Kristian Ferrell
Stretched-out elastic waistbands are a common issue, and replacing them can give new life to your favourite basketball shorts. The process of replacing elastic in basketball shorts is relatively simple and can be done by hand or with a sewing machine. The first step is to measure the waistband to determine the length and width of the replacement elastic. The new elastic should be 5-10 cm shorter than the desired waist measurement to ensure a comfortable fit. Once the new elastic is acquired, the old elastic can be removed by unpicking the stitching and releasing it from the fabric casing. The new elastic can then be inserted into the fabric casing, stretched to the desired tension, and sewn in place with a zig-zag stitch. For a more professional finish, the ends of the elastic can be joined together with a needle and thread before being sewn shut inside the fabric casing.
How to replace elastic in basketball shorts
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to replace elastic | When the elastic is stretched out, old, or weak |
| Before replacing | Measure the amount of waistband fabric turned over to the wrong side. Decide on the width and length of the replacement elastic. |
| Replacement elastic length | 5-10 cm shorter than the waist or wherever the shorts sit |
| Replacement process | Thread elastic through the existing casing, or sew elastic on the inside of the waistband. |
| Sewing technique | Zig-zag stitch, overcasting, or joining stitch |
| Stitching options | Leave old elastic in place and insert a new piece, or unpick the stitching, remove and replace the elastic, then sew the waistband back in place. |
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What You'll Learn
Measure the waistband to determine the length and width of the elastic needed
Before measuring the waistband, you need to decide how wide you want the elastic band to be. The width of the elastic band will depend on whether you are sewing it directly onto the fabric or into a casing. If you are sewing an exposed waistband, you might want it to be over 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. If you're inserting the elastic waistband into a casing, you'll probably want standard white elastic as it won't be visible. If you are sewing the waistband directly onto the fabric, you can buy fashion elastic that comes in bright colors or patterns. For children's clothing, get elastic that is closer to 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) wide.
To measure the waistband, you need to first measure your waist with a fabric measuring tape. Decide how high you want your garment to sit on your waist and wrap the tape around your waist at that point. For example, you might wrap the tape measure around your waist about 3 inches (8 cm) below your navel for traditional low-rise pants. Then, read the measurement. If you don't have a fabric measuring tape, wrap a string or piece of yarn around your waist and then use a ruler to measure the length.
After you have your waist measurement, subtract 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) from it and cut the elastic to size. If your waist measurement is 30 inches (76 cm), subtract 2 inches (5 cm) to get an elastic measurement of 28 inches (71 cm).
You can then wrap the elastic around your waist and pin it to see if it is comfortable. If it is too loose or slides down, cut the elastic shorter. If it is comfortable, you can begin sewing your waistband.
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Cut a strip of elastic to the size of your waist
To replace the elastic in your basketball shorts, you'll need to cut a new strip of elastic to size. Before cutting, you must first measure your waist with a fabric measuring tape. It's important to decide how high you want your shorts to sit on your waist—for example, you might want them to sit about 3 inches below your navel for a traditional low-rise style.
Once you have your waist measurement, subtract 2 inches (or 5 cm) from it to get the length of elastic you'll need. For example, if your waist measurement is 30 inches, you'll want to cut your elastic to 28 inches. This is because the elastic needs to stretch a little to give a comfortable fit; if it's too loose, it will sag in the garment.
If you can't measure your waist, you can search online for average waist measurements by size. Alternatively, you can wrap the elastic around your waist and adjust the length until it feels comfortable. This is the length you want to cut.
After cutting your elastic to size, you can begin sewing it into your basketball shorts.
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Pin the new elastic to the shorts
Once you have your new elastic, it's time to pin it to your basketball shorts. This process will differ depending on the type of waistband your shorts have.
If your shorts have exposed elastic, you will need to cut a strip of elastic to size. Wrap the elastic around your waist where you want the shorts to sit, pull it snug, and cut the strip. Pin the new elastic to the outside of the shorts, with about a half-inch of fabric overlap. Make sure the elastic is stretched out, and secure it with pins at the beginning, end, and halfway point.
For hidden elastic waistbands, you will need to cut a strip of elastic to the size of your waist. Find where the old elastic is sewn into the pants and cut a hole large enough to remove the old elastic and insert the new. Attach a safety pin to one end of the new elastic and insert it into the hole, pushing it through until the pin comes out the other side.
If your shorts have multiple rows of stitching holding the elastic in, you will need to pick out the stitching before inserting the new elastic. You can then sew the waistband back in place by machine or hand.
When pinning the new elastic, make sure it is only the elastic that is stretched out, not the shorts fabric.
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Sew the new elastic to the shorts
Before you sew new elastic into your basketball shorts, you need to measure how much elastic you will need. Measure the waistband of the shorts and cut the elastic to that length. If the waistband is worn, you may want to use the original width of elastic, or you can make it narrower to hide the wear and tear. The elastic should be 5-10 cm shorter than your waist, or wherever the shorts sit on you. Wrap the elastic around you and see how much stretch you need and what is comfortable.
Once you have your elastic, you can begin to sew. If you are inserting the elastic through the existing waistband, attach a safety pin to one end of the new elastic and insert it into the hole. Push the elastic through, making sure the other end stays outside the shorts. When the pin comes through the other side, attach the two ends together with a pin and sew them together. Make this seam as flat as possible so that you can't feel it. You can use a zig-zag stitch to sew the ends together. Then, put the elastic inside the hole and sew it shut.
If you are sewing the elastic to the inside of the waistband, pin the new elastic to the shorts with about a half-inch of fabric overlapping. Make sure the elastic is stretched out, and pin at the beginning, end, and halfway point. Start sewing the elastic with a zig-zag, overcasting, or joining stitch. When you get back to the beginning, sew a couple of stitches that overlap. Also, sew the ends of the elastic together.
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Seal off the ends of the new elastic
To seal off the ends of the new elastic in basketball shorts, there are several methods you can use. One popular method is to use an aglet to seal off the ends. Aglets are small, plastic caps that can be placed over the ends of the elastic to prevent fraying and provide a neat finish. You can purchase aglets online or at most craft stores.
Another option is to tie off the ends of the elastic securely. This can be done by simply tying a tight knot at each end of the elastic. This method is quick and easy, but may not be as durable as using aglets.
If you are inserting the new elastic through a casing, you can overlap the two ends of the elastic by 1/2 inch and sew them together in a circle. This will create a continuous loop of elastic that can be left exposed or hidden within the casing.
Additionally, you can cut small holes on either side of the back seam of the shorts to thread the new elastic through. Once the elastic is in place, you can sew closed these openings with a zig-zag stitch to secure the ends and prevent them from slipping back through the holes.
When sealing off the ends of the new elastic, it is important to ensure that the elastic is not too tight or too loose. The elastic should be cut to fit comfortably around the waist, with a little stretch for ease of movement.
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Frequently asked questions
Measure the waistband of the basketball shorts, and subtract 5-10 cm from this length. This is the length of elastic you will need to buy.
You have two options: leave the old elastic in place and insert a new piece, or unpick the stitching, remove the old elastic, and sew the new elastic in place.
You can use the casing of the string to thread through the new elastic.
Overlap the two ends of the elastic by 1/2", and sew together in a circle using a zig-zag stitch.
