<p>Typically you choose the width of the elastic based on the width of your waistband. So if you have a 1" wide waistband, you'll need 3/4" to 1" wide elastic. You control the stretch by using more or less elastic. If you're sensitive to tight waistbands, then just use a longer piece of elastic.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-07T20:51:23.417Z
2018-01-07T20:51:23.417Z
Cindy Skillman
<p>This is commonly called the "stretch percentage" or "stretch factor". The name comes from how much percent of the original width/length the material can stretch. For example, if you can stretch a 4" piece of elastic to 6" long, the stretch percentage would be 50%.</p>

<p>Here's a simple visualization from <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/peg-leg-101/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Patterns for Pirates</a>:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/TBpfW.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TBpfW.jpg" alt="Stretch percentage diagram"></a></p>

<p>As a side note, some patterns come with a "stretch gauge", instead of telling you a stretch percentage. It's usually printed on the back of the envelope so you can easily measure your fabric against it:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/C3Zt4.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/C3Zt4.jpg" alt="Stretch gauge example"></a></p>

<p>What elastic to use really depends on your particular application! A thicker or wider elastic may be more sturdy but less comfortable, for instance. As a general rule, thicker elastics seem to be less stretchy - but it's a very general rule. If you know the measurements you want for the finished pants, you can come up with the required stretch percentage: <code>(fabric width / fitted width - 1)</code> and bring that gauge to the store to find which ones are suitably stretchy.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-13T21:46:08.507Z
2017-12-15T14:34:56.723Z
2017-12-15T14:34:56.723Z
user812786
<p>I want to adapt a pair of pants to add elastic to the waistband. I have a particular "stretchiness" in mind for this project, but don't know how that relates to a given thickness, width, material, or other characteristic of any particular elastic product.</p>

<p>Is there any standardized terminology for relative stretchiness that I could use when talking to a sales assistant? Are there better ways to choose what elastic to use for a project than standing in the store and pulling on samples to guess how well they would work?</p>

<p>I'm looking for general advice rather than "here's what's best for your pants" -- because this does come up in multiple projects :)</p>

<sewing><material-selection><terminology>
How should I select elastic for a sewing project?
Erica
# How should I select elastic for a sewing project?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-12-13)

I want to adapt a pair of pants to add elastic to the waistband. I have a particular "stretchiness" in mind for this project, but don't know how that relates to a given thickness, width, material, or other characteristic of any particular elastic product.

Is there any standardized terminology for relative stretchiness that I could use when talking to a sales assistant? Are there better ways to choose what elastic to use for a project than standing in the store and pulling on samples to guess how well they would work?

I'm looking for general advice rather than "here's what's best for your pants" -- because this does come up in multiple projects :)

**Tags:** sewing, material-selection, terminology


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-12-13. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

This is commonly called the "stretch percentage" or "stretch factor". The name comes from how much percent of the original width/length the material can stretch. For example, if you can stretch a 4" piece of elastic to 6" long, the stretch percentage would be 50%.

Here's a simple visualization from [Patterns for Pirates](http://www.patternsforpirates.com/peg-leg-101/):

[![Stretch percentage diagram](https://i.sstatic.net/TBpfW.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/TBpfW.jpg)

As a side note, some patterns come with a "stretch gauge", instead of telling you a stretch percentage. It's usually printed on the back of the envelope so you can easily measure your fabric against it:

[![Stretch gauge example](https://i.sstatic.net/C3Zt4.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/C3Zt4.jpg)

What elastic to use really depends on your particular application! A thicker or wider elastic may be more sturdy but less comfortable, for instance. As a general rule, thicker elastics seem to be less stretchy - but it's a very general rule. If you know the measurements you want for the finished pants, you can come up with the required stretch percentage: `(fabric width / fitted width - 1)` and bring that gauge to the store to find which ones are suitably stretchy.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2018-01-07. Score: 0

Typically you choose the width of the elastic based on the width of your waistband. So if you have a 1" wide waistband, you'll need 3/4" to 1" wide elastic. You control the stretch by using more or less elastic. If you're sensitive to tight waistbands, then just use a longer piece of elastic.


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