Quality elastic can be used as a woven band in a gathered fabric. There are many fabrics that offer elasticity; in fact, many polyester fabrics can stretch in four different directions. Band elastic, such as that found in undergarments, does a great job of providing both support and comfort.
1. Comfort for the Person Using the Item
Quality elastic can hold the fabric firmly close to your skin. It doesn’t have to be snug enough to create compression, but the right elastic in the right garment can give the person wearing it a sense of security and confidence.
Most garment-quality elastics consist of rubber bands encased in a nylon weave. The nylon is gentle against the skin of the person wearing the garment. Rubber is biodegradable and may break down when exposed to heat, water, and soap. The combination of nylon covering and the fabric of the garment protects the rubber in the elastic from breaking down.
2. Stretch and Easy Gathering
If you’re working on a project that will ultimately include gathering a skirt to a top layer of fabric, such as might be found on an outdoor table cover, temporary use of elastic can help create an ideal gather.
For outdoor projects, it’s critical that you invest in the right fabric and thread. The sun can be incredibly tough on materials used in the outdoors. Constant exposure to wet weather can also weaken the fibers of all but the toughest fabrics and threads.
3. Support for the Whole Project
Quality elastic can provide consistent support across the span of a project, even if the project is heavy. For example, a very long skirt can be comfortably held in place with a wide-band elastic. The wearer won’t need to worry about the garment drooping or sliding down.
From sweatpants to bathing suits, top-quality elastic provides people with garments that don’t ride up, drop down, or simply sag. If you have outdoor furniture with elastic table covers or a metal canopy frame with a flexible roof cover, quality elastic can give you confidence.
4. Help the Item Hold Shape
Quality elastic, properly installed, can also help a large or voluminous piece of fabric hold overall shape. Stretchy fabric, such as bathing suit material, can last longer if given the support of a quality elastic band.
If you’re interested in learning to sew or need to do some alterations, take the time to research the best thread for each project. Some fabrics need a tough cotton thread, but if you need flexibility, you’ll want to use a poly thread with a stretch-friendly stitch.
5. Provide Flexibility for Alterations
Garments need to fit folks who may expand or contract in size. Outdoor furniture or structures with covers need to adjust for the pressure of wind or the weight of rainwater. A garment sewn too rigidly may not survive if it can’t flex with the conditions.
Quality elastic can be a permanent addition or can be used as a temporary gathering tool. Affixing your elastic with the right thread and using the right fabric for the job is key to building an item or garment that will last.
