Types, Properties and Uses of Elastic in Clothing
Md. Jasimuddin Mandal
Govt. College of Engineering and Textile Technology,
Serampore, India.
Email ID: jasimmandal@gmail.com
Elastic Band:
Elastic (Elastic band) is a longitudinal elastic elongation properties flat with narrow pieces of fabric, also known as wide-tight elastic band. Elastic is widely used as garment accessories in clothing. English name translation elastic: elastic band. It refers to a stretchy material or an item made with this pliable substance. Bands made of it are most frequently prepared by weaving together strands of rubber, latex, or other flexible material that can return to its original shape after being stretched or extended when force is released. Tops, pants, dresses, swimwear, aerobic wear—the list is seemingly endless when it comes to using elastic as the hidden shaping secret. Here are the basic study of elastic which is used in clothing that every creative person needs to know about.
Classification of Elastic Band:
Elastic band method is divided into different categories according to weaving woven elastic, knitting elastic, woven elastic band. By the elastic woven cotton or chemical fiber as the warp and weft, with a rubber silk (silk or spandex latex) according to certain rules interwoven. Plain weave fabric can be used, re-level, twill, double, and by organizations such as jacquard. Woven elastic texture more closely, species diversity.
Nylon/rubber elastic has a soft luster and is used on swimwear and lingerie. It is machine washable, but should not be dried in medium heat.
Cotton/rubber elastic does shrink, but not a lot. It should be dry cleaned. It is ideal for wash and wear fabrics and can be dried in medium to high tempt. It is perfect for the natural fiber lover.
Knitted elastic is soft, strong and appropriate for most apparel items because its light weight. Woven elastic is very strong and usually thicker than other elastics. Its used on heavy weight fabrics, including home decorating fabric, car covers, bags etc.
Types and Properties of Elastic Band:
There are many kinds of elastic band, each with different stretch and recovery characteristics. They are suitable for different applications, depending on the type and fiber content. Stores may not carry all of the different kinds. You will need to shop around or order from a sewing catalog. As new ones enter the market, others may be removed. Directions for applying elastic are generally found on the back of the package. For best results, always use a ball point sewing machine needle when sewing on elastic. Types and their properties of elastic band are described below.
Braided Elastic:
- Strong, general-purpose elastic
- Sizes: ⅛”–⅜” (3mm–10mm)
- Fiber content: 100 percent polyester
- Use for fabric casings and swimwear
Woven Elastic:
(Non-Roll and Ribbed Non-Roll)
- Strong elastic that resists rolling and twisting
- Sizes: .”–1″ (13mm–25mm)
- Fiber content: 100 percent polyester
- Use for waistbands and other areas that require a strong elastic
Knitted Elastic:
- Soft and stretchy elastic
- Sizes: .”–1.” (13mm–38mm)
- Fiber content: 67 percent polyester and 33 percent rubber
- Use mainly for knit sportswear and underwear
Heavy Stretch Waistband Elastic:
- Heavy elastic that is soft and stretchy
- Size: 1.” (38mm)
- Fiber content: 65 percent polyester and 33 percent rubber
- Use primarily for waistbands in a casing (pages 31–32), or stitch it directly onto the fabric
Clear Elastic:
- Very stretchy: Stretches 3–4 times its original length
- Size: ⅜” (10mm)
- Fiber content: 100 percent polyurethane
- Use to stabilize knit seams or to finish neckline, armhole and leg openings on swimwear and activewear
Waistband Elastics:
When applying elastic in a casing, preshrink it before measuring. If elastic is stitched on, it does not require preshrinking.
No-Roll or Non-Roll:
An elastic that does not roll or twist. It is a woven elastic with lateral ribs. Use it in casings.
Knit Non-Roll:
A mono filament elastic that does not roll and shows minimal shrinkage. Use it in waistline casings.
Skirt Waistband Elastic:
Elastic that is designed for a gathered waistline finish. The lower edge has a 1/4 inch stitching guide.
