Tutorial: Using Fold Over Elastic as a Knit Binding

Today, I’m showing you how I used fold over elastic in place of knit bindings. Let me know if you have questions!
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What I’m wearing:
Love Notions Lenox Top*: www.lovenotion...
Lipstick:
Ilia Color Block Lipstick in Cinnabar: iliabeauty.com...
Jenni’s PJs
Love Notion Luna Loungewear*: www.lovenotion...
Fabric (her color is no longer available): www.letssew.co...
Some fun fold over elastic: www.bowtiqueem...
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For reference: I am 5’2” and my measurements are as follows, upper bust 36”, full bust 40”, waist 33”, hip 40”

[@rosepedalable]

I had a one piece tomato red bathing suit in the 80s with the same neck line that had that exact rainbow elastic. I just loved that bathing suit! Thanks for the tutorial.

[@TomKatStitchery]

That sounds like an amazing bathing suit and now I want one!

[@susieweir2959]

Excellent tutorial. FOE can be so tricky, I will definitely try this method!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@deebuettner8017]

I bought so much FOE from that supplier! My granddaughter is going to love them!

[@TomKatStitchery]

That is awesome!

[@LuzMartinez-if1dw]

Omg ! Thank you soooooo much for this tutorial, I have the pattern but haven’t made it because of that binding . Giving it a try for sure , love your channel 😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@craftygrl1485]

I bought a clear foot for my Janome coverstitch machine, was a game changer. I have made several Luna loungewear gowns, but I need to be more accurate on the amount of strap on the top. I have one that came out wonky, one side has more strap than the other, makes it lopsided. I love the pattern though, so comfortable in a cotton or bamboo knit.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I actually think I might have a clear foot for that machine! I need to pull it out!

[@meggreen9669]

Thanks for the video! Never thought to use overlock to apply fold over elastic

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@norakathleenbertoglio4414]

So helpful thank you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@judykski4916]

I don't feel like twin needle topstitching provides the same amount of stretch that a coverstitch (CS) can give you. My first knit shirts with cotton knit were all topstiched with a twin needle and invaribly, the stitching would snap in one place or more on those hems. It was so frustrating. Of course, it may have been new knit sewers error since I didn't use a walking foot. I'm MUCH happier with the stretch provided by a CS machine so if one is available, be sure to use it. You'll be very happy you did. As far as skipped stitches on your CS, it's probably not the elastic in the FOE causing the skipped stitches. Are you using ELX-705 needles or the ones your machine came with? It could also be the thread you're using. Also, test out stitching on every "new" material you are using, in this case, the FOE. Do a test run on a scrap before you get started to see if you need to readjust your tensions. The prep is worth its' weight in gold.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I agree that the coverstitch does have more stretching capabilities than the twin needle. I LOVE my overstitch machine!

[@pmclaughlin4111]

Interesting-never thought of using a twin needle (or a walking foot for FOE. ) I use a zigzag stitich I was just making some undies using FOE (Megan Nielsen's Acacia) and I just zig zagged on the elastic.. I found 40 yard reels on Amazon during the pandemic and have several colors. I don't even precut any more because I have made the Acacia so many times.

[@TomKatStitchery]

A zig zag works really great as well! That pattern is a great one!

[@katieb1836]

I think of Rainbow Brite dolls. Very cute!

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's exactly what I thought of 😂.

[@laurahovey391]

I used the 1 inch FOE that you can get at Joann’s and the star markings on the pattern. My arm straps turned out super tight so everything is pulled up. I may have made a mistake with the length but I had been thinking that it could be due to the thicker FOE not relaxing as much. Unfortunately, I used a bamboo jersey that I love and a triple zig zag stitch that I can’t even see to pick out. I wish I had done it this way because worse case scenario the cover stitch is easy to remove!

[@TomKatStitchery]

That is a good point about the coverstitch. It does make it easy to remove if you need to!

[@lindacrusco-stebbins9187]

Whitney- on your Coverstitch machine what stitch length & differential feed did you have set? thanks, linda

[@TomKatStitchery]

My stitch length is on a 4 and the differential is at a 1.

[@lindacrusco-stebbins9187]

TU@@TomKatStitchery

[@libbybennett3067]

Thanks Whitney. That looks a bit fiddley. Will have to practice that one.

[@TomKatStitchery]

You can do it!

[@louannreilly8270]

So, are you saying that the FOE should be cut at the same 85% ratio that the bands would be cut ?

[@TomKatStitchery]

The pattern uses knit bindings, so they aren't shortened like a band would be necessarily. The pieces on the front and back are shorter than the neck edge so that it hugs the body, but I don't think that's the case with the armholes. I would cut the FOE the same as you would cut a knit binding (not necessarily a knit band). Does that make sense?

[@annholleman9504]

Hobby Lobby sells fold over elastic. It is sold on their cardboard spools with the ribbons. It is not called fold over elastic. One of the numbers on a spool is 415521. It is only 1/2 inch wide. I found it by accident. I thought I was buying ribbon. You have to look carefully at the spools for the mark down the center of the elastic.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Mine used to sell it, but they don't anymore. You're lucky that yours still carries it!

[@lynnm.johnson5755]

My Joann's also sells it on spools mixed in with the ribbons. Wawak sells it in 6 colors.

[@TomKatStitchery]

@@lynnm.johnson5755 I’m going to have to look at JoAnns to see if mine carries it!

[@debbiebridges8807]

I love for but was not good using the cover stitch thank you.

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️