I have a pair of pants with a drawstring waist. The drawstring opening is very narrow, so it can't be reused for the elastic. I'd like to attach a wider piece of elastic and do away with the drawstring. Suggestions?
Use a piece of 1 inch elastic slightly shorter than your waist size (the kind you would sew in pajamas). Put it over the inside of the pants where the drawstring is and stretch it to fit as you zig-zag it on both sides. 5/8th inch elastic could also be used. Turn it over and you have a neatly gathered waistband.
The waistband has a sewn casing where the draw-string went. Use a seam ripper and carefully rip open the casing. Take your waist measurment and cut a piece of elastic accordingly and sew the elastic to the wrong side of the fabric. Fold over the fabric and you'll be sewing the elastic inside the casing for an elastic waistband instead of the draw-string.
It may sound difficult, but it's very easy to do small alterations on clothing.
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
