How to replace the elastic in a waistband
Short answer: Cut a small hole in the waistband from the inside, pull the old elastic out with a safety pin, thread in a new one and close the hole. It is a small job, and the waistband sits firmly again.
When new elastic is worth it
A waistband loses its spring over time, so the trousers slide down even though the fabric is intact. If the rest of the garment is in good shape, new elastic can give it a longer life. It is a small job with few tools: a safety pin, scissors and new elastic of the right width and length.
Can your waistband be changed
Most waistbands are a fabric tunnel with elastic inside, and those can be replaced. If the elastic is sewn directly into the fabric all the way round, it cannot be pulled out, and the repair is not possible. Feel along the inside with your fingers. If you find loose elastic moving in the tunnel, you are ready.
How to find your way in
Cut a two centimetre hole in the inner side of the tunnel, close to the seam so it does not show outside. Cut the fabric, not the elastic itself. Use small, pointed scissors and cut carefully so you do not take too much. The hole only needs to be big enough for you to reach the elastic.
Pull out the old elastic
Find the end of the old elastic and draw it out through the hole. If it is stuck, cut it in two and pull the halves out separately from each side. Check the tunnel afterwards and remove fluff and loose threads, so the new elastic slides through easily.
Choose the same width
Buy new elastic in the same width as the tunnel, or it will roll up and form a lump inside. If it is too narrow it slips around, and if it is too wide it fills the tunnel and cannot be pulled through. Take a piece of the old elastic to the shop if you can, to compare widths.
The length of the new one
Measure your own waist and subtract four to six centimetres, so the waistband holds without squeezing. Cut the elastic to that length and remember the join uses two centimetres of overlap. Try the elastic around your waist before you thread it into the tunnel, to feel whether it is comfortable.
Threading it through
Attach a safety pin to the end of the new elastic and push it through the tunnel, gathering the fabric around the pin. Hold the other end firmly, or it disappears into the tunnel and you have to start over. See our bamboo underpants for men.
Join the ends and close the hole
Once the elastic has come all the way round, lay the ends over each other by two centimetres and sew them together with several stitches back and forth. Pull the elastic back into the tunnel and close the hole with small stitches by hand or machine. Check that the elastic is not twisted.
Is it worth the effort
On a garment that is otherwise whole, yes. If the fabric is worn thin, it does not pay, because the garment will not last long enough for the new waistband to matter. It is the small repair that can save a good pair of trousers or sleepwear. See our bamboo sweatpants for men and bamboo sleepwear for men.
Frequently asked questions
Can every waistband be changed
No. Elastic that is sewn directly into the fabric cannot be pulled out. Feel the inside to check that there is a tunnel with loose elastic before you cut into anything.
How wide should the elastic be
The same width as the tunnel, or it rolls up. Compare with the old one before you buy, and take a small piece of it along when you shop for new elastic.
Is it worth the effort
On a garment that is otherwise whole, yes. On a worn-thin garment, no. Think about how much life the fabric has left before you spend an evening on replacing the elastic.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
