If you have clothes that are uncomfortable to wear because the elastic in your clothes is too tight, you can change them to make them fit better for you. Luckily, you can fix it without using a sewing machine. You can stretch it so it feels more comfortable or let it go.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Heating the Elastic
Step 1. Turn on the iron and dampen the cloth
Set the iron to the highest temperature. Moisten a face towel or hand towel, but don't let it get wet.
Step 2. Prepare your pants
You can attach the pants to the ironing board using a needle; stretch it to the size you want or you can tuck the ironing board into the pants until the pants stretch to the size you want.
Step 3. Place your dampened cloth on top of the elastic
Make sure the towel covers the entire surface of the elastic you want to stretch. If needed, use two towels.
Step 4. Iron the elastic
With a damp towel over the elastic and the iron set to the highest temperature, iron the elastic for 10 seconds then let it sit for 10 seconds. Keep doing this for 5-10 minutes. This process will make the elastic of your pants stretch because when heated, the stretch tolerance of the elastic or breaking weight will increase. That is, the elastic will be able to stretch wider before reaching its maximum limit.
Step 5. Repeat as needed
If the elastic isn't stretchy enough, try turning your elastic over and repeating the previous process. Keep doing this until you get the size you want.
Method 2 of 3: Stretching the Elastic
Step 1. Take a chair
If you have a chair that fits the width of the elastic you want, use it. If you don't have a chair of the right size, you can try using one of the sides of a small table, an empty drawer, or an empty poster frame.
Step 2. Stretch by tucking the back of the chair into the pants
If possible, align the sides of the pants with the sides of the chair. This will help stretch the elastic evenly.
Step 3. Silence
Leave your pants in the stretched position for 24 hours. If you still don't get the size you want, stretch it again and leave it for a few days. Place it in a warm place to help the elastic stretch.
Method 3 of 3: Removing the Elastic
Step 1. Turn the clothes over
This will make your job easier and you are less likely to make mistakes when cutting if you can see what you are doing.
Step 2. Find the seam of the hem on the inside
Sometimes, the elastic is sewn into the seams of clothing. If the elastic is sewn inside the seam and you don't cut exactly where the elastic is sewn, the elastic will not be able to be pulled out of the garment. Find the seam of the seam by grasping one side of the garment and stretching it to the opposite side. If the elastic moves, it means that you can cut the elastic in any position. However, if you feel the elastic is caught in the seam, make sure you cut in the position where the elastic is stuck.
Step 3. Make a small tear on the inside of the garment
To remove the elastic, make a small tear (about inch). If the elastic is sewn into the seam of the garment, you will need to tear the seam as wide as the elastic.
Step 4. Cut the elastic
Use the scissors to cut the elastic through the small tear you have made in the seam of the garment. Cut elastic without creating more tears in your clothes.
Step 5. Pull the elastic
Gently pull out the elastic. Do not get caught in the thread fibers as this will make the fabric wrinkle. Once the elastic has been removed, your clothes are ready to wear.
