The Simplest Tip For Never Getting Twisted Elastic Again!

Life Saving Sewing Tip!

People often think that if you’ve been sewing for a long time, you sew everything perfectly the first time, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! My seam ripper and I are definitely well acquainted. I’m a firm believer that even the most seasoned sewists have at least a few simple things that always seem to give them trouble. For me, I somehow seem to often get my elastic (do you love the huge rolls of elastic as much as I do?) twisted when threading through a casing, even after I’m sure I’ve double checked it. It drives me nuts when that happens, because the twist never shows up until after I’ve stitched the elastic ends together and closed the casing! Well, not too long ago, as I was fixing one such twist, it hit me and today I’m sharing the simplest way to never get twisted elastic again!

No More Twisted Elastic

Perhaps some of you already use this trick, but I figured if it was new to me after all the years I’ve been sewing, there must be some others out there who also haven’t thought of it or been taught it yet.

No More Twisted ElasticNo More Twisted Elastic

For this example I used our Polly Peasant Dress & Blouse Pattern (I’ll be showing you more of the entire dress soon!). Stitch your elastic casings as normal, leaving an opening to insert the elastic. Cut your elastic pieces to desired lengths.

No More Twisted Elastic

Now, simply make a small mark with a pen (disappearing, washable marker, or ball point if you’re on my wavelength) on both ends of each piece on the top of the elastic.

No More Twisted ElasticNo More Twisted Elastic

How easy is that?! Now, when you insert your elastic, insert it with the mark facing upward and thread it through.

No More Twisted Elastic

When you get back to the beginning and exit the elastic, make sure both marks are facing upward and you’ll know there’s no twists in the elastic.

No More Twisted Elastic

I still like to pin these ends together to double check that there’s no twists. It’s of course possible that there could be a 360 degree twist in the elastic with both marked ends facing upward, but that’s easy to feel for unlike when it’s just flipped once, which is what always gives me trouble (and if that’s the case, simply unpin and twist one end a full turn in the opposite direction of the twist).

No More Twisted Elastic

That’s it! Stitch your elastic ends together and stitch the casing closed. Now you’ll never have to unpick twisted elastic again :).

No More Twisted Elastic

Similar Posts

31 Comments

    1. I almost felt silly posting it, but I’m the same way and have never thought of it or heard of it! Glad I’m not the only one, hehe!

  1. Pingback: Easy tip to prevent twisted elastic in a casing – Sewing
  2. I totally had one of those “duh” moments when I read this like, “Why have I never thought to do this?!” What a simple, but effective trick, thanks for sharing Abby!

      1. Ah, so simple, yet so lifechanging! Kind of like using curling ribbon, instead of string or yarn, for fruit loop necklaces. Brilliant! Thank you for sharing!

        1. You’re so welcome! Somehow the simplest tips always seem to be the most helpful (for me at least, lol!)!

  3. What????? I just can’t believe I’ve never thought of that!!! So glad you decided to post and share this with us. I will definitely be doing this from now on!!!

  4. I’ll add a tip that I just discovered on Pinterest,: Do not CUT the elastic, just mark the length, thread it through the casing, sew, and then cut. No more losing the elastic at the very end or trying to match those two little ends. That was another, “Why didn’t I think of that” moment. This has saved me so much time. Do both of these tips and we ail be lovin’ making peasant dresses.

  5. This is a great idea! I have been making face masks for months, and I am embarrassed to admit how many times I have sewn the ear loop ends together only to discover a twist. I will definitely use this!

  6. Wow! That’s a great idea… and ‘sew’ simple! I will give it a try. I use the two pin method, but like you, I still pin together at the end to make sure there’s not a twist somewhere.
    Thanks for sharing. 🤗

  7. This problem bedevilled me for years. Then one day I had a lightbulb moment — not as easy as yours, however it has worked for a long time. I put a safety pin on each end of the elastic piece — both on the same side of the elastic. When the leading edge of the elastic has passed through the casing, I check to see if both pins are facing me — if they are, the elastic “should” be straight …… however I still check around the whole casing with my fingers to be sure it hasn’t twisted 360 deg. then sew the two pieces of the elastic together. This has worked for me, however I like the idea of just marking the elastic much better! I always have a pen by my sewing machine so this will be a quick and easy change for me to make :) Thank you for this tip.

  8. Great idea!!! So simple . Thanks. Keep your ideas and patterns coming. I’m new to you’re site with a new great granddaughter.

  9. Oh my goodness! I’ve been sewing for 55 years and never have had a full proof method to keeping my elastic on the straight and narrow! Thanks for this excellent tip! I will use it on my next skirt project!

  10. I am a 4H advisor and will put this tip to good use at our next Beginner Sewing Camp where each 4Her makes a skirt, shorts, capris, or pants with a full elastic waist. This will give my budding seamstresses even more confidence and quick proof that they’ve been successful!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.