Nude Elastic Straps DIY – professional-looking dance costume straps

I get costume design inspiration from all kinds of dance (and non-dance) costumes.

 

Now just the other day I was looking at ballroom dance costumes on Pinterest, and I got inspired to create an armband with nude elastic.

 

Nude elastic is used often in dance costumes, and I love how it gives a light feel while keeping things in place. Perfect for the Summer Costume series (see part 1: Perky Ruffles and part 2: Drape Sleeves)!

 

I searched around online to see how people make it, and I couldn’t find much information about it. Some people just find nude colour elastic, but to me, bare elastic does not look professional or feel reliable. Other people cover elastic with nude colour fabric, which sounded more promising to me!

 

So I’ve experimented and here’s what works for me. Whether you want to create light-feel armbands or leg accessories or even bra straps, nude elastic will come in handy for dance costume making. Let’s get started!

 

Watch the video:

 

 

Click here to learn how to make Swirly Belt!

 

To make nude elastics, you need:

Elastic – you can use any size. I’m using 1/2in (1cm) wide elastic.
Nude fabric – 4 way stretch fabric is better, but 2 way stretch works too. 1/4yd (1/4m) is more than enough.
Safety pin
Regular sewing tools (See my recommended tools on the Resources page)

 

 

How to Make Nude Elastic

 

First cut elastic into your desired length.

 

Then cut nude fabric into a rectangle that is the same length as the elastic piece, and the width should be twice the elastic width plus 1/2in (1cm) seam allowance. The direction of the stretch should be parallel to the long edges.

 

 

Fold the fabric in half, right sides together, and stitch with a zigzag stitch or another type of stretch stitch with a 1/4in (5mm) seam allowance.

 

 

Using a safety pin, turn the tube inside out.

 

 

Insert the elastic into the tube using the safety pin. Hold the end with a pin or clip, and distribute the fabric evenly. Since the fabric stretches, there may be excess fabric. You can just trim that.

 

 

Zigzag stitch the ends to secure the elastic at a very short stretch length. I used 1mm.

 

 

And the nude elastic is finished! You can add it to an applique to make an armband or leg accessory. You can add sparkles to the nude elastic by gluing on rhinestones. Gluing on rhinestones at intervals like this allows for the elastic to stretch, so the stones won’t pop and fall off. You can see how to glue on rhinestones in my other tutorial here.

 

 

Now enjoy creating accessories or costumes with the nude elastic. If you want a light colour costume for summer, nude colour is perfect for that.

 

 

And if you’re curious about these curly, sparkly appliques which I’ve been showing you the last few weeks, you can now make your own in my brand new premium course, Swirly Belt & Appliques! 😀

 

If you are tired of the same old belt pattern and you want to create a more unique, designer-looking belt, my course, Swirly Belt & Applique, is live now, and you can learn more here.

 

Imagine making your own this weekend, and by next month you’ll be dancing in your own Swirly Belt while other dancers watch you enviously. 😉 Check it out at learn.sparklybelly.com/swirlybelt.

 

 

Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling! 😀