14 Types of Elastic for Sewing + Best Use Chart

In this complete guide, you’ll learn the 14 most common types of elastic for sewing, when to use each one, and which elastic works best for waistbands, swimwear, underwear, and kids’ clothing. With so many different types of elastic available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. Whether you’re sewing skirts, pajamas, swimwear, or lingerie, this guide will help you choose the best elastic every time.

Different Types of Elastic

There are 6 main types of elastic. All are used in various applications and serve distinct purposes. Using the right elastic types means your pants or skirt will stay up, and your swimwear will last through many seasons. Here is a comparison chart of the elastic types.

Read more: Learn how to sew elastic with Treasurie

Here is a table showing the different types of elastic and when you can use them.

TYPE OF ELASTIC	DESCRIPTION	USES
Braided	Narrows when stretched	Casings
Woven	Firm, does not narrow	Waistbands
Knitted	Soft, does not narrow	Waistbands
Swimwear	Does not rot or perish	Swimwear, Leotards
Fold Over Elastic	Folds in half	Leotards, Underwear
Lingerie(Picot)	Decorative loops on side	Underwear
Clear	Thin and clear	Gathering Knit Fabric
Elastic Thread	Fine thread that stretches	Shirring
Baby Elastic	Soft for baby clothes	Casings

When you go into any sewing shop, there is a mind-boggling selection of elastic widths and types. Elastic is a great choice for kids’ clothing, as it is easy to sew and accommodates their fast-growing bodies. If you are a beginner, a simple skirt pattern with elastic should be one of your first projects, as it is so easy to do.

Most elastics are made from rubber, which is covered in nylon or polyester fibers. You can also find cotton elastics made from a blend of cotton and rubber.

6 Most Common Types of Elastic

1. Braided Elastic?

Braided elastic is usually used in casings and narrows when stretched. It is great to use in peasant dress patterns for neck casings and wrist casings as it is soft. It tends to overstretch when used in waist casings so if you do use it for this purpose, you may have to cut the lengths shorter than the pattern specifies.

Braided types of elastic is not suitable for swimwear or leotard patterns as it stretches out and will not survive chlorine and sweat. You cannot zig-zag over braided elastic on legs or necks as it will stretch out of shape. When you go shopping you can identify these types of elastic by the long horizontal ribs along its length. If you look at the photo you will see these lines.

2. Woven Elastic? (Non-Roll Elastic)

Woven elastic is firm when stretched and, unlike braided elastic, does not narrow when stretched. It is great to use in skirts and pants waistbands as it doesn’t overstretch and lose its shape. Woven elastic often comes in wider widths for a variety of uses and can be referred to as non-roll elastic.

Woven elastic can be threaded through casings or zig-zagged and then folded over for a non-twist elastic solution.

3. Knitted Elastic (Knit Elastic)

Knitted types of elastic look similar to woven elastic but are designed to be soft and more comfortable. It is suitable for casings and waistbands in light to medium-weight fabrics. Knitted elastic does not narrow when stretched, so it can be zig-zagged over. Read how to sew an elastic waistband.

4. Swimwear Elastic?

Swimwear elastic is usually firm and is salt and chlorine-resistant. It is mostly woven in design, but I have seen some swimwear elastic that is braided. Braided swimwear elastic will give the best and most consistent results. It is also recommended for leotard patterns and swimwear patterns as it is sweat-resistant and less likely to rot.

This elastic doesn’t stretch when you zig-zag over it, which is great for swim and leotard necks and legs. It generally comes in 1/4 inch (6mm) or 3/8 inch (10mm) widths. Common brands include Birch and Dritz.

Some commercial swimwear and leotards use rubber types of elastic in the neck and leg openings, but I don’t recommend you use this for home sewing. Further Reading: How to Sew Elastic in Leotards

5. Fold Over Elastic?

Fold-over elastic has a groove down the center on its underside and is used to bind raw edges on stretch garments. It comes in several widths and an amazing array of patterns and colors. You may see fold-over elastic in your sewing patterns referred to as FOE.

