Cut Out + Keep

How To An Alternative To Knicker Elastic

Add a retro finish to your favourite knickers

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/how-to-an-alternative-to-knicker-elastic • Posted by Pamela C.

I've been working on a new bloomer shape but instead of knicker elastic I've been using bias binding threaded with elastic. It gives the knicker a cute retro look, here's how you do it....

You will need

Project Budget
Reasonably Priced

Time

0 h 40

Difficulty

So-so
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Description

I've been working on a new bloomer shape but instead of knicker elastic I've been using bias binding threaded with elastic. It gives the knicker a cute retro look, here's how you do it....

Instructions

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    First, stitch the knicker front and back together at the crotch and side seams and then neaten. With right sides together stitch the bias binding (I've been using a soft satin bias 11mm wide) around one leg opening. Stitch just to the right of the fold rather than right on the fold.

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    When you've almost stitched the binding the entire way around stop leaving a gap of about 5cm so you can make a join in your bias binding.

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    With right sides together make a join in your binding. Check its correct by pinning first.

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    Trim away the excess binding, press the seam open and pin in place.

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    Stitch this section to the leg opening as before.

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    Flip the bias binding to the wrong side, press and then stitch along the free edge leaving a small opening to insert the elastic.

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    Repeat steps 1 - 6 for the other leg and waist.

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    Give the knicker a good press.

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    Thread elastic through the openings you've left using a small safety pin. Take care not to twist the elastic. The amount you need will depend on your size, a general rule is the total circumference of the opening x .66 Once confirmed overlap the elastic by a couple of cm's and using a zig-zag stitch, stitch back and forth a few times on the overlapped section. Using a straight stitch, stitch the opening in the bias binding closed....and voilà!