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How To An Alternative To Knicker Elastic

Add a retro finish to your favourite knickers

Posted by Pamela C.

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I've been working on a new bloomer shape but instead of knicker elastic I've been using bias binding threaded with elastic. It gives the knicker a cute retro look, here's how you do it....

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  • 1 ½ m 11mm Bias Binding polyester or silk
  • 1 ½ m 6mm Elastic soft

Steps (9 steps, 40 minutes)

  1. 1

    First, stitch the knicker front and back together at the crotch and side seams and then neaten. With right sides together stitch the bias binding (I've been using a soft satin bias 11mm wide) around one leg opening. Stitch just to the right of the fold rather than right on the fold.

  2. 2

    When you've almost stitched the binding the entire way around stop leaving a gap of about 5cm so you can make a join in your bias binding.

  3. 3

    With right sides together make a join in your binding. Check its correct by pinning first.

  4. 4

    Trim away the excess binding, press the seam open and pin in place.

  5. 5

    Stitch this section to the leg opening as before.

  6. 6

    Flip the bias binding to the wrong side, press and then stitch along the free edge leaving a small opening to insert the elastic.

  7. 7

    Repeat steps 1 - 6 for the other leg and waist.

  8. 8

    Give the knicker a good press.

  9. 9

    Thread elastic through the openings you've left using a small safety pin. Take care not to twist the elastic. The amount you need will depend on your size, a general rule is the total circumference of the opening x .66 Once confirmed overlap the elastic by a couple of cm's and using a zig-zag stitch, stitch back and forth a few times on the overlapped section. Using a straight stitch, stitch the opening in the bias binding closed....and voilà!