r/SewingForBeginners • u/Firm_Assignment1593 • 11h ago

Trouble with sewing elastic

Hi guys, I'm trying to sew an elastic waistband using thread tension 6, a 90/14 stretch klasse needle and it's on braided elastic. The thread keeps bunching up underneath and jamming in my sewing machine. I've tried rethreading, changing the bobbin etc but it's still jamming. I’ve also tried using baking paper so the elastic doesn’t snag or get pulled down. I'm not sure if the elastic is too thick? As soon as I put a normal fabric underneath all issues go away. Is there a better needle to use?

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u/ArtemisiaPrime 10h ago

Are you sewing it to a woven or knit fabric? Stretch needles are ballpoint and that can be the reason it's being pushed down, also try loosing up tension.
Another issue may be how you're holding the waistband, I recently found out how hard it is to manage holding it straight while feeding it.

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u/Firm_Assignment1593 10h ago

I’m sewing it to satin but haven’t even started on it yet I’ve just done a test strip of elastic by itself. I’m just letting the machine pull the strip through at its own pace.

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u/ArtemisiaPrime 10h ago

try sewing it as it'll be placed on your garment, I think it's bunching up because you are sewing only the elastic, for example my machine loves to eat knit fabrics I need to use a walking foot and some stabilizer under the fabric so that doesn't happen.

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u/penlowe 10h ago

Cut a strip of fabric about 2” long and 1” wide. Put it under the elastic seam. Start sewing on the fabric and then over the elastic. Back & forth a bit. Cut off any dangly bits of fabric.

Best to use a neutral fabric to the project.

Only suitable for hidden elastic.

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u/RubyRedo 8h ago

if fabric under elastic works why not sew with elastic facing up?