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From: bridesmom
Date: 05-24-2007, 06:59 PM (1 of 7)
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My daughter and I are making covers for some foam cushions in a camper which would be like a fitted sheet with elastic all around the outer edge. How do I measure the length of the elastic that I will need??
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 05-24-2007, 07:33 PM (2 of 7)
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I was just thinking about this today. I think the way to go is to test a few lengths and see which one is best for your project. Some say to measure around and subtract 2 inches, but they're usually talking about hanging a skirt from an elastic waistband, plus the generalization overlooks the fullness of the skirt and the weight of the fabric. For ex, the skirt I'm wearing today--could have done with a little bit shorter piece :/ That's why I was pondering the topic! Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 05-24-2007, 07:42 PM (3 of 7)
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When I made a cover for DD changing table I took the full hank of elastic & inserted it into a casing then I measured what was left & subtracted so I can make more without guessing.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: Stuart Anderson
Date: 05-24-2007, 10:41 PM (4 of 7)
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My daughter and I are making covers for some foam cushions in a camper which would be like a fitted sheet with elastic all around the outer edge. How do I measure the length of the elastic that I will need?? Easier than you think! And this works for any similar project. Measure the length of the outer edge to which you intend to attatch the elastic. Lets say its arbitrarily 200cm (80in to you guys) Go to the store and look for the elastic that suits your project. Go to the counter where they have the tape measure stuck to it and place one end at the zero and then stretch to the desired tension all the way to the end of the tape. Mark the elastic and let go. Now you know how much elastic you need per 100cm (or 40in). The rest is maths  Let's say when you let go you had 75cm (30in). You now know that to determine your total elastic length you just multiply the length of your outer edge by 75/100 or 30/40 (which is the same thing) 200 x 75/100 = 150cm You need 150cm of that particular elastic at that particular tension (plus a little extra to overlap at the end) Stuart Stuart
Swimwear Pattern Guy http://home.iprimus.com.au/seanderson/index.htm |
User: Stuart Anderson
Member since: 05-24-2007 Total posts: 12 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 05-25-2007, 01:11 PM (5 of 7)
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Totally brilliant Stuart!! That's exactly what I will do, and I even own my own yardstick!!!! Thanks a million!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Stuart Anderson
Date: 05-25-2007, 07:59 PM (6 of 7)
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Totally brilliant Stuart!! That's exactly what I will do, and I even own my own yardstick!!!! Thanks a million! Hehe ... yardstick of course, I should have realised that. You know it's a funny trying to convert from metric to imperial, you just don't see some things no matter how obvious they are. 
Stuart
Swimwear Pattern Guy http://home.iprimus.com.au/seanderson/index.htm |
User: Stuart Anderson
Member since: 05-24-2007 Total posts: 12 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 05-25-2007, 08:21 PM (7 of 7)
Yes, Stuart, but I also am in a metric country, it's really a meter stick, but it does have inches on it too. I haven't learned to convert to metric while sewing, everything else is metric but I'm always in inches, feet and yards while sewing. Would you call that bi-polar???
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
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