If you are using fold-over types of elastic for underwear, swimwear or leotards, non-printed plain designs are the best. Foil printing tends to reduce stretch, and although it looks pretty, it can be scratchy. I always use plain fold-over elastic. While fold-over elastic does come in different widths, the most common width you will purchase and sew is 5/8 inch (1.5cm). Learn how to sew fold over elastic.

6. Lingerie Elastic (Picot Elastic)

As the name suggests, lingerie elastic is a soft elastic designed for underwear. It often has a decorative edge and is soft on the skin. Lingerie elastic is generally stitched to the edge of delicate fabrics. Another name for the types of elastic used in lingerie is picot elastic. The widths of this elastic are usually 1/4 inch (6mm) or 3/8 inch (1cm). Read how to sew lingerie elastic.

More Types of Elastic

There are three more types of elastic you might come across, but these are not used as much as the ones above. They are clear elastic, elastic thread, and baby elastic.

7. Clear Elastic

Clear elastic is transparent and thin, and light elastic is mainly used to gather and reinforce a knit fabric. It is generally not strong enough to use in casings or waistbands as it is very stretchy and can break easily. Use clear elastic to join a skirt to a bodice. Read how to gather with elastic.

8. Elastic Thread (Shirring Elastic)

Elastic thread is a common type of elastic, sometimes called shirring elastic. It is used in the bobbin of your sewing machine to sew multiple rows that gather into a band. It cannot be used for casings or waistbands as it is very fine and thin and is only designed for sewing. Read how to sew elastic thread.

9. Baby Elastic

Last on the list of types of elastic is baby elastic, which is an extra-soft elastic designed for baby clothing. If you are using this type of elastic, you will probably need to cut the lengths shorter than the pattern specifies, as it is overly stretchy. For this reason, I tend to avoid baby elastic.

10. Stretch Lace Elastic

Stretch lace elastic is used in lingerie. It is generally used for more decorative details rather than for the waist or leg elastic.

11. Buttonhole Elastic

Buttonhole elastic has evenly spaced buttonholes to make adjustable pants and skirts. It is popular in the waistbands of kids and maternity clothing.

12. Cord Elastic

Cord elastic is a thin, round elastic used for drawstrings, jewelry, hats or even gathering fabric. It is thicker than elastic thread.

13. Lace Elastic

This type of elastic is often found in lingerie and underwear. Lace elastic is extremely soft and stretchy and usually much wider than other types. It does not have much hold, so it is often used for decorative purposes.

14. Drawstring Elastic

Drawstring elastic is a band with casings for a drawstring. It is often found in track pants and athletic wear. By using drawstring elastic, designers and sewers can easily achieve a comfortable fit while still allowing wearers the flexibility to tighten or loosen the garment as needed.

What is the Best Elastic for Sewing?

The best type of elastic for sewing depends on your project:

• Waistbands → Woven elastic
• Kids clothing → Knit elastic
• Swimwear → Swimwear elastic
• Underwear → Fold-over elastic
• Casings → Braided elastic

After sewing hundreds of garments, knit elastic is the type I recommend most for beginners. It is soft, easy to sew, and doesn’t narrow when stretched. Woven elastic is best for professional waistbands.

Taking Care of Elastic

Now you know the best types of elastic for your sewing projects, it is important to take care of your items with elastic.

Can you Bleach Elastic?

Bleach can damage elastic, in particular, the rubber inside, so it should be avoided if possible. If you have a skirt or pants with elastic that you need to bleach, try leaving the elastic waistband out of the bucket while bleaching the rest of the item.

Can Elastic be Tumble Dried?

Like bleach, heat can destroy and melt the rubber in elastics. If you can’t air-dry your item, put your tumble dryer on the lowest heat possible.

Types of Elastic FAQs

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Types of Elastic – In Conclusion

Choosing the right types of elastic can make a huge difference in how your finished garment looks, feels, and lasts. From firm woven elastic for waistbands to soft knit elastic for kids’ clothing and durable swimwear elastic for chlorine resistance, each type has a specific purpose. If you are a beginner, start with knit elastic, as it is soft, easy to sew, and versatile for many projects.

As you gain experience, you can experiment with other elastic types, such as fold-over elastic for underwear or woven elastic for professional-quality waistbands. By understanding the different types of elastic and their uses, you’ll be able to choose the best option for every sewing project and achieve professional, long-lasting results.