How to Take the Stretch Out of an Elastic in Clothing

Co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby

Last Updated: October 3, 2023 References

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If you have a piece of clothing that just doesn’t seem to be fitting right because of the tight elastic, you can make some quick adjustments to better them for you. Luckily, you can make these adjustments without the use of a sewing machine. You can either stretch the elastic enough so that they fit comfortably, or you can entirely remove the elastic.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Heating the Elastic

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Turn on the iron and dampen a cloth. You want your iron on and set to the highest setting. Run a face cloth or hand towel under water until it is damp, but not soaked.
You can either pin each side of your pants to the ironing board—stretched to the desired length. Or, you can simply slide the pants around the ironing board until they are the proper width.

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Make sure it completely covers the elastic that you’re trying to stretch out. If needed, use two cloths.
With the damp cloth on top of your elastic band and your iron on the highest setting, iron over it. Iron for 10 seconds and then let sit for 10 seconds. Continue doing so for 5-10 minutes. This will help your pants fit because as the elastic heats, it will heightens the breaking weight. This means that it will be able to stretch more before reaching its limit.^{[1]
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If it hasn’t’ stretch enough, try flipping your elastic band and repeat the process. Do so until you reach your desired fit.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Stretching the Elastic

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If you have a chair that is the right size to stretch the elastic, that will work perfectly. If you don’t have a chair that’s the right size, you can try using the side of a small table, an empty drawer, or an empty poster frame.
Stretch your elastic clothing over your chair. If you can, line up the sides with the side of the chair. This will help stretch the elastic evenly.
Let your elastic sit, being stretched, for 24 hours. If the desired size still isn’t reached, put the elastic back in the stretched position and leave it for several days. Leave it in a warm place to help the elastic band stretch.^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing the Elastic

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This will make it much easier to work with. Plus, you will be less likely to make an error with your scissors if you can see what you’re doing.
Sometimes, elastics are sewn into the seam of clothing. If this is the case, you won’t be able to pull the elastic out of them if you cut the somewhere other than the seam. Find the seam by holding on one side of the seam and stretching the other side. If you feel the elastic shift, you are free to cut wherever you’d like. If you feel it snag at the seam, make sure to cut here.
To remove the elastic band from your clothing, make a slit (around ½”). If the elastic is sewn into the seam, you’ll have to cut the seam the size of the elastic.^{[4]
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Use scissors to go through your slit and cut the elastic. Cut through the entire elastic without cutting any more holes in your clothes.^{[5]
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Pull the elastic out. If you want to still be able to tie the pants snugly, affix a long shoelace or ribbon to one end of the elastic using a safety pin. When you pull out the elastic, pull on the end without the ribbon. This will guide your new tie through the waistband. If you do not want a tie, then just slowly pull the elastic out, being careful not to catch a lose string and bunch your fabric. Once the elastic is out/replaced, your clothes are ready to wear.
- You can sew the slit closed if you want to, but it’s not a necessary step before you wear your clothes.

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Question

Is there any way to stretch elastic?

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby

Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, for a quick fix I would take a pair of scissors and make very small snips here and there around the waist where the elastic is situated. That should allow the fabric to loosen up.

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Question

Can I stretch the elastic of my socks?

Community Answer

Yes, you may stretch the elastic in your socks following the same steps here.

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Question

How do I stretch the elastic in the waist of my jacket?

Community Answer

Having the jacket zipped closed (if it's a zipper jacket) and following any of these methods will stretch the elastic.

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Tips

If you'd rather not remove the entire band, make small snips around the waistline where the elastic is. This will help the material relax a bit.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.}

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If you’re not comfortable with an at-home way to stretch out the elastic, find a tailor or seamstress to help you.

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