Sewing Elastic & Elastic Tape

Sewing elastics are engineered differently based on how they react to being stitched and stretched. Flat waistband elastics (available in widths up to 7.5cm) are highly durable and designed to slide into fabric casings. Cord and braided elastics (such as our 6, 8, 10, and 16 cord variants) narrow slightly when stretched and are best suited for narrow casing channels in cuffs and necklines. Specialised lines—such as rubber-based swimwear elastic, non-slip bra elastic, and buttonhole elastic—are built with specific compound blends to offer targeted performance, comfort, and chemical resistance.

Peterstretch non-roll elastic (available in our collection in 25mm and 32mm widths) is a premium waistband elastic constructed with a unique ribbed texture. Standard flat elastics can easily twist, fold, or roll inside a waistband casing when the wearer moves or when the garment is put through the wash. Peterstretch non-roll elastic is designed with vertical ribs that give it immense lateral rigidity; it can stretch lengthwise effortlessly but resists folding horizontally. This makes it the absolute gold standard choice for sweatpants, children’s trousers, and casual skirt waistbands.

You should never use standard polyester or cotton-wrapped sewing elastics for swimwear. Normal elastics will quickly lose their stretch, rot, and collapse when exposed to chlorine, pool chemicals, salt water, and intense body heat. Our swimwear elastic (available in 8mm, 1cm, and 2cm widths) is specifically formulated from high-quality rubber. It is completely unaffected by pool treatments or salt water, ensuring your handmade bikinis, swimsuits, and athletic wear retain their snug fit and elastic tension for years to come.

Shirring elastic is a very fine elastic thread used to create decorative, stretchy, gathered panels on summer dresses and blouses. To use it, you wind the shirring elastic onto your sewing machine bobbin by hand with light, even tension, while threading your standard polyester thread through the top needle. Sewing straight parallel lines across your fabric will automatically gather it into beautiful, elasticated pleats. On the other hand, clear elastic beading cord (1mm) and our carded beading elastic packs are non-fibred, highly flexible cords used primarily for stringing beads to make handmade jewellery, hair accessories, and delicate crafts.