skirt making questions

[opulent-jezebel.livejournal.com]

hi,this is my first time making skirts,and I have some questions for you more experienced clothes makers.what is the best type of elastic to use on skirts? right now i'm using 1/4 wide elastic,but if there is any better type,let me know.Do I make the skirt according to exactly how wide my waist is,or do I make it a few inches smaller or bigger for the elastic? Also,I'm going to be using some pretty heavy duty stuff to make skirts (it feels like denim,but its not),how do I sew the elastic in to make sure it holds my skirt up? with my first one,I just sewed some fabric over the elastic,and that skirt is holding up pretty good,but the back part seems a little more stretched out than the front for some reason.any advice would help! merci!