Underwear and Pajama Elastic:
An elastic that has a soft stretch and texture to make it comfortable to wear against the skin. It is stitched directly to the wrong side of fabric.
Stretchband:
An elastic with vertical mono filament threads with an open see-through look that pops back to its original shape. It does not roll and is lightweight.
Drawstring:
An elastic with a drawstring inserted in the center. It is a good choice for sweatpants, gym shorts, or other casual sportswear.
Sport Elastic:
An elastic constructed with four unbraided lengthwise rows. You stitch in the unbraided rows, stretching the elastic to fit.
Stitch and Stretch Elastic:
An elastic with a polyester woven band with rows of spandex elastic threaded through. Stitch on the blue lines provided. The elastic is pulled up to create gathers. Use it for waistbands and cuffs. It is not recommended for heavy fabrics.
Ruffled Elastic:
An elastic that is 2-3 inches wide and comes in fashion colors with one ruffled edge. When applied it is totally exposed as the waistband.
Specialty Elastics
Lingerie Elastic:
An elastic that has one or two picot edges with a soft backing for comfort against the skin. It is used for half slips and panties.
Transparent Clear Elastic:
An elastic made from 100% polyurethane. It stretches three to four times its original length. Before applying clear elastic, stretch and release it several times before applying to ensure 100% recovery. If cut or nicked with scissors, the stretch and recovery are not affected. Use it for stitched-on or topstitched applications in swimwear, aerobic wear and lightweight fabrics. It can also be used to stabilize seams in knit garments.
Buttonhole Elastic:
An elastic with buttonhole slots made 1 inch apart in unknitted sections. This allows for easy waistline adjustments on children’s wear, maternity wear or whenever waistline adjustments are needed.
Cycling or Waistband Elastic:
An elastic with exposed rows of elastic thread that grips the skin or garment. It keeps pant legs from riding up and shirttails from coming untucked.
Stretchlace Elastic:
An elastic designed especially for lingerie. It is soft and flexible and shapes to the body.
Elastic Thread:
Elastic thread is a very thin covered core wrapped with cotton or acetate, used for shirring, smocking and other decorative stitching. Wind bobbin with elastic thread using the bobbin winder or you may need to wind the bobbin by hand, slightly stretching the elastic thread.
Fold-over Elastic:
This satin-finished elastic of 81% nylon and 19% Lycra folds in half and stays in place while you stitch. On knits, use it in place of bias tape to finish a neckline or edge of sleeve.
Uses of Elastic Band as Garment Accessories:
Elastic band as garment accessories, are widely used in garment cuffs, hem, bra, garter, waistband, waist, shoes, mouth, and sports and health of body stretch bar and so on. Particularly suitable for underwear, pants, baby clothes, sweaters, sportswear, aerobics clothing, wedding dresses, T-shirts, hats, bras, masks and other clothing products. The use of warp knitted elastic woven weft insertion methods. Crochet needles in the warp or the role of the tongue, the sets form a series chain, parallel lining in the series chain, the dispersion of the compilation chain, connected with the root, the rubber-coated wire from the compilation chain, or by two parallel clamping. Knitted elastic band were able to weave a variety of small patterns, color bars and crescent edges, loose texture, soft, nylon stretch yarn used in most raw materials, products, mostly for women’s bras and underwear. Elastic woven elastic band, also known as tablet weaving, the warp yarn through the spindle around the rubber press “8” shaped track woven. With the body lines were herringbone, bandwidth is generally 0.3 to 2 cm, the texture between the woven and knitted elastic band between the varieties rather monotonous, and more for clothing.
Elastic material used for the production of: pay attention to green living in today, elastic band tends to use non-toxic harmless to the TPU as a raw material. And can be added to the high-elastic auxiliary aids in order to enhance its flexibility. By hot fix rhinestone the net arrangement.
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Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
