Replies

1. 
   KWertz | Apr 15, 1999 06:47am | #1

   *
   I have recently made several pairs of panties, using a Stretch & Sew pattern. It would be easy to cut a higher waist or whatever other adjustment you may need. It is a fun project and you can get quite a few pairs out of a yard of tricot.

1. 
   Jan | Apr 16, 1999 01:19am | #2

   *I must have made about a dozen pairs when I was in college. They were pretty fast and easy, especially with lingerie elastic, which was readily available at that time (late '60s & early '70s) in many colors. I also used nylon thread. I can easily find YLI brand lingerie and bobbin thread now, but only in black and white. Go ahead and give it a try. I don't sew any now because with limited time I prefer to spend my time on things that I can show off.

1. 
   bettyw_ | Apr 16, 1999 03:46am | #3

   *How much difficulity is it to add lace? What is YLI? One friend suggested that I glue the lace on with white glue then sew it on. The glue will wash our. Is this true? Most of my experience is with sailing type stuff and skirts

1. 
   KWertz | Apr 18, 1999 07:47pm | #4

   *Lace is easy. Just sew the lace on the flat pieces before you assemble the panties. I don't think glue would be necessary, just pin the lace in place and go. I have used the wider lingerie lace that is flat and you can cut out pieces of the lace. Just use a wider zig-zag stitch and the same color thread as the lace and stitch it in place. You can still get the tricot and lingerie elastic from several mail order sources in varous colors (Kieffers is one source) and found white and black lingerie elastic in JoAnns. Remember your fit will be different if you are using a two way stretch or if you use a four way stretch. But since you can get so many pair of panties out of a yard and the project only takes about 40 minutes, you can play with the pattern adjustments.

1. 
   Frecia_Kelly | Apr 20, 1999 02:15am | #5

   *I make all my panties as well as many for friends. They are fast, easy, quite cheap, and my friends love getting them for Christmas. some even get upset if I try to get creative and do something else. Once you get the fit right....they are no-brainers. I have a machine set up in front of the t.v. and when I watch t.v. I make panties. By now I don't have to concentrate too hard on them. I cut out many at a time and put them in marked ziplock bags for the size along with cut elastic and lace. I have lots of sources for supplies if you need them.Frecia

2. 
   Mama_Nell_ | Apr 20, 1999 09:01am | #6

   *do give the panties a try...they are super easy.. first ones I made were from a store bought pair that were about gone and I carefully ripped them up for a pattern..later I bought a book on making undies that has good patterns....I use tricot for the OUTSIDE crotch piece and light weight Tshirt material for the INSIDE piece..good luck

3. 
   Ginna | Apr 21, 1999 12:05am | #7

   *This sounds very interesting. I've been having trouble finding what I like in RTW. I like cotton or cotton blend G string bikinis (not high cut leg) with a wide elastic at the top in RTW size 7. Where can I find appropriate patterns, fabric, elastic, and a good book on making panties as I like them? TIA

4. 
   bettyw_ | Apr 21, 1999 01:01am | #8

   *I have sent several letter to many of the major makers of lingerie asking them about doing a survey of women. Asking them about what they like and will wear as opposed to what they are buying. My feelings based on conversation with women of my age is that they would like some thing that fits and has some attention to detail like lace etc. It appears to us that if you want comfort, it is white and plain.

5. 
   Jen_Donnelly | Apr 21, 1999 01:58am | #9

   *BettyW- that's a very interesting point. Underwear is a lot like shoes. Just because we bought a particular item or style doesn't mean we like it, we often have to settle on something we don't hate as much as the other choices. If manufacturers ever really made something we wanted, I think they'd be amazed at the sales numbers!

6. 
   LZHamilton | Apr 22, 1999 04:04am | #10

   *I am desperately looking for a web site where I can order lingerie fabric. I can search out some fabric here, but it is not good quality. Does anyone have any advice. Have lingerie thread, needles, etc.: Just need the fabric and elastic.

7. 
   Eve_Benoit | Apr 22, 1999 05:36pm | #11

   *A good source for lingerie patterns and book is Kwik-Sew (www.kwiksew.com). Their catalogue has plenty of styles, and their book has a few patterns too.Two sources for lingerie fabrics and supplies: http://www.sewfancy.com (Canada) and http://www.sewsassy.com (U.S.).I have never thought about sewing panties, but after reading all these post, I might... sounds like fun and easy !

8. 
   Carol_Fresia | Apr 22, 1999 10:38pm | #12

   *I have placed an order with http://www.sewsassy.com, where you can get patterns, elastics, and fabrics. She has Kwik-sew for 20% off all the time, and I think there was a pattern including a g-string style. She carries a variety of fabrics, including tricots, and some lycra blends (cotton/lycra and nylon/lycra) for those of us who like a little extra stretch and/or support. I haven't gotten my stuff yet---I hope it arrives today since I happen to be home to receive the parcel!

9. 
   Ginna | Apr 23, 1999 12:36am | #13

   *Carol & everyone who responded to my post. Thanks.I knew about both sites but had not checked them out. I will do so know.

10. 
    Ane_Dutton | Apr 29, 1999 09:46pm | #14

    *I have made my underpants for many years. Full coverage white cotton knit or any light colored prints (my opreferance.) They wear well, aren't skimpy, and the cost savings is phenomenal. I make about 6 or more pair at a time.soannesew

11. 
    Stacey | May 17, 1999 08:16pm | #15

    *I've been wanting to do this for a while. I can find comfortable cotton by Fruit of the Loom, but now they're moving their production to sweatshops. Elastic and cotton/lycra are easy for me to find, but I'm a little insecure about technique. The nearest method I can think of is the one outlined in the swimsuit article in Threads last year. Also, the one Vogue underwear/bodysuit pattern tends to ride up uncomfortably. Are there any better patterns out there?

12. 
    Marilyn_M | May 17, 1999 09:52pm | #16

    *Thanks so much for the information. I just might try it. And speaking of lingerie, how hard could it be to sew a half slip!

13. 
    Carol_Fresia | May 18, 1999 01:52am | #17

    *I just made a pair of panties using a Kwik-sew pattern and they came out looking and fitting great. The pattern has easy instructions on applying elastic that give a nice-looking finish. The only problem is that for some reason the leg elastic stretched out quite a bit when I sewed it on, so this first pair isn't really wearable. I'm trying to figure out just what happened, because if I can solve this I'll be really happy and will make several more pairs. I used a nylon/lycra fabric and it gives a very nice, smooth contour.

14. 
    bettyw_ | May 18, 1999 07:27pm | #18

    *GEE! I didn't think there was this much interested in sewing panties. Thanks to everyone who has responded to the request. I hope we all got something out of it. I would still like to buy some tall well fitting one with lace every once in a while as a treat.

15. 
    Peg_Stallings | May 19, 1999 10:58am | #19

    *Some glues will stain tricot.I've always used Scotch Brand Magic tape to hold the lace in place. You can sew through it..won't gum-up your needle, and just peel it off when you're through sewing.