Flat Elastic

High Quality Flat Elastic Cords

Flat elastic, also sold as flat elastic cords, are a reliable stretch every maker needs for dressmaking, lingerie, children’s wear, facemasks, and a wide range of haberdashery and craft projects. At Realm Wholesale, we stock essentials in widths from 1mm to 150mm and offer cut-to-length options for retail use, as well as complete production runs. Available in neutral colours, these black-and-white flat elastics are made from rubber, cotton, and polyester blends for good stretch and recovery. We offer competitive pricing across the range, with some widths starting at £0.49. For bulk discounts, speak to our specialists or browse our flat elastic collection for sizing and ordering options.

Contact us for wholesale orders

Popular Uses of Our Flat Elastic

  • Waistband and Children’s Clothing

    Our flat elastic is a staple for waistbands in baby wear, children’s trousers, and joggers because its low profile and soft hand sit comfortably against delicate skin. At Realm Wholesale, we offer various widths, the narrower ones are perfect for smaller garments, and the wider options are ideal for older children or relaxed fits. The correct width helps the elastic distribute tension evenly so the garment stays put without digging in. Our flat elastic cord offers good recovery after repeated stretching and washing, which is particularly important in children's clothes.

  • Face Mask and PPE

    Flat elastic cords work exceptionally well for masks, ear loops and head straps because they lie flat and reduce pressures behind the ears, improving comfort during extended wear. Smaller diameters are gentle yet secure, while slightly wider bands give a softer feel for heavy masks. Choose neutral colours, such as white or black, and flat elastic to match standard fabrics. Flat elastic cords also tolerate repeated washing better than most of the round cords, making them the right choice, when you are looking for durability.

  • Lingerie and Swimwear

    In lingerie and swimsuits, a flexible flat, elastic that retains stretch but lies flat is essential for a comfortable finish. At Realm Wholesale, we offer flat elastic cords that provide a gentle give, which is a must for swimwear linings to avoid creating lumps or visible ridges under the lightweight fabrics. When using flat elastic for lingerie or swimsuits, use a stretch or narrow zigzag stitch, and secure the ends into seams or casings to ensure a clean, even appearance.

  • Sportswear and Activewear

    A wider, flat elastic cord works well for sportswear, waistbands, cuffs, and hems, as it provides stability and distributes loads without restricting movement. It performs well where garments require even tension, and the elastic’s flat profile avoids chafing during repeated motion. We offer a robust rubber core and a tighter weave for heavy-duty applications to reinforce edges and help the elastic retain shape through training cycles. Our flat elastic cords are made with stretch-friendly threads, and the recovery after washing remains intact, keeping the garments performing as designed.

  • Homeware and Craft

    Our flat elastic is versatile for homeware and craft projects, as it can be used for cushion ties, removable covers, elasticated pocket openings, and simple fastenings on slipovers. These elastic cords are flat, making them unobtrusive, so that covers sit smoothly and removal is also easy. Crafters also use black flat elastic and white flat elastic as a functional trim on bags, aprons and organisers. When using a flat elastic band for sewing in your homeware or craftwork, anchor it into seams to keep the finish neat. We offer pre-cut lengths that can be handy in kits, making assembling multiple home projects faster and less wasteful.

Flat Elastic FAQs

What is flat elastic?

Flat elastic is a woven or knitted elastic strip with a flat profile, used in clothing or craft projects that require stretch. It is also used in waistbands, mask loops, lingerie and other similar products. At Realm Wholesale, we sell it by width and by cut length. 

How do you choose the correct width?

Choose narrow elastic from 3mm to 10mm for facemasks and light garments. Use the wider ones, sized at 20mm to 50mm for waistbands and sportswear, as they need broader support. You may also check out our flat elastic listings to find the perfect width or even enquire with our specialists.

Can you machine wash flat elastics?

Yes, you can, as the rubber, cotton and polyester blends are designed to tolerate regular washing, but test first and avoid high-heat tumble drying where possible to preserve elasticity. 

Does Realm Wholesale offer bulk rolls?

We at Realm Wholesale offer both retail and trade quantities. Check our product variants for longer cut lengths. Our largest variant is 150mm; for bespoke trade packs, contact our team today.

What Are Flat Elastic Used For?

At Realm Wholesale, our flat elastics are flexible strips used when a neat, comfortable stretch is needed. It’s ideal for dressmaking, lingerie, children’s wear, facemasks and a wide range of haberdashery and craft projects.

It adapts easily from waistbands, cuffs, and casings to mask ear loops, drawstrings and trims. The narrow widths suit delicate hems, whereas the wider bands work well for waistbands and stabilising panels.

The neutral colours and finish add both function and style, blending with garments and craft kits. Easy to cut, stitch and launder, our flat elastics are the right choice for stitching, crafting, sampling, repairs and small production runs.

Benefits Of Buying Flat Cords From Us

  • Sample-Friendly and Wholesale Options

    Buy short, cut-to-length flat elastic pieces for prototyping or choose trade cuts for a production run, as we at Realm Wholesale understand your requirements and help you buy exactly what you need. This flexibility reduces waste and upfront cost, speeds up production turnaround and makes it easy to order multiple bespoke pack sizes without committing to large industrial reels.

  • Clear Variants and Transparent Pricing

    Our flat elastics are listed with detailed information, including width, colours, and length options. We also offer transparent pricing so you can quickly calculate material costs. Clear SKUs and variants pricing simplify comparisons for pattern cutting or batch orders, helping you estimate quantities and budget accurately. Pages also display per-metre and per-piece prices, making costing simple for single projects and recurring purchases.

  • Experienced Haberdashery Support

    Realm Wholesale is a family-run business specialising in haberdashery and craft items, offering experience-based advice on choosing the right flat elastic for any project. Connect with our team, as they can recommend widths, blends and finish options for babywear, lingerie or sportswear, helping makers avoid common mistakes and select quantities that match production needs.

Trusted Supplier For Flat Elastic

At Realm Wholesale,  we supply a selection of flat elastic cords for tailored and trade customers who need reliable, ready-to-use materials. As a UK-based wholesale supplier, we carefully curate durable flat elastic in a range of widths and neutral shades so that our customers can find the right options.

Take a look at our collection, and if you need support, get in touch with our specialist. Our team can recommend the correct width, finish and stretch as per your requirements.

We refresh our range to match demand and make ordering simple, with prompt dispatch so your projects keep moving. From short cut lengths for craft and prototypes to larger trade cuts for production, our product pages list clear variants and pricing to match your needs. We also provide responsive support for trade enquiries, sample orders and a tight turnaround.

Get in touch