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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Cant-sew-a-lick
Date: 11-07-2005, 07:14 PM (1 of 10)
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Hi everyone! I just joined your little corner of the web. I, as my name states, can't sew a lick. I have had a sewing machine all my life but I am not at all skilled. I can thread it and do basic mending without it looking too terrible. I want to learn how to measure elastic. I want to make a hat for my dogs and I have to know how much stretch I should leave. Is there some secret elastic 'formula' that I don't know of?. I know, total newbie question. Thanks in advance!
My dogs need clothes!
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User: Cant-sew-a-lick
Member since: 11-07-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 11-08-2005, 03:32 AM (2 of 10)
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Welcome to you can't-sew-a-lick. I know what to do with elastic for people which is measure the length you want and take off 2 inches (at least most of the time) for your stretch, but I can see that a dog may be different, depending on the size of the dog. I bet anything DorothyL will have a perfect answer for you though. Glad you joined!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 11-08-2005, 06:51 AM (3 of 10)
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Is someone calling me a dog? Where are you putting the elastic? I don't think I would put it around the dog's neck. I just picture my dog getting it caught on a root or something, running a few steps and bang -- slamming back -- whoosh. I'd might be funny to see but probably not to the dog. Do you have a pattern? When I use elastic I just put it on the place on the person and stretch til it feels about right. All kinds of elastic has different amounts of stretch, right? If you use a knit or fleece the fabric might have enough stretch on its own. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-08-2005, 07:07 AM (4 of 10)
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You need to be careful putting it around a dog too because they can't tell you if it is tight enough or too tight. I've put things on that felt fine until the elastic started digging into my skin....there isn't much more uncomfortable. An animal couldn't tell you it was too tight and their reaction might be misunderstood as just not liking the garment so you might not respond correctly to the situation. If at all possible, I'd suggest trying something less uncomfortable. If it is a short hair like a chichuaua (can't spell), I'd try velcro. You might also try ribbing which is sold by the yard in most fabric stores. If elastic is the only way, I'd suggest very thin elastic because it usually has more stretch. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: kathleenfasanel
Date: 11-08-2005, 12:45 PM (5 of 10)
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I'm a pattern maker and can tell you it's done in manufacturing. This is also how you calculate ribbing. You can do this one of two ways, this is the easy way. You can use a general rule of thumb to calculate elastic, usually 25%-40%. You'd subtract 25 to 40 percent of what you want the finished area to measure, from the elastic. For example, if you have a stretch pant and want the waist to fit a 30" waist, subtracting 25% from 30" equals the length of your elastic (25% of 30" = 7.5". Subtract 7.5" from 30" leaves you with a 22.5" length of elastic). While you can add seam allowance to that, it's not really necessary. That 25% margin leaves plenty for sewing too, provided you're not overlapping it an inordinate amount. Percentage varies based on the stretchability of elastic but also width! If your elastic is narrow, go with the smaller percentage (25%). If your elastic is wider -or you're using ribbing- you can subtract 40%. Still, even 40% may not be enough because other than differing degrees of stretch between elastics, this also depends on the styling and fit of your garment. I used 40% on a waistband (heavy) ribbing for a coat I made for DH but that wasn't enough. The ribbing of the coat I made finished at 3" but it was very stretchy and the coat was oversized. I would have been better off using a 50% ratio. The general rule of thumb for lightweight ribbing such as what you'd find in fabric stores is 33%. If you're using big seam allowances (5/8") then add that to your figure. Nurture people, not products
Fashion-incubator.com |
User: kathleenfasanel
Member since: 08-26-2005 Total posts: 15 |
From: esrun3
Date: 11-08-2005, 09:07 PM (6 of 10)
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Sounds like the elastic question is answered but I wanted to say Hi and Welcome to can't-sew-a-lick-love your forum name!!
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Cant-sew-a-lick
Date: 11-08-2005, 09:57 PM (7 of 10)
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My thanks to all of you that answered my question. The hats that I want to make for my dogs are actually called 'snoods' They cover their ears to keep them from getting cold when we go outside. All it consists of is a tube with elastic in both ends. I could use a cut off tube sock, but, I would like to try to make them myself. Thank you for the warm welcome. I looked for a 'Welcome New Members Forum' but didn't see one or I would have posted a "Hello everyone!" there. P.S. What is 'Ribbing'? My dogs need clothes!
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User: Cant-sew-a-lick
Member since: 11-07-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-09-2005, 07:58 AM (8 of 10)
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Ribbing is the stretchy fabric that you find at the cuffs and bottoms of sweatshirts, often sweaters, bomber jackets, etc. It is sold by the yard but often you need to ask for it in the fabric stores because it is usually tucked away some place you'd never look.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 11-09-2005, 08:10 AM (9 of 10)
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Now that I understand what you want to do I think ribbing sounds right. You would have to have pretty tight elastic to keep it on otherwise. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 11-10-2005, 09:28 AM (10 of 10)
Welcome to SWN can't-dew-a-lick! I should have come up with that name for myself! LOL No question is ever too dumb, especially when you're just starting out with something like sewing. I'm glad you asked the question about measuring elastic-I have been trying to figure it out for the past 2 months now with very little success! Thanks for joining us-and asking the questions some of us are too scared to ask! 
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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