I have just made some sheets fitted & the instructions say to sew 8 from the point with elastic, now I can never get the elastic to sit or stretch correctly what am I doing wrong? As well is it 8 of elastic or is it less but stretched to 8 ? cheers sandra

I have just made some sheets fitted & the instructions say to sew 8 from the point with elastic, now I can never get the elastic to sit or stretch correctly what am I doing wrong? As well is it 8 of elastic or is it less but stretched to 8 ? cheers sandra I would say it's 8 on the sheet, shorter elastic (5-6 in each direction) stretched. I don't know how you're sewing, but I would use a zigzag, a stretch needle, and pin the elastic in the middle and the ends. Take a few stitches and backtack, then hold the elastic stretched to the center pin and zigzag to there. Remove the pin, stretch to the end, and zigzag to the end, then backtack again. The elastic should be stretched pretty tight for this. Don't stitch over the pins! Hope this helps. BJ

I usually use more elastic: Cut a bit about 12 long.   Fold in half and mark the mid point. Pin mid point to corner on sheet. Stretch out the elastic as far as you can and pin it down to the sheet at either side of the mid point. Sew in place using a 3-step zigzag (if you have one: otherwise an ordinary zigzag will do), keeping the elastic taut and flat against the sheet, but without pulling it through the needle. Make sure you nail the ends down firmly! Last time I did this I used some of the miles of fancy bra strap elastic I'd thought was the useless item in a mixed bag from Croft Mill.  It was exactly the right shade of yellow!  Keep anything long enough...  It was so successful that I shall be using some white bra strap elastic from the same source when I do new sheets for our bed in the near future. Happy sewing! Kate  XXXXXX