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Show Us Your Pants!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Well, it's certainly not everyday I show my undies (pants, underwear, panties (hate that name!), lingerie, unmentionables, smalls...) on the internet. But here we are.

Just before we left Sydney, I had a fraction of time left with my sewing machine and wanted to make something small and quick. I'd been meaning to give making my own undies a go for a little while now so off I went.

I used the Ohh Lulu Grace Hipster pattern, mostly because I was rather intrigued at the use of non-stretch woven fabric in the pattern. I have to admit, I don't think I've ever seen a pair of ladies underwear (that weren't boxers) made with non-stretch woven fabric before. Would they actually be comfy?


I made the lavender and white pair as my test muslin. The lavender came from the remnants of my 60s Vogue Wrap dress and the white is some stretchy t-shirt cotton I've had sitting around for a while. This pattern uses a mix of stretch and non-stretch fabrics, so it's perfect for using up those little scraps of fabric that aren't big enough for much else.

I have to be honest here guys, I'm not sure the woven cotton works that well where it's placed in the centre of the pattern. Perhaps I used a heavier fabric than I should have, the pattern does state that any non-stretch woven fabric is suitable, but perhaps something like a cotton lawn would have been better? The problem is that when you hem the, erm, crotch area, it gets a little bulky and well, a little rough.

For my second pair, I used a much softer navy jersey for the centre (scraps left over from my first Vogue 40s Travel dress) and a cream stretch lace for the side inserts. I also cut the crotch area a bit smaller and instead of hemming it as the pattern suggests, I zigzagged stitched on some of the stretch lace I had used for the waist band. I also decided not to overlock the seams to reduce the bulk.

Gosh, who knew making undies could be so complicated?


Personally, I think I'll stick with knits for making underwear for the time being. It's probably that I'm just not used to wearing non-stretchy fabrics down there because as it turns out, I like to move around a lot and need, well, freedom! Though in saying that, I have found another pattern for undies made completely from non-stretch woven fabric. So, maybe I should give them another go...?

Have you guys made undies from non-stretch fabric before? Did they work for you?

xx
Jen

Back...

Monday, November 25, 2013

Hey everyone, I'm back!

What an amazing 7.5 weeks it has been - I almost can't believe we were away for that long or that we are back already (and that it's nearly Christmas. I'm just not ready for Christmas yet).

We ate far too much pizza and pasta in Italy, and far too many English Cream Teas in the UK, we met some amazing people (including a number of fellow sewists!) and we walked and explored until our feet hurt.

Now I get to unpack the loot I found including vintage knitting and sewing patterns, silks from Goldhawk Road and wools from Edinburgh, vintage glass buttons and vintage skirts... Oh, and I get to catch up with my feedly feed. I could be a while...

I'll be back this week with a few sewing projects I finished before we left that I didn't get a chance to write about. Talk soon,

xx
Jen

Hey London!!

Thursday, November 7, 2013


Calling all London Dwellers!!

Do you want to come fabric shopping with myself and Elisalex (of By Hand London fame)? Well, you can!! We are doing a Goldhawk Road fabric shopping trip next Friday 15th of November at 1pm.

I know it's a school day for many of you, but if you can come, I'd love to meet you. It will be my last day in the UK as David and I will be flying out to Sydney the following day.

There are already a few of us coming (thanks Instagram!), so please send me an email if you are interested in joining the gang - jenniferlauren.is@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing/meeting you!

xx
Jen

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