Make your own panties tutorial

I've had a couple of emails and comments asking "how easy are those knickers to make?". I've also been asked where my ideas come from. In this case - which is typical - I was browsing ebay for a teflon foot and found a shop selling cute pink scalloped elastic. I thought it was sweet, and bought it on the strength of thinking what to do with it later. By the time it arrived, I had my idea.



I've made another pair and taken pics, so you can SEE how easy they are. This is a great way to use up your fat quarters (we all have them lying around don't we?)

As with all my tutorials, this is totally customizable (is that even a word?). This is my own work, so if you repost PLEASE link back to me, thanks!

To make the pattern.

We all have different preferences when it come to undergarments. Personally, because it's cold in Wales, I like mine to cover my bits. You could change this pattern to make them however you prefer.

Find a pair of knickers that your don't mind cutting up. Preferably ones with the elastic starting to go. We ALL have those, don't we? Cut the sides open and lay the fabric flat. Cut off the elastic if it helps. Pin the old knickers on some paper, I used a piece of newspaper for my pattern becuase it's cheap and you can use lots to make different variations. Now cut it out, and then try to see how it fits.

A good way is to pin to the underwear you are already wearing. I have saved you all the horror of pictures of these early stages. Adjust as necessary until you are happy with the basic shape. Then, fold the paper in half lengthwise and neaten all the edges off (so we get even curves on both sides of the pattern). You now have something like a bottom heavy hour glass.



Unfold and do a final check for fit.

To make the knickers.

Before cutting out, think about the fabric you are using. If you are using plain fabric, or one without an obvious "right" and "wrong" way up, proceed. If your fabric has a pattern with a right way up, you will need to split your pattern in half at the middle and cut out two sections (leaving a seam allowance), otherwise you'll end up with half of your design upside down.

For comfort I've added a gusset section. For obvious reasons, this should be cotton (not synthetic). You need to adjust this to fit your pattern, adding a 1cm seam allowance to each side. Mine was about 14cm by about 8cm.

Cut off the corners of the strip and fold all edges in, press and sew down with a continous line of stitching. Leave the needle in the "down" position when turning corners.



Pin in place on the wrong side of the fabric piece, and sew along the two long edges.




Attaching the elastic.

You'll make life a lot easier if you use a needle for stretch fabrics and a stretch stich on your machine. if you have an overlocker, even better.



Starting at one of the straight edges at the back or front, line up the edge of the elastic with the raw edge, on the right side of the fabric. Use a zig zag stitch to stitch the elastic to the edge of the fabric, catching the raw edge in the zig zag stitch. Pull the elastic slightly as you feed it through the machine, taking your time.
Then fold the fabric to the wrong side (so that the elastic is now decorative side out) and use a straight stitch to stitch in place (pulling the fabric flat as you do so).



Repeat for both top sides, and around the legs.


The edges should all be like this.

Measure 4 pieces of matching ribbon. In my case, I wanted the ties 30cm long, but I was using a ribbon that frays easily. You could either run some fray stop along the edge or, like me, use a double length so that both raw ends are encased in the side seam. Of course, you could also make your pattern so that you actually sew the side seams together at this point.

I cut 4x 60cms (so that I could double it over).

Line the raw ribbon edge with the raw side edge and fold over twice.





This traps the ribbon in the side seam. Pin in place and sew a couple of layers of stitching along the side seam for strength.



Now parade around your bedroom in your funky new knickers.


**********UPDATE*************

I was asked if I used stretch fabric for the main part, and here is my answer.

No, I just used cotton. I do have some T shirt fabric that I mights have a play with. Without wanting to sound too rude about it, if you have a "larger" bottom (like my big fat thing!) don't stretch your elastic so tightly so it doesn't make them baggy. I suggest having a play with some leftovers if you're unsure. Have fun.

Pants!

... is what I felt like when I woke up this morning too early. I've been getting steadily worse throughout the day.
(I should explain to our non-British audience that as well as meaning "panties/underpants", "pants" also means "rubbish" (as in "not good", as opposed to "trash" ) phew!)

So, after spending most of the morning pretending that I'm seriously thinking of moving to France and looking at houses like this, and doing lighter cleaning tasks, I decided to do something more fun and made these.



Although they are, of course, rather nice and not pants at all.



They were really easy to make and I will happily supply details (although I'm sure it's easy enough to work out).

The Anna Tunic

I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of March's U-Handbag Amy Butler contest winners, and as my prize I chose the Anna Tunic from the range.



Over Easter, I've been having a little play with it. It's always a good idea to trace out your pattern onto tissue or tracing paper so that you can make adjustments to it without spoiling your expensive pattern pieces - I like fabri-baste. I always make a "test" item first too, before using my more expensive fabrics. I used some donated fabric to test out the pattern - and it's still a really cute and wearable fabric.

Anyway, I made up the pattern as per the instructions and, before hemming, I tried it on. I had made the version that was between my size and the next size up, just in case. It's easier to make a garment smaller than bigger. Anyway, it was way too big so I redid the side seams.

It wasn't a very flattering cut for me because I'm getting curvier as I get older. To be honest, it looked like I was wearing a bag. It's not so long ago that at that point I would have said "oh this doesn't suit me" and put it away in a drawer. But now I know better.

I put the tunic on Mary II(my dress form), and marked where darts should go under the bust. I made these long darts that almost go to the bottom of the tunic. I then gathered the back and pinned where it should "sit" on the waistline.



I used machine basting to do the darts (so I could check on me if it was a good fit), then sewed them when I was sure of the measurement.

To fix the back, I made a fabric strip 8" x 6" which I folded as I would a belt (press into the middle, fold in the sides and edges, then sew all around) and I put a buttonhole at each end. I then used my marks from earlier and tacked buttons in place on the tunic back (further apart than the length of the strip) then attached the strip. I then tried it on again and it's much better.


On this picture it looks like the buttons aren't straight, it's just the way I'm sitting!

I hope it does justice to the original. I just need now to make the alterations to my fabri-baste pattern and the next one will be entered into April's competition.

I've also made a skirt that just needs a little hand finishing, but I have a mountain of University work to do so it will have to wait.

Hope everyone had a great Easter and didn't pig out on too much chocolate.

Inspirational Crafts

I really ought to get myself one of those moleskines. Check out this for adorablesness! (Yes, I know that isn't a word!)

You can see more of Deb's wonderful designs here.

A load of Pollocks

Feeling a bit arty but don't want the mess?

Try this for a bit of time-wasting fun.

Mini Refashion - Sweater to vest

I didn't take a before shot of this one, because it was a spare of the moment re-do and I didn't think of it. This literally took 15 minutes to do.



My neighbour donated a big bag of scraps and amongst them was a jumper that was labelled a size 16 but had obviously had a little washing accident. When I tried it on, it fitted perfectly in the body but was way too short in the arms.

I cut off the sleeves (on the sleeve side, so the stitching around the arm hole is intact and therefore won't fray), and added a little ribbon flower. And that's it!



To make the flower I used about 40 inches of thick silk ribbon (about 2"), ran a double length of thread along one edge and pulled the thread to make a gather. I then just rolled it loosely until I liked the shape and stitched it at the base. Then I stitched it to the top.



OK, it's a little short to wear on its own, but with this vintage style blouse underneath I think it looks great!