comfy too.

It might seem like a little thing, but it makes such a big difference. You’ll want your clothes to fit exactly the way you like! 

More About Sewing

I have many other related blog posts. You might want to check them out.

• You’ll also want to read about all the different types of elastic used for sewing.

• I made a step-by-step tutorial on how to put elastic in a casing.

• I’ll give you fashion sewing tips from my years of experience making clothes.

I’d love to hear all about your sewing journey!

Originally published: August 26, 2025