Shout Out to the Experts: Using Clear Elastic (to Stabilize a Neckline) with a Cover Stitch Machine

Hey y'all: I hope to make V1027 this weekend:

And to use my new coverstitch machine to its best advantage, in the process!

Here's my situation (and I haven't been able to find much out there on the topic):

I'd like to stabilize the neckline - which is sewn by simply turning the raw edge under and stitching (according to the directions).

My choice method would be to use 1/4 inch clear elastic (I love this stuff). Before I got the CoverPro, I'd have attached it with my serger, turned the hem under and top stitched with my regular machine. Now that I have the coverstitch machine, I'd like to use it to neatly coverstitch the neckline down.

As far as I can tell, using the serger to apply the elastic before coverstitching will result in a messy, bulky wrong-side with tons of looper thread (first the serger thread followed by the coverstitch thread). However, given how the coverstitch machine works (which I barely understand, admittedly), it seems like the coverstitch might not adequately catch the elastic as I'm stitching, if I don't first have it adhered to the wrong-side, raw-edge of the fabric (which is what the serging would do).

I've read that you can use iron-on adhesive (like Heat n Bond) to hold the elastic down between the layers of the turned up hem prior to coverstitching but, having never used this product, I don't know how I'd go about it.

I suppose I could also simply use knit stay tape, instead of clear elastic, to give the edge a bit of ballast before coverstitching, but I sense that will leave the neckline vulnerable to stretching in the long run.

And, natch, I could just forgo the coverstitch on the neckline, in favour of my serger method (though my new Husqvarna doesn't seem to love top-stitching stretch fabric - at least not yet).

So, here are the questions:

• Is there a tutorial to show how to attach 1/4 inch elastic to a turned under hem using a coverstitch machine? OR Is there no way to do this reliably?

• Can you use the clear elastic with the coverstitch machine by applying iron-on adhesive first and, if yes, how exactly?

• Do you think that knit stay tape (like fusible interfacing in a strip) will do the trick?

• Is the serger method the best way to go? (I really want a stunning double top stitch on the neckline and that's a crap shoot with my regular machine.)

Oh, and while I'm at it:

• I understand that V1027 is designed for a 2-way knit (only). My intention is to use modal with 4 way stretch (having very good recovery). If anyone else has made it using 4-way stretch fabric, can you confirm that the pattern works? If it doesn't, pls. do tell me now!

Thanks all for any feedback you might be able to provide. I'm a bit in the dark here...