Fold Over Elastic for Bralette Making
Soft, flexible, and comfortable against the skin, fold over elastic is a clean and practical way to finish bralette edges, bands, and straps without bulky binding or extra finishing steps.
Fold over elastic is a favorite for bralette sewing because it wraps raw edges, adds stretch where needed, and creates a smooth, polished finish that feels comfortable during wear.
Designed for direct skin contact, making it a comfortable option for intimate apparel.
Folds neatly over raw fabric edges for a more professional look without separate trim or binding.
Adds gentle stretch and structure to areas like cups, bands, and straps.
Simple to sew with a zig-zag or stretch stitch and works well for both first projects and production sewing.
Different areas of a bralette benefit from different widths of fold over elastic. Choosing the right size can help improve comfort, shaping, and overall support.
Best for cups, neckline, and underarm edges
Best for underbust bands and bottom edges
Best for longline styles and extra support
5/8" (15mm)
3/4" (20mm)
1" (25mm)
A simple bralette often uses narrower fold over elastic around the cup and neckline, with a wider elastic at the underbust band for added hold.
Use a stretch fabric such as cotton knit, jersey, or another soft fabric suitable for bralette sewing.
Place the fold over elastic along the raw edge, use the center crease as a guide, and sew with a zig-zag or stretch stitch.
Use 3/4" fold over elastic at the bottom edge for added support and a smoother finished band.
Fold over elastic can also be used for straps, depending on the style and the level of support you want.
Sew the cups, band, and straps together, then check the fit and make any small adjustments if needed.
Soft texture and gentle stretch help make finished garments more wearable throughout the day.
Fold over elastic finishes the edge as you sew, helping simplify construction.
The folded edge gives handmade bralettes a cleaner, more polished appearance.
Use it on simple lounge bralettes, longline styles, or custom boutique pieces.
Ideal for cup edges, necklines, underarm finishing, and lighter strap applications.
Shop 5/8" ElasticGreat for underbust bands, bottom edges, and bralettes that need a little more hold.
Shop 3/4" ElasticBest for longline bralettes, wider bands, and support-focused styles.
Shop 1" Elastic
3/8" Flat Strap Elastic
7/8" Flat Strap Elastic
It is a great choice for bralettes and soft bra styles where comfort and flexible support are the goal.
Yes. Fold over elastic is often easier to work with than separate trim and binding, making it a popular option for beginner-friendly projects.
Stretch fabrics such as cotton knit, jersey, and other soft knit materials are common choices for handmade bralettes.
Usually no. Narrower widths often work better on cups and edges, while wider widths are often better for the underbust band and support areas.
Choose the widths, colors, and quantities you need for comfortable, polished, handmade bralettes.
