Sewing Lingerie & Decorative Trims: A Guide to Printed and Narrow Elastics
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Decorative elastics do two jobs at once — they finish an edge and they are the trim. For lingerie, kidswear and craft the choices come down to width (usually 6–15 mm), edge style (flat, picot or scalloped), surface (plush-back for skin comfort, or printed for pattern), and how much stretch you trade away for the decoration.
Common decorative elastic types
- Picot / lingerie elastic — one or both edges carry a fine looped scallop. Used on bra edges, knicker legs and necklines.
- Plush-back elastic — a soft brushed face that sits against the skin; common on bra bands.
- Fold-over elastic (FOE) — folds along a centre line to bind a raw edge in one pass; popular for kidswear, bibs and headbands.
- Printed elastic — a pattern printed onto a flat knitted or woven base, adding colour without a separate trim.
Our 13 mm floral printed elastic and 11 mm multi-coloured elastic are both narrow decorative options with finished edges.
Working with printed elastic
- The print sits on one face — sew with the printed side out.
- Hand wash or use a gentle cycle and lay flat to dry; a hot tumble or a direct iron can lift the print.
- Test the thread colour on a scrap: a matching thread disappears, a contrast thread becomes part of the design.
- Cut it gently — about 0.85–0.95 of the edge length — so the pattern stays legible rather than bunching.
Shirring and gathered bodices
Shirring elastic is a fine elastic core wrapped in thread. Wind it loosely onto the bobbin by hand and sew rows on the right side of the fabric to create stretchy gathers — used for smocked dresses, cuffs and bodice backs. Cotton shirring elastic has a soft cotton cover that grips thread well and feels comfortable against the skin. Sew rows 6–10 mm apart and steam the finished panel to tighten the gather.
Narrow elastics for kidswear
- 5–12 mm braided or knitted for sleeve and leg casings.
- Soft knitted or fold-over elastic for necklines that pull over the head — comfort matters more than power.
- Printed or striped elastic, such as our 11 mm multi-coloured elastic, turns a plain casing into a feature.
Choosing quickly
| Application | Elastic |
|---|---|
| Bra edge / knicker leg | 6–12 mm picot or plush-back |
| Bind a raw edge (kidswear, bibs) | 15–20 mm fold-over elastic |
| Decorative waistband, cuffs | 11–13 mm printed or striped elastic |
| Smocked bodice, shirred cuffs | shirring elastic on the bobbin |
| Necklines over the head | soft knitted, gentle cut ratio |
FAQs
What is picot elastic?
Lingerie elastic with a looped scalloped edge on one or both sides, used as a decorative finished edge on underwear and bras.
Which side of printed elastic faces out?
The printed face. Sew with the pattern visible and the plain back against the fabric or skin.
Can I put decorative elastic through the wash?
Yes, but wash cool and dry flat. Heat is what lifts prints and flattens picot edges over time.
What elastic do I use for a shirred dress?
Shirring elastic wound loosely onto the bobbin, sewn in parallel rows from the right side, then steamed.
How tight should I cut decorative elastic?
Looser than a waistband — about 5–15% shorter than the edge — so the decoration stays crisp.
Source decorative elastic for your line
Designing a lingerie or kidswear line? Send us your decorative elastic specification and we will quote trade quantities.