Clothing treasures do need repair help, especially when they are of good material and great style.
Two of my favorite summer shorts have waistbands stitched with elastic thread which has finally lost it's rebound!
I plan first to look at elastic thread to restitch the waistbands. My older sewing machine might not be friendly to elastic thread.
I might just add an inside second waistband to the shorts, using new elastic and some liner fabric for the inner waistband.
Hopefully the fabric store clerks in the city nearby might help.
Liz Dragoon, September 2008