Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
The best elastic for children's clothing is a soft knitted elastic with a gentle stretch that holds the garment without pressing on the tummy or leaving marks on the skin. Babywear uses narrow, very soft bands, children's trousers and skirts 15–30 mm, and for growing children buttonhole elastic is convenient, as it allows the waist to be adjusted.
What is different about elastic for children's clothing
Children's skin is more sensitive, and children move a lot, sit on the floor, run and sleep in their clothes. That is why elastic in childrenswear has to meet several conditions at once:
- low pressure – the waist and cuffs must not squeeze, especially with babies, whose tummy is relatively large;
- softness – no rough edges and no stiff areas that scratch;
- easy dressing – enough elongation for the garment to pass over the head or hips without effort;
- resistance to frequent washing – children's clothes are washed far more often than adults';
- secure attachment – the elastic must not pull out or tear during play.
Soft knitted elastic, sewn directly onto jersey or inserted into a casing, meets these requirements well.
Elastic for babywear
In babywear elastic is used sparingly and with minimal tension. Typical positions are the waist of rompers and baby trousers, the cuffs of sleeves and legs, and the edge of hats. Narrow bands of 6 to 15 mm are preferred, covered with fabric so that the elastic does not touch the skin directly. If the elastic is exposed, choose a version with a brushed soft side facing the body.
With baby waistbands, it is important that the elastic is not shortened too much. A good rule is that once dressed, two fingers should slide freely between the waistband and the tummy.
Elastic for children's trousers
Children's trousers, joggers and leggings are usually made with a fully elasticated waist – no zip or button. Bands of 15 to 30 mm are used, depending on age and fabric. For jersey trousers, soft knitted elastic is quite sufficient. For denser fabrics such as denim or corduroy and for older children, a more stable choice is woven elastic, which does not roll in the casing.
Buttonhole elastic for an adjustable waist
Buttonhole elastic has holes at equal intervals along the middle of the band. It is inserted into a casing on the inside of the waistband, and its ends are hooked onto buttons sewn inside. This way the waist can be tightened or let out according to the child's growth – the same trousers fit for a longer period. Such elastic is often used in children's jeans and classic-cut trousers, and fastening requires flat buttons of a suitable size.
Elastic for children's pyjamas
Children's pyjamas call for the softest option. Bands of 10 to 25 mm for the waist and 6–10 mm for cuffs are suitable. Elastic in a casing should be only a few millimetres narrower than the casing so that it does not twist during sleep. For small children's pyjamas, elastic is preferred to a drawstring, because it does not come undone and creates no risk of entanglement.
Elastic widths by age and product
| Product | Babies | Children |
|---|---|---|
| Trouser / romper waist | 10–20 mm | 15–30 mm |
| Sleeve and leg cuffs | 6–10 mm | 8–15 mm |
| Pyjama waist | 10–15 mm | 15–25 mm |
| Skirt, dress (waist) | – | 15–25 mm |
| Adjustable waist (buttonhole elastic) | – | 15–20 mm |
The values are approximate and are confirmed according to the fabric, the cut and the sample fitting.
Elastic or drawstring in children's clothing
The European standard EN 14682 governs the safety of cords and drawstrings in children's clothing. It restricts or prohibits drawstrings in the head and neck area for young children and sets requirements for the length of free ends elsewhere. That is why in children's fashion elastic often replaces the drawstring – in hoods, waistbands and hems. If you do use a drawstring, check the standard's requirements for the relevant age group and area of the garment.
How to choose elastic for children's clothing
- Decide whether the elastic will go in a casing or be sewn on directly.
- Choose the width according to age and product – see the table above.
- Check how soft it feels, especially if the elastic will be exposed.
- Test the stretch on a sample – the garment must be easy to put on.
- Wash the sample repeatedly and check for relaxation and distortion.
- Confirm the composition so you can state it correctly on the label.
Common mistakes
- Elastic that is too short in babywear – it squeezes the tummy and leaves marks.
- Stiff, wide elastic in thin jersey – the garment gathers unevenly.
- Unsecured elastic in the casing – it twists and pulls out in the wash.
- No wash test – the elastic relaxes after the first few washes.
Elastic for children's clothing from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags. We supply knitted elastic in various widths and colours, buttonhole elastic and the rest of the haberdashery for childrenswear, with delivery across the EU. Send us a description of the collection and the sizes via our inquiry page – we will prepare samples and a quote.
