First things first—a little disclaimer! Adding elastic to fabric may not be for everyone. Since elastic gathers the material rather than cutting or removing any excess, the extra fabric remains in place, just gathered. So, when using elastic to make a top more fitted, particularly along the bodice, this is something to keep in mind.
That said, here’s the good news: it’s a quick, 5-minute fix if you have 1/4-inch elastic. Plus, elastic is super flexible. Need more room? Just add extra length of elastic. Want a more cinched waist? Tighten it up.
I would use a 1/4 inch elastic for this alteration. But you can also use wider elastic for more structure. This also depends on the fabric of your top. For thicker fabric tops, you may want to use 1/2 inch or wider elastic.
Measure your waist exactly and cut the elastic in this measure. This is comfortable for me. If you want more tightness, reduce 1 inch or so. Remember that stitching the ends together will take away an extra one inch from it in the end.
Turn the top wrong side out. Mark the waistline on the side seam. This is where you will be sewing the casing for the elastic.
Pinch the fabric at the waistline. About 3/4 inch would do.
Sew along this pinched area. You should be stitching atleast 1/2 inch from the folded edge. Use the same colored thread as the material of the top.
Now fold this stitched area over the top and sew in place along the edge. This forms a casing for the elastic. Remember to leave 2 inches unstitched (For inserting the elastic)
This is how it will look on the front.
Watch the video if you have any doubt about what I am explaining.
Now using a bodkin or something (I don’t know anything else since I discovered bodkins– Pins, what !!) thread the elastic through the casing
If you use a narrow steel bodkin, it will pass through any narrow casing you have made.
Stitch the elastic ends closed. For this, overlap the two ends of the elastic by about half an inch and sew them together. You can do this by hand or with a sewing machine – A zigzag stitch is stronger for the elastic material. And close the hole you left unstitched too.
That is it. No extra casing fabric needed, right? Adjust the gathers evenly around the waistline so that it is not bunched up in one place.
