How To Stitch Dress?

Do i need elastic cord or can i use a flat elastic for a waistband in a dress?

• I am making a dress from the New Look no.6091 pattern, it is a top or the longer option is a dress. I have already made the top and when i done the waistband i put the elastic on the top by using a chaser well now i am making the dress i don't want to use that way of doing the waistband so i looked on the website www.burdastyle.com and went into the learner part of sewing with elastic cord, it told me to use a zig zag stitch larger than the cord so when stitching is finished you can pull the elastic to the desired look or measurement, this is the way i want to do mine because i will be putting a sash round to cover the area, but can i do the same sort of idea by using a flat elastic or do i need the cord?. I appreciate anyone who can help me do this or give me any suggestions, i have made clothes before but they have always had waistbands or zips, i have had to change the way i wear clothes now because i am in a wheelchair and making them myself is great because i can do them how i need them even if i do have to alter the pattern slightly. Thanks for any ones help. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

• Answer:

  It will be a lot more difficult with a flat elastic, since these are considerably wider than the cords. Your zigzag stitch has to be wider than the width of the elastic, since what you are doing in effect with this method is creating a casing for the elastic using thread (the zigzag stitches) instead of fabric. Most flat elastics are wider than most zigzag stitches.