Elastic Repair Tutorial

Materials needed:

  • Polyester thread
  • Seam ripper
  • Two 3/8” poly-braid elastic at 5 ½ inches long
  • Scissors
  • Needle
Step 1

Step 1: This is roughly the amount of top-stitching to undo by a SEAM RIPPER. About 1-2 inches if you stretch it.

Step 2

This is what the opening looks like where the elastic was TACKED on.

Step 3

Step 2:   Flip out seam allowance and see where ‘old’  elastic is TACKED and use seam ripper to undo TACKED stitches. Hold on to that end of elastic and you can attach new elastic to it with a ‘double’ stitch.

Step 4

Double stitch is just a single stitch that is done again in the same spot to secure elastics together so you can pull the new elastic into the casing while pulling out the old elastic after you undo the other end of the casing near the wing or rise snaps.

Step 3:  With a threaded needle with polyester thread, use a running stitch back and forth at least 3 times to secure elastic to seam allowance where the old elastic was and tie a knot.

Step 4:  Sew openings closed using either a whip stich or the slip stitch. I used the slip stitch.

Step 5: After closing seam, do an ‘overhand knot close to the diaper and insert your needle to ‘old’ topstitching and sew new topstitching using the straight stitch with some backstitching.

Step 6: You do 1 forward stitch then a back stitch, then a forward stitch then a backstitch until you reach the original topstitching and tie a knot on inside of diaper.

New hand-sewn topstitching near wing of diaper.

Step 7: With other end of new elastic tack using the running stitch back and forth at least 3 times to secure to seam allowance.

Step 8:  Sew opening closed using a whip stitch or slip stitch. Again I used a slip stitch. When you get to the end of opening tie a knot and insert needle to come out where the original topstitching was.

Just a close up of new hand-sewn topstitching.

New elastic and a finished side done. Repeat steps for other side if needed.