Tutorial: repairing the elastic adjustment of a rain jacket

Most of our waterproof jackets are designed with adjustment elastics at the hood and waist, so you can adjust them to suit your body type and needs. They're practical and easy to use, but can sometimes get damaged with use. Like all parts of a garment, an elastic band can wear out and the stitch holding it in place can pop.

To be ready to repair it if this happens to you, we've put together a little repair tutorial on how to sew your elastic back in place.

5-STEP DIY: HOW TO REPAIR YOUR RUBBER BAND

Here's what you need:

• your adjustment elastic
• its stopper buttons (used to lock it in place at your preferred length)
• your hood

PUTTING ELASTIC BACK INTO A HOOD

Step 1: fold the elastic so that both sides are the same size, and make sure to keep the first stopper at the end of the elastic (where it's folded). Reinsert the elastic through the dedicated hole to bring it out the other side of the hood and recover both ends (so you can thread the second stopper later).

Step2: now that both ends of your elastic are coming out of one of the holes in your hood (and the other side is blocked by a stopper), you can thread your second stopper onto one end of the elastic.

Step3: join the two ends of your elastic and roll them into a small rectangle of fabric.

Step4: then sew this piece of fabric to the elastic so that the two ends are joined again and become one! We use a sewing machine, but you can do it just as well with a simple needle and thread 😉

Step 5: put the elastic back in place, hiding the re-sewn part inside the raincoat. Nobody's seen a thing!

Find the detailed elastic repair tutorial right here :

PUTTING ELASTIC BACK ON THE WAIST

For the waistband, we follow pretty much the same steps as for the hood tightening elastic. Only, instead of sewing it back on with a square of fabric, you can sew the elastic directly onto the raincoat! Since it's on the inside, it won't show 😉

Step 1: reinsert the broken elastic into the dedicated space at the waist of the raincoat.

Step2: sew the elastic directly onto the raincoat, using 5 or 6 stitches. And be sure to sew both ends together!

You'll find the elastic repair tutorial video right here :

After that, your elastic waistbands will be as good as new! And no need to call in another person to repair them 